College Football Week 0 Preview: Florida State and Georgia Tech Headline the Action
If the term “Week 0” sounds a bit unusual, get ready for an even more intriguing twist: by the end of Week 1, six teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) will have already played two games, and one team will have played two conference matchups.
Despite this unconventional start, Week 0 offers an exciting yet abbreviated lineup, featuring four games involving Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.
For dedicated College Football fans, this early taste of the season is sure to ignite excitement. Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s matchups.
No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Noon ET, ESPN
The spotlight game of Week 0 pits Florida State against Georgia Tech in Dublin, marking the first ACC showdown of the season.
Florida State, the only ranked team playing on opening day, is heavily favored. However, Georgia Tech, known for pulling off upsets in 2023, returns enough talent to pose a serious challenge.
The early stages of the game may see defensive dominance, as newly transferred Seminoles QB DJ Uiagalelei and his retooled receiving corps face off against a strong Yellow Jackets secondary led by DB Clayton Powell-Lee.
On the other side, Georgia Tech QB Haynes King, now with a year in the system, will contend with a formidable FSU pass rush spearheaded by DE Patrick Payton.
Montana State at New Mexico, 4 p.m. ET, FS1
New Mexico kicks off the Bronco Mendenhall era at home, one of three Mountain West teams playing on their turf in Week 0.
The Lobos will face a tough test from Montana State, a top-tier FCS team ranked fourth in the preseason FCS coaches poll.
The Bobcats are known for their potent ground game, led by mobile QB Tommy Mellott, but they may struggle to find running room against an FBS-level defense, even one like New Mexico’s that’s in a rebuilding phase.
The Lobos’ offense will rely on QB Devon Dampier and wide receiver Caleb Medford, a breakout candidate for the season.
SMU at Nevada, 8 p.m. ET, CBSSN
Among the Mountain West teams in action, Nevada is the only one hosting another FBS opponent, as they take on SMU.
The Mustangs are entering a new chapter in the ACC, and this early road test will be a good measure of their readiness.
While Nevada isn’t expected to be a strong contender in the Mountain West Conference, any struggles from SMU could raise concerns.
Incumbent QB Preston Stone will aim to put those worries to rest by getting the Mustangs off to a strong start.
Delaware State at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. ET (Streaming Only)
The late-night matchup features Hawaii hosting Delaware State. Under the leadership of coach Timmy Chang, the Rainbow Warriors are entering their third season with high hopes.
However, they would do well to avoid complacency, remembering the 2017 upset when Howard, another MEAC team, defeated Mountain West member UNLV.
With UCLA visiting the islands next week, Hawaii will look to handle Delaware State quickly, especially given the Hornets’ likely travel fatigue after their long journey to Honolulu.
College Football Week 0 Preview
Week 0 might be a brief prelude to the college football season, but it packs enough action to satisfy fans eager for the sport’s return.
Whether it’s the marquee Florida State-Georgia Tech matchup in Dublin or the late-night Hawaii game, these early contests will set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season.