Week 0 notebook
EIGHT GAMES.
EVERY REAL ANGLE.
Who's new, who came back, what changed on the sideline and how it should shape the game. Then we deal with the number.
North Carolina vs. TCU
The international opener creates enough travel and early-season variance to make the current number difficult to attack.
San José State at USC
The cleaner way to express USC's talent advantage is through its scoring ceiling rather than a five-touchdown spread.
NC State at Virginia
Virginia's roster transition and NC State's preferred game shape point toward a slower, possession-driven opener.
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State
The Fargodome and NDSU's line-of-scrimmage identity create a real home edge, but price discipline matters.
Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan
An FBS transition, long travel and an experienced EMU offense favor control more than a track meet.
Hawai'i at Stanford
Availability is the handicap. Hawai'i's offensive ceiling changes materially with Pofele Ashlock's status.
New Mexico State at Florida State
Florida State should control the game, but the spread asks for margin long after the competitive portion may be over.
Memphis at UNLV
The full-game total respects both offenses, but the first half offers protection against late tempo and overtime.