Gameday Saturday: the bulk of College Football kicks off the 2016 season!

MSU senior WR 88 Monty Madaris breaks out in home
opener, as Spartans open with 28-13 win over Furman.

Cedar Rapids, IA --- The Big Ten moved to 3-0 on Friday night of Week 1, as the defending Big Ten champion Michigan State Spartans (1-0) defeated Furman 28-13, in a mistake filled game for the favorites. In Iowa high school football, Cedar Rapids Washington blanked the cross-town rival Cedar Rapids Kennedy 21-0 to move to 2-0 on the 2016 season.

Now, we turn to Gameday Saturday, on September 3rd. Our preseason rating are a composite from Stassen.com to kickoff the 2016 College Football season ...

• Boston College vs. Georgia Tech (Dublin, Ireland) 6:30 am on ESPN2 - an ACC - a battle of two 3-9 programs in 2015, kicks off the ACC inter-division match in Dublin, as these two team meet for the first time, since 2012, when the Yellow Jackets defeated the Eagles 37-17 ... 
• #29 Boise State at Louisiana Lafayette 11:00 am on ALT / SNY / (CSMA / CSCA / NESN+) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - after meeting for the first time in 2014, the Ragin' Caguns host the return match, in this Sun Belt-MWC game in a soaked filled Louisiana ...
• Bowling Green at #4 Ohio State 11:00 am on BTN - the Buckeyes only return 6 starters from a 12-1 team, while the Falcons return 11 starters from a 10-4 team in the debut of new coach Mike Jinks, as the former RB coach at Texas Tech fills the new role, where Ohio State's Urban Meyer began his highly successful coaching career as a head coach ...
• Eastern Kentucky at Purdue 11:00 am on ESPN News - the Boilermakers enter coach Darrell Hazel's fourth season, with new coordinators on each side of the football, coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, only 6-30 overall, as the Colonels are coming off a 6-5 season in FCS ...
• Fordham at Navy 11:00 am on CBSSN -the Midshipman finished 11-2, including a 44-28 Military Bowl win over Pitt, in Year 1 in the AAC in 2015, while the Rams finished 9-3 in FCS play and are ranked #20 in the preseason FCS ratings ...
• Hawaii at #8 Michigan 11:00 am ESPN - the Rainbow Warriors (0-1) were opening the 2016 in Australia only a week ago, in a 51-31 loss to Cal (1-0) ... so, the air miles already may make the kickoff against the Wolverines an even taller hurdle, as Jim Harbaugh enters Year 2 at the helm, coming off a strong 10-3 first season!
• #19 Houston vs. #3 Oklahoma (Houston) 11:00 am on ABC - one of the top Power 5 programs faces off with the nation's top returning non-Power 5 to kickoff the 2016 season in a showdown in NRG Stadium ...
• Howard at Maryland 11:00 am on BTN - the D.J. Durkin era kicks off in College Park, as Michigan's former DC, takes over the Terrapins program coming off a 3-9 record ... the Bison were only 1-10 in FCS play!
• Missouri at #34 West Virginia 11:00 am on FS1 - a SEC-Big 12 showdown from Morgantown, as Tigers, off a 5-7 season, welcome Barry Odom as head coach, against Mountaineers program coming off 8-5 season, as they enter the 6th season under Dana Holgorsen!
• South Alabama at #36 Mississippi State 11:00 am on SECN - the Bulldogs enter the 8th season under Dan Mullen, coming off a 9-4 season, as they turn the keys over to a new QB, while the Jaguars are coming off a 5-7 season out of the Sun Belt ...
• #44 Western Michigan at #43 Northwestern 11:00 am on ESPNU - the Broncoes are coming off a bowl win over Middle Tennessee and a 8-5 season, as P.J. Fleck enters his 4th season at the helm, while Pat Fitzgerald enters his 11th season at the Wildcats coming off a 10-3 season, and a tough 45-6 Outback Bowl loss at the hands of Tennessee ...
• Liberty at Virginia Tech 11:30 am on ACC Network - the Hokies off a 7-6 record kick off the Justin Fuente era, the first game, since 1986, where Frank Beamer isn't leading VA Tech ...
• Rutgers at #16 Washington 1:00 pm PAC-12 Network - the Chris Ash era begins for the Scarlet Knights, as Rutgers hits the road to kick off 2016, as Chris Peterson, enters Year 3 in Seattle, coming off a 7-6 campaign and a 44-31 win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl over Southern Miss!
• Kent State at Penn State 2:30 pm on BTN - the unranked Nittany Lions enter Year 3 under James Franklin coming off back to back 7-6 seasons, as the Golden Flashes come into Happy Valley off a 2-9 season, as Jay Hopson takes over the helm for Kent State ...
• #6 LSU vs. #31 Wisconsin (Green Bay) 2:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Tigers and Badgers kick off from Lambeau Field, as LSU welcomes the former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to the sidelines, in a rematch of the 2014 opener, as coach Paul Chryst enters his 2nd season at the helm for the Badgers ...
• Miami-OH at #18 Iowa 2:30 pm on ESPNU - it has been 13 years, since the Redhawks and Hawkeyes kicked off a season at Kinnick Stadium, as Iowa is coming off a 12-2 season and Miami a 3-9 year ...
• Murray State at Illinois 2:30 pm on BTN - the Lovie Smith era kicks off in Champaign, as Smith returns to the college game, after two decades in the NFL ...
• Southeastern Louisiana at #20 Oklahoma State 2:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - the Cowboys are coming into the 12th season under Mike Gundy, as junior QB Mason Rudolph likely becomes the full-time starter at the position ...
• Texas State at Ohio U 2:30 pm on CBSSN - Frank Solich enters his 12th season leading the Bobcats, coming off a 8-5 campaign, while the Everett Withers takes over the Bobcats from San Marcos coming off a 3-9 season ... as the battle of two Bobcat programs in this MAC-Sun Belt showcase in Athens today ...
• #21 UCLA at #28 Texas A&M 2:30 pm on CBS - both programs are coming off 8-5 seasons and bowl losses, with each coach entering their 5th season at the helm, the Bruins and Aggies are 2-2 head to head, in the first meeting in College Station ...
• Louisiana Tech at #30 Arkansas 3:00 pm SECN - it is the fourth season in Fayetteville, as the Being Bret Bielema star, is coming off 3-9, 7-5 and now an 8-5 season; while the Bulldogs are coming off a 9-4 season, with a 2nd place finish in the C-USA West!
• UC Davis at #24 Oregon 4:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - the Ducks ended their double digit seasons at seven, after a 3OT loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl, as the Aggies arrive in Eugene, coming off a 2-9 season in FCS play ...
• #15 Georgia vs. #23 North Carolina (Atlanta) 4:30 pm on ESPN - the Bulldogs welcome the Kirby Smart era, after a 10-3 season and 24-17 win over Penn State in the Taxslayer Bowl; while Larry Fedora enters Year 5 in Chapel Hill coming off a strong 11-3 campaign, but Russell Athletic 49-38 loss to Baylor ...
• Rhode Island at Kansas 6:00 pm on (ESPN Extra / espn3) / Jayhawk TV Sacred - the Jayhawks were 0-12 in 2015, as David Beaty's first season included an FCS loss in the opener at the hands of South Dakota State ... the Rams were a 1-10 team in FCS in 2015, so opportunity knocks for the FBS Power 5 program, with only 12 wins, since 2010 ...
• San Jose State at Tulsa 6:00 pm CBSSN - both programs finished 6-7 last year, in this AAC vs. MWC showdown, in a series where the home team has a 4-2 record ...
• SMU at North Texas 6:00 pm on (CSBA / NESN+) / ASN Video - an AAC vs. C-USA showdown, in this off again, on again in-state rivalry, as the visitor has a seven game losing streak in the series ...
• Southern at Louisiana Monroe 6:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 - the first meeting among these LA state schools, as Matt Viator takes over the Warhawks' program coming off a 2-11 campaign, while the Jayhawks were 6-5 in FCS play ... the Warhawks are 6-0 lifetime in FBS vs. FCS meeting, so this one should be very interesting!
• Towson at #48 South Florida 6:00 pm on CSMA / espn3 / ASN - the Bulls enter Year 4 under Willie Taggart, coming off a 8-5, though a 45-35 loss vs. WKU in the Miami Beach Bowl; while the Tigers were 7-4 in FCS play in 2015 ...
• Southern Miss at Kentucky 6:30 pm on ESPNU - the Wildcats enter Year 4 under Mark Stoops, with back to back 5-7 seasons, while the Golden Eagles finished 9-5, after three straight losing seasons, winning only four games!
• UMass at #26 Florida 6:30 pm on SECN - this is the first meeting, as the Gators are coming off a 10-4 season, including a three game losing streak, with losses against Florida State, Alabama and Michigan. Earlier loss was @ LSU, so four solid program, as the Gators meet UMass for the first time!
• #1 Alabama vs. #14 USC (Arlington) 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Crimson Tide are 5-2 lifetime against the Trojans, with last meeting in the 1985 Aloha Bowl, when Alabama won 24-3. Former Bama secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt returns to Tuscaloosa to fill the vacant DC role in 2016 ...
• Eastern Washington at #35 Washington State 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - the Cougars and Eagles are meeting for the fourth time in the series, second in the modern era, as Washington State has always taken care of business against this FCS program, including a 24-20 win in 2012 ...
• Fresno State at #25 Nebraska 7:00 pm BTN - the Cornhuskers enter the second season under Mike Riley, coming off a disappointing 6-7 season, as the Blackshirts need to up game and the offense needs to avoid turnovers ...
• New Mexico State at UTEP 7:00 pm on beIN - a Sun Belt - CUSA showdown, as the Miners seek to land their eight straight against the Aggies down the road on I-10.
• Northern Iowa at Iowa State 7:00 pm on Cyclones.tv (cable IA) - the Cyclones welcome the Matt Campbell era, as Paul Rhoads exits after seven seasons in Ames. Last season, the Panthers fell 31-7, but won in 2013 28-20, as veteran Mark Farley's team took care of business in the FCS vs. FBS in-state rivalry. The Panthers are #5 in FCS chasing the five time FCS champion North Dakota State in the Valley!
• South Dakota State at #13 TCU 7:00 pm on FSN Affiliates - the first meeting between the preseason FCS #14 Jackrabbits and the #13 FBS Horn Frogs, who are coming off a 11-2 season and 47-41 3 ot win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl ...
• Stephen F. Austin at Texas Tech 7:00 pm on FSN Affiliates - the Red Raiders are coming off a 7-6 season in 2015; while the Lumberjacks were 4-7 in FCS play and are 0-2 in this series ...
• #2 Clemson at #37 Auburn 8:00 pm on ESPN - the Auburn Tigers own a 14-2 record in this series, but the Clemson Tigers have won two straight, including a 26-19 outcome in the 2012 season on a neutral field ...
• Arizona vs. #38 BYU (Glendale) 9:30 pm on FS1 - Rich Rodriquez enters his fifth season in Tucson, while the Cougars, coming off a 9-4 record, welcome Kalani Sitake era, as the former Utah and Oregon State DC returns to coach his alma mater ...
• Northern Illinois at Wyoming 9:30 pm on CBSSN - the first two seasons for Craig Bohl have ended in 4-8 and 2-10, quite the contrast from his winning ways leading North Dakota State to FCS titles; while Rod Carey has slipped off to 8-6, after 12-2 and 11-3 leading the Huskies to early MAC titles ...
• Northern Arizona at Arizona State 10:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - after back to back ten game win seasons, Todd Graham's Sun Devils fell to 6-7 in 2015; while the Lumberjacks were 7-4 in FCS play ... the FBS power has won nine straight in this series, including a 63-6 victory in the 2012 season opener!
• Abilene Christian at Air Force 1:00 pm on MWC Video / SLC Video / Livestream Video - the Falcons are coming off a 8-6 season in 2015, while the Wildcats were 3-8 in only their third season at the FCS level ...
• Alabama A&M at Middle Tennessee 6:00 pm on $CUSA Video - the Blue Raiders were 7-6 last season, while the Bulldogs were 3-8 in FCS play; it is the first meeting in this series, as sophomore QB Brett Stockstill leads his father's team, as Dad enters his eleventh season ...
• Alabama State at UTSA 6:00 pm on KMYS-CW 35 (cable) - the Hornets were 6-5 in FCS play, while the host Roadrunners were 3-9 in their fifth season in FCS play, as the Frank Wilson era kicks off in San Antonio ...
• Austin Peay at Troy 5:00 pm on espn3 - the Trojans are coming off a 4-8 season, in Neal Brown's first season leading the program; while the Governors come to down, with a 1-34 record the last three seasons, including a 0-6 record against FBS programs ...
• Florida A&M at #32 Miami-FL 5:00 pm on WatchESPN - the Hurricane welcome the Mark Richt era, coming off a 8-5 season; the Rattlers were only 1-10 last year in FCS play ...
• New Hampshire at #27 San Diego State 7:30 pm - coming off an 11-3 season, the Aztecs under Rocky Long are hoping to move up the non-Power 5 ladder and into a New Year's Bowl 6 game, if the right dominoes can fall in 2016 ... the Wildcats were 7-5 last season and have played in 12 straight FCS playoffs, the active leader, though #1 North Dakota State has won five straight titles ...
• NC Central at Duke 5:00 pm on WatchESPN - the Blue Devils won 55-0 last year, over the Eagles, who finished 8-3 in FCS, while Duke finished 8-5, including a 44-41 OT win over Indiana to close out 2015 ...
• Savannah State at Georgia Southern 5:00 pm on espn3 - the Eagles were 9-4 last season and have a 11-0 record in this series; while the Tigers were 1-9 last year in FCS ...
• SEMO at #45 Memphis 6:00 pm on espn3 - after a 10-3 season in 2014, the Tigers fell to 9-4, as Mike Norvell takes over the helm at Memphis, while the Redhawks were 4-7 last year in FCS ...
• South Carolina State at UCF 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Knights were 0-12 last season and have brought Scott Frost in, as OC at Oregon, to lead the program; the Bulldogs were 7-4 in FCS play last season, but lost in the only meeting in this series 17-0 in 2008 ...
• Southern Illinois at Florida Atlantic 5:00 pm on $CUSA Video - the Owls and Salukis each only won three games last season, in the FBS and FCS, respectively, as they meet for the first time in Boca Raton ...
• Villanova at #33 Pittsburgh 12:30 pm on WatchESPN - Pat Narduzzi lead the Panthers to a 8-5 season, two games better than previous year, in his first season as head coach; while the preseason #22 ranked FCS program, the Wildcats were 6-5 last year and looking to finish stronger ...
• VMI at Akron 5:30 pm on espn3 - the Zips were 8-5 last season, as Terry Bowden pulled off his first winning season and a 23-21 bowl win over Utah State, in his fourth season leading the MAC program; the Keydets were 2-9 in FCS play last year ...
• Western Carolina at East Carolina 5:00 pm on espn3 - the Pirates dropped to a 5-7 record in Ruffin McNeill's final season over six years, as Scottie Montgomery takes over the program, after serving as OC at Duke the past three seasons; the Calamount's were 7-4 in FCS, but they have lost seven straight in this series, last played in 1981 ...

Friday Night Lights, as Appalachian State's Thursday night bid for an upset falls short in OT

Cedar Rapids, IA -- The 2016 College Football season kicked off with the Sydney Cup in Australia, last Saturday, then a host of games on Thursday night, including a thriller in OT in Knoxville, as Tennessee.

In Australia, the Cal Bears defeated Hawaii' 51-31 in Week 0, played on Saturday. Week 1 officially kicked off on Thursday night and will run through Labor Day, which is the new norm in College Football.

Junior QB #11 Taylor Lamb lead the Mountaineers offense,
who lead for 40 minutes over the #7 rank Volunteers

Appalachian State University football came up one bounce of the football from upsetting 100,000-plus fans again. The game was played nine years to the day, from the win in 2007, in Ann Arbor. This time in Knoxville, against the same offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who coached at Michigan in 2007.

Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd recovered a Josh Dobbs' fumble in the end zone for the only score in overtime as the Volunteers held off a determined Appalachian State team on Thursday night in Neyland Stadium, 20-13.

Appalachian State (0-1) led for 40 minutes, never trailed in regulation, and held #7 Tennessee to 319 yards of offense, less than 300 in regulation. The Mountaineers outhit and outplayed Tennessee (1-0) for the first three quarters, leading 13-3 at half and holding the Vols out of the end zone until 10:30 left in the game. Tennessee scored 17 unanswered point to pull out the win on Thursday night.

Indiana opens 2016 with a road win, with a 34-13 win over
FIU, out of the Conference USA. IU's home opener is
next Saturday, when Ball State comes to Bloomington.

On Thursday night, the Big Ten Conference opened with 2 victories, as Minnesota defeated Oregon State 30-23 at home, while Indiana won on the road against FIU 34-13 in Miami. The Big Ten plays game three tonight, as defending Big Ten champion Michigan State kicks off the 2016 College Football season.

We fell short in our pick, for an upset in Knoxville on Thursday night. Here is a look at Friday night's action in College Football ...

Michigan State kicks off 2016 season
tonight against Furman.

• 
  
• Army at #46 Temple 6:00 pm on CBSSN - The Owls are looking to build on a six game winning streak, as Army comes to town tonight ...
• Ball State at Georgia State 6:00 pm on (CSNC+ / NESN+) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - in the first meeting last year, the Cardinals fell 31-19 at home during the mid-season ...
• Furman at #12 Michigan State 6:00 pm on BTN - the Spartans have won eight straight in the Mark Dantonio era and 17 straight overall in home openers, so very tall order for the underdog Paladins ...
• Colorado vs. Colorado State (Denver) 7:00 pm on ESPN - the Buffaloes took care of business 27-24 over the Rams last year, but in 2014, when it was a season opener, CSU took care of business 31-17 ...
• Northwestern State at #18 Baylor 6:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - a lot has taken place this off season in Waco and prior to the firing of Art Briles ... the Demons are the opening day opponent for the 2016 season under interim coach Jim Grobe at Baylor!
• Kansas State at #10 Stanford 8:00 pm on FS1 - Big 12 vs. Pac 12, as the Wildcats-Cardinal meet for the first time in series history ... the Cardinal are only 2-4 in season openers vs. Power 5 opponents!
• #47 Toledo at Arkansas State 8:00 pm on ESPNU - the Red Wolves are 0-4 vs. the Rockets, including last year's 37-7 game on the road, but Blake Anderson enters 3rd season for A-State, while kicks off Jason Candle era, after Matt Campbell bolted for Iowa State ...
• Albany at Buffalo 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Bulls are 5-7 in the series, but took care of business 51-14 last year, after the series was renewed, after being idle, since 1988 ...
• Cal Poly at Nevada 8:30 pm on Nevada Video / MWC Video - the Wolf Pack have won four straight, including a 63-0 blowout back in 1998 last meeting ...
• Colgate at Syracuse 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - the Orange have won 15 straight against the Raiders, ranked #16 in FCS ...
• MVSU at Eastern Michigan 5:00 pm on espn3 - the Eagles are 6-1 in home openers against FCS programs, like the Delta Devils. MVSU is 0-8 in previous meetings against FBS programs.

Our preseason rankings were compiled from Stassen.com. Yes, it looks like a good night for the home team.

For me tonight, it is time for a little Iowa high school football, as Cedar Rapids Washington hosts Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Kingston Stadium, in Week 2 of Class 4A, in this inter-district contest.

Kickoff Week in College Football, as we look at the Top 25 heading into the 2016 Season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- College Football heads into Year 3 of the College Football Playoff this week, with most programs kicking off, after last week's Sydney Cup played in Australia, featuring two non-ranked programs.  In 2015, Ohio State was the consensus pick in the Associated Press entering the season, after winning the first championship. Alabama lost to Ohio State in the first semi-final in 2014, but they rebounded in 2015, winning it all, while the Buckeyes were eliminated in Big Ten Conference play.

Ohio State won in 2014, then Alabama in 2015. Who is prime for 2016?

There is no consensus pick in 2016, but Alabama will get a lot of love and is picked in everyone's Top 4, but one preseason source. Relative newbie, Arena Fantastic doesn't have Alabama in the Top 4, after making the College Football Playoff each of the past two seasons. Arena Fantastic was #1 according to Stassen.com in overall preseason accuracy in 2015, overcoming Phil Steele for the first time, since 2012. Phil Steele has been the most accurate preseason magazine over the past 18 seasons.

Just about every program has certain questions heading into the 2016 season. 

• Whether it be a new QB, 
• Replacing players departing for the NFL or no longer in school,
• Other personnel or coaching questions,
• Challenging schedules,
• Even coaches on the hot-seat heading into 2016!

The Top 4 programs over the past 3 seasons, based on winning percentage:

1. Ohio State
2. Florida State
3. Alabama
4. Michigan State

In this year's preseason Top 25 polls, there are seven teams on everyone's list as a Top 25 program in 2016.

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio State
5. Florida State
6. LSU
7. Tennessee 

No Pac Ten teams are listed as a consensus Top 25 program, bu there are three SEC programs, two ACC programs, with a Big 12 and Big Ten program to fill out the list. In 2014, the list went ten deep, with someone not listing Alabama; while in 2015, the list went nine deep, with one preseason pick real good pick, not picking Auburn, who were on everybody else's Top 20, but fell to a 7-6 record in 2015.

In 2014, preseason #1 Florida State, #2 Alabama, #3 Oregon and #6 Ohio State all made the first College Football Playoff. 

In 2015, preseason #2 Alabama, #6 Michigan State, #14 Clemson and #21 Oklahoma all made the second College Football Playoff.

Who are the Top 9 in College Football that generally are underrated according to Stassen?

1. Boise State
2. Oregon
3. TCU
4. Kansas State
5. Michigan State
6. Iowa
7. Alabama
8. Arizona State
9. Wisconsin
10. Everyone else is typically overrated?

Most Common Overrated programs per Stassen: Texas and USC are tied for #1, dating back to 1989. Followed by: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Florida State, Michigan, Florida, LSU and Miami-FL. The next ten are: UCLA, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Clemson, Georgia, Washington, Penn State, Ohio State, West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Auburn and Colorado wrap up the list, since 1989.

Will we get three newbies again in 2016 in the College Football Playoff? 

With Clemson at #2 this season on Stassen's list, will the Tigers be this year's repeat?

Here are our thoughts on our preseason Final 4 for the 2016 College Football Playoff ...

1. Clemson - Since they are many people's #2, and the #2 preseason pick has reached it two years straight, we will start with the Tigers.
2. LSU -  after Clemson, we will stick with another team, with the Tigers' nickname, as LSU brought in a new defensive coordinator in 2016 ... defense wins championships and Alabama can't be there every year ... 
3. Oklahoma - Bob Stoops hasn't won a National Championship, since 2000. He and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa are now the two longest reigning head coaches in College Football today, at the same school. K-State's head coach took some time off, so he wasn't listed.
4. Iowa, Stanford ... well, the two Rose Bowl opponents are on the thought list, but we will choose Washington, since we have to pick a 4th. Yes, I would like to dream the Hawkeyes in the College Football Playoff, they came within inches in 2016. The Stanford QB is holding me off, with picking the defending Rose Bowl and Pac 12 champions in 2016 ...

We will us Stassen.com for our 2016 Preseason College Football poll ... all 48 programs! Some random thoughts, as we kickoff the 2016 College Football season!

1. Alabama - the Crimson Tide are the defending champions, so others will have to earn the Top spot in the Poll. I do believe they will not repeat in the College Football Playoff in 2016 ... 
2. Clemson - I would pick the Tigers to repeat and reach the Final 4 in 2016, as they open @ Auburn this weekend ...
3. Oklahoma - They will face a heck of schedule with Houston in the opener and OSU in Week 3, but they are clearly the favorite in the Big 12 and they could open 3-0 in the OOC ...
4. Ohio State - since Urban Meyer arrived in 2011, they have only lost 4 games, they may get through the Big Ten in 2016, but we would say losing 16 starters will likely be a huge hurdle, despite the six starters back, including QB J.T. Barrett's success in 2014 ...
5. Florida State - They are a serious candidate for the ACC title and the College Football Playoff, but we are giving Clemson the nod, based on the starting QB ...
6. LSU - Les Miles was on the hot seat in 2015, and his choice of defensive coordinator, matched with the possiblities on offense ... we believe the Tigers are a good choice to produce in '16!
7. Tennessee - the Volunteers are entering 2016 with 17 starters back, but they find ways to come up short, why is this season any different?
8. Michigan - Who is the QB for coach Jim Harbaugh?
9. Notre Dame - What do they say, when you have two quarterbacks? Look at Ohio State in '15 ...
10. Stanford - new QB at Stanford makes the Cardinal a quesiton entering 2016 ...
11. Mississippi - tough season opener in Orlando on Labor Day, plus they have to face the SEC West ... don't see them as top program in 2016!
12. Michigan State - the Spartans are a team capable of repeating in the Big Ten ...
13. USC - personally, I believe the Trojans should begin outside the Top 25, after last year's 7-6 season.
14. TCU - the Horned Frogs may be the best program to rain on the Sooners run in the Big 12 ...
15. Washington - we like the Huskies to sneak up and take the Pac 12 in 2016 ...
16. Georgia - new coach, often good recruits, but as many say, can new coach Kirby Smart "find that missing something" in Athens?
17. Iowa - a rematch of MSU-Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game is our choice in 2016 ...
18. Baylor - moving on out ... not a fan of Waco's program, even before the ax fell on the head coach!
19. Houston - the Cougars open 2016 with a great showdown with the #3 Oklahoma Sooners ... a win would be huge for the Top non-Power 5 program in 2015 and likely in 2016!
20. Oklahoma State - it will be a one QB system most likely in 2016 ...
21. Louisville - the Cardinals play in the same ACC division as Clemson and Florida State ... spoiler alert!
22. North Carolina - the Tar Heels can make some huge noise against Georgia in the season opener, if they can pull out the win ...
23. UCLA - the Bruins enter coming off a bowl loss to the Big Ten's Nebraska Cornhuskers ...
24. Oregon - the Ducks play in Week 3 at the Nebraska Cornhuskers 
25. Florida - they begin 2016, right where they ended 2015 ...
26. Nebraska - they may have a great offense, but will the Blackshirts live up to the tradition in 2016?
27. San Diego State - next program in, as the next highest rated non-Power 5 program in the race to New Year's Six ...
28. Boise State - not the program they once were, as 
29. Arkansas - Being Bret Bielema has had some interesting programs, as a son of a hog farmer in Illinois leads the Razorbacks in the SEC West ...
30. Texas A&M - host UCLA in the season opener in another Week 1 SEC vs. Pac 12 showdown!
31. Miami-FL - new coach, can the Hurricane make some noise in 2016?
32. Wisconsin - the Badgers face a challenging schedule with five AP Top 25 opponents, beginning with #6 LSU in the season opener at Lambeau, in Green Bay!
33. West Virginia - open the season hosting Missouri, which should be a good one!
34. Washington State - the Cougars improved in 2015 ... could they take a huge bump in '16?
35. Mississippi State - they have a new QB ... play in a very strong division!
36. Pittsburgh - rooting for the Panthers in the 2016 ACC Coastal race!
37. BYU - like 2015, the Cougars will make a trip back into Big Ten country with an October date @ MSU ...
38. Texas - open the 2016 season with a date at home with Notre Dame ... opportunity knocks for Charlie Strong's Longhorns!
39. Auburn - the Tigers open the season with Clemson at home ... talk about an opportuntiy to throw a wrench in the Top 4!
40. Utah - The opened 2015 with a win over Michigan and Jim Harbaugh ... a date with Southern Utah in the opener in 2016 doesn't have the same flavor to it!
41. WKU - seeking to carry the C-USA banner as the top football program ...
42. Appalachian State - They are looking for more wins, after a 12-2 record in 2015 out of the Sun Belt!
43. Northwestern - the Wildcats may be a sleeper in the Big Ten West in '16, and open against #44 Western Michigan in Evanston ...
44. Western Michigan - The MAC often schedule the Big Ten in the non-conference, with the Broncos opening at Northwestern, then travel to Illinois in Week 3 for the second B1G game ...
45. Memphis - after 9-4 last year, can the Tigers put up style points in trying to earn a bid as a new member to the Big 12 in the near future?
46. Temple - the Owls will be Penn State's opponent for Joe Paterno regonition day, during Week 3 of the College Football season ... can the Owls make it two straight over the Nittany Lions?
47. Toledo - Jason Candle is the new head coach, after a 10-2 season provides coach Matt Campbell, a promotion to Iowa State University ...
48. South Florida - the Bulls were 8-5 last year, but 6-2 in the AAC East ...

Ranking the Big Ten heading into the 2016 season ...

random thought!

1. Ohio State Buckeyes - while the Buckeyes fell short in 2015 at home, with a single loss, and they have only three starters back on each side the football; Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes are always the team to beat entering a football season in the Big Ten!
2. Iowa Hawkeyes - if the played Michigan State right now, I like the Hawkeyes chances, with 15 starters back from Iowa's 12-2 program. The schedule remains favorable, but there are plenty of tests that still will need to be completed, including a date with Michigan in Week 10.
3. Michigan State Spartans - the Spartans have been playing very well over the past three seasons, with plenty of positives in turnover margin, but they will have a target on their back, due to wins over Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten East, last season ...
4. Michigan Wolverines - everybody love Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines, as they jump Michigan State and Iowa in the polls. Who is the QB for 2016? Earn it! This program has not won a Big Ten title, since 2004 and it has been nearly a decade, since they were in the conversation for the Big Ten crown ...
5. Northwestern Wildcats - the Wildcats were outstanding in ten wins in 2015, including a season opener, against the Rose Bowl champs, Stanford; but, they were not competitive in losses @ Michigan, vs. Iowa and in the bowl game vs. Tennessee ...
6. Wisconsin Badgers - they have a challenging schedule and conventional wisdom would suggest that the Badgers may be headed for a fall in the Big Ten West standings ...
7. Penn State Nittany Lions - we enter Year 3 of the coach James Franklin and questions remain, as they shift to a spread offense in 2016, as they replace the other coordinator on the defensive side, as well.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers - the Mike Riley era began with a 6-7 season, including a bowl win over UCLA. The offense returns a lot of skill, but will the Blackshirts be championship worthy?
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers - the Tracy Claeys era will complete a full season in 2016, after he took over for the ill Jerry Kill mid-season. Explosive plays are the question on offense and on defense, as the retooling continues, coming off a 6-7 season.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini - the Lovie Smith era kicks off in Champaign, as QB Wes Lunt returns for his senior season. The Illini will look to be a spoiler in the Big Ten in 2016 ...
11. Indiana Hoosiers - Kevin Wilson has the Hoosiers coming off a bowl season, which is rare, with only three bowls in the past 25 or so years! Opener @ FIU tonight!
12. Purdue Boilermakers - Darrell Hazel has new offensive and defensive coordinators, as he enters Year 4 and a make or break season, most likely in West Lafayette!
13. Maryland Terrapins - the D.J. Durkin era begins, as the former Michigan defensive coordinator gets the full gig in College Park. The Terrapins play back to back road games in FL, with visits @ FIU and UCF, so only six home games for a B1G team, wow!
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - the Chris Ash era begins, as the Iowa native brings a Ohio State and Houston flavor to Rutgers ... he will open B1G play against his native state team, the Iowa Hawkeyes. He opens the season @ Washington, which should be a great test!

Thursday night kickoff of the 2016 College Football season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Well, here's our projected Final 4 for the College Football Playoff, we can dream, can't we, for the 2016 College Football gods can give a little love for the home team?

• Clemson
• LSU
• Oklahoma
• Stanford or Iowa (actually, I said Washington from the Pac 12, since the 2016 Rose Bowl is history) ...

It is hard to pick two from the same conference, but with the strength throughout the Pac 12 and Big Ten, we may see a chance for the ACC and SEC will argue for two programs from the same division, as the season plays out?

Now, a look at the first kickoff in Week 1, Thursday, September 1st : 

Rankings are from Stassen.com preseason consensus polls. Forty-eight teams were picked in at least one Top 25 poll heading into the 2016 College Football season.

Popular tradition in the State of Utah:
The Beehive Boot.

• Charlotte at #21 Louisville 6:00 pm on FSN Affiliates / (ACC-RSN) - The bottom of the C-USA East travels to take on the #3 projection in the ACC Coastal ... pick the favorite!
• Maine at UConn 6:00 pm on (NESN+ / CSCA) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Kirk Ferentz at Iowa got his first head coaching start at Maine in 1989. UConn coach Bob Diaco is a former Iowa player, so the Huskies should take care of business here! 
• #42 Appalachian State at #7 Tennessee 6:30 pm on SECN - Can the #1 choice in the Sun Belt upset the #7 ranked Volunteers ... is this 2007 and Ann Arbor ... we can only dream right?
• Indiana at Florida International 6:30 pm ESPNU - The Big Ten kicks off the 2016 College Football season, with two games on tap this evening. IU took care of business in Bloomington, but how will an early road test be for these Hoosiers? The Hoosiers are coming off a bowl season, for the first time, since 2007. FIU is picked #6 in the C-USA East ... 
• Rice at #41 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm on CBSSN - A conference opener against cross-division opponents in Conference USA ... Go WKU!
• South Carolina at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on ESPN - Kickoff the 2016 SEC East season for the Gamecocks and the Commendores in Nashville ... both teams are picked by many to fight it out for the cellar in the East!
• Southern Utah at #40 Utah 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - It is the battle for the Beehive Boot tonight in Utah ... well, not quite, since Southern Utah isn't BYU, Utah or Utah State, but they are the #23 program in the FCS heading into 2016 ...
• Montana State at Idaho 8:00 pm ALT / espn3 - Could this be a FCS upset over a FBS program tonight?
• Oregon State at Minnesota 8:00 pm on BTN - One talking head over at ESPN suggests the Golden Gophers could be the #1 team in 2016 in the Big Ten West race. The Beavers are picked for the cellar again in the Pac 12 North in 2016 ... Pac 12 vs. B1G!
• South Dakota at New Mexico 8:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM - Another, FCS vs. FBS match up ...
• Jackson State at UNLV 9:00 pm on on MWC Video - The Rebels need to win games against programs only receiving votes in the FCS ...
• Presbyterian at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas kickoff 2016 at home against an FCS program ...
• Tulane at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - Tulane is picked last in the C-USA West, while Wake Forest is picked second to last in the ACC Atlantic ahead of Syracuse ...
• UT Martin at Cincinnati 6:00 pm on espn3 -The Bearcats are picked #3 in the AAC East heading into 2016 ...
• Weber State at Utah State 7:00 pm on MWC Video / Twitter Video - Clearly, this would be a disappointing FCS upset over a middle of the road MWC Mountain opponent ...
• William & Mary at North Carolina State 6:30 pm on WatchESPN - A #10 FCS program against an ACC Atlantic program picked #4 in the division ...

College Football kicks off this weekend with a Week 0 game in FBS from Australia

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Time to kickoff the 2016 College Football season on August 26th, with a 9:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff on ESPN from Sydney, Australia. Neither program is a Top 30 team heading into the 2016 FBS season. The College Football Sydney Cup will offer a good Pac 12 vs. Mountain West showdown Down Under to highlight College Football ...

• Friday, August 26th
  California vs. Hawaii (from Sydney) on ESPN
  

The Golden Bears are coming off a 8-5 season, with a 55-36 win in the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl over Air Force, who blew out the Rainbow Warriors in conference play 58-7. Cal only returns nine starters from last season, while Hawaii' returns 15 starters from a 3-10 season in 2015.

Cal coach Sonny Dykes enters his fourth season at the helm for the Golden Bears. While for Hawaii', Nick Rolovich will be making his debut as head coach at his alma mater. The series between Cal-Hawaii' is tied at 2-2, with the last meeting in 1994.

On Saturday, in Fargo, the five time defending FCS champions will open at home. The Bison open the 2016 FCS season as the preseason number one.

• Saturday, August 27th
  Charleston Southern at North Dakota State
  6:30 pm on ESPN 

Iowa Hawkeye fans will likely be interested in this one, with the Bison coming to Iowa City on September 17th. North Dakota State opened in Week 0 on the road in 2015, with a disappointing defeat at Montana. The Bison should take care of business in the opener at home against defending Big South champion. More on the match up ...

We will breakdown the 2016 season a little more, as we approach Week 1 ...