UCF beat FIU 53-14 in Miami last season. And yes, agreed to let the Panthers wear white. New FIU coach Butch Davis has denied UCF the same courtesy this season.
College football season - for most teams - is finally here.
While the traditional start has always been Labor Day Weekend, last Saturday we were treated to "Week Zero," five games that came about due to a recent NCAA rule change allowing an extra game - and earlier start - for teams who travel to Hawaii during the regular season. That also covers Hawaii itself, and teams traveling overseas (Rice and Stanford played in Sydney, Australia).
That's why No. 19 USF started early, playing a road game at San Jose State. The Bulls were slow to react, trailing 16-0 early, but they woke up and took care of business, winning fairly easily by a score of 42-22.
The first game of the traditional opening weekend is UCF-FIU, kicking off Thursday at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Are the in-state Knights and Panthers rivals? I'm not sure, but new FIU coach Butch Davis might have set it off by refusing to play along with UCF's white out.
Cliff's: Like last season, UCF had designated the season opener as the "white" game - fans were asked to wear the color and the team planned to be clad in all-white uniforms. The thing is, visiting teams must agree to swap the dark and white jersey colors. UCF didn't think it would be an issue as they agreed to FIU's white-out request in Miami last year, but there's a new sheriff in town and Butch wasn't having any of it. So UCF will wear anthracite (with white helmets). Fans are still encouraged to wear white, even though that will be FIU's on-field jersey color.
In all, there are five games involving American teams on Thursday night. That includes UCF's week two opponent, Memphis, hosting Louisiana-Monroe at 9 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Advance apologies to Memphis fans - you probably won't see your team until the second half. There's no way UCF-FIU is finishing in a three-hour window.
Due to the flood devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Houston's opener at UTSA scheduled for Saturday has been postponed.
Here's a look at games involving the American Athletic Conference and UCF's three additional non-conference opponents (Georgia Tech, Maryland and Maine).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31
FIU at UCF
6 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Buzz: This will be the sixth meeting between the two schools, who have played on a near-annual basis since 2011 (the 2014 game was pushed back a year to accomodate UCF's trip to Ireland) but this is the last scheduled game in the series. FIU has won twice, the first matchup in 2011 and again in 2015 at UCF, which was the opening game of the 0-12 season for the Knights. UCF did win big last year though, 53-14. The next day FIU fired Ron Turner, which eventually led to the arrival of Butch Davis, who is probably best known for his years as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
FIU returns 16 starters from last year's 4-8 team, perhaps highlighted by RB Alex Gardner who was just shy of rushing for 1,000 yards in 2016. UCF returns nearly every key player on offense, the entire defensive line plus defending AAC Defensive Player of the Year Shaquem Griffin, an outside linebacker. Where they have graduated starters, seven open spots between linebacker and secondary, coaches are confident in the replacements, prompting some to say this year's defense could be even better than last year.
Line: UCF by 17
Head-to-Head Pick: UCF
Austin Peay at Cincinnati
7 p.m., ESPN3
Buzz: The debut of new Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell, formerly the defensive coordinator at nearby Ohio State. The Bearcats are looking to bounce back from last year's 4-8 season, which ended on a five-game losing streak. QB Hayden Moore, who started seven games last season, returns. Austin Peay has been among the worst programs in FCS, with only one win in the past 46 games. But they do have a new coach who is trying to turn things around.
Line: Cincinnati by 34
Head-to-Head Pick: Cincinnati
Maine at New Hampshire
7 p.m., CBS Sports Digital
Buzz: UCF hosts Maine on Sept. 30. The rare "back-to-back" game. In their final game of 2016, Maine lost to New Hampshire 24-21. Now they meet again in the first game of 2017. 106th all-time meeting and it's a big rivalry too, called "The Battle for the Musket." The Black Bears finished 6-5 last year, nearly upsetting UConn in the 2016 season opener. They have a new QB this year, Chris Ferguson.
Line: None found
Head-to-Head Pick: No idea
Holy Cross at UConn
7:30 p.m., SNY
Buzz: Randy Edsall, who helped bring UConn into the FBS and BIG EAST in a stint that lasted from 1999-2010, returns to Storrs after spending the past few years at Maryland. The Edsall years saw the biggest success at UConn, including shares of two conference championships and four straight bowl games. The offense will be run by Rhett Lashlee, formerly the offensive coordinator at Auburn. JUCO QB David Pindell, a newcomer, is expected to start after throwing for 2,424 yards and 31 TDs at Lackawanna College (Pa.) last season. FCS Holy Cross finished 4-7 in 2016.
Line: UConn by 21.5
Head-to-Head Pick: UConn
Tulsa at Oklahoma State
7:30 p.m., FS1
Buzz: Instate foes, separated by just 70 miles, that will be meeting for the 72nd time. OSU has a 39-27-5 advantage and has won the last five. Tulsa, somewhat quietly, had a 10-win season in 2016, which was their fifth 10-win season in the last 10 years. Their three losses came to pretty good opponents too - Ohio State, Houston and Navy - which won a combined 29 games. Tulsa also was the first team to have a 3,000 yard passer, two 1,000-yard rushers and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. They must replace Dane Evans at QB though, and head coach Philip Montgomery still hasn't named a starter. Chad President and Luke Skipper are the two frontrunners.
Like Tulsa, Oklahoma State also had a 10-3 season in 2016. QB Mason Rudolph put up big numbers, throwing for 4,091 yards and 28 TDs. WR James Washington is one of the best in the Big 12, who leads all active college football players with 26 career touchdowns.
Line: OSU by 18
Head-to-Head Pick: OSU
Louisiana-Monroe at Memphis
9 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Buzz: Lots of anticipation in the Mid-South this season as Memphis, winners of eight games last season, become the favorites to win the AAC's West Division. They're in the midst of the best three-year run in school history with 27 wins. 17 starters return, most notably QB Riley Ferguson who stepped right in for another top quarterback, Paxton Lynch. Ferguson passed for 3,698 yards and 32 TDs last season.
ULM went 4-8 in 2016 in the first season under Matt Viator. They are 2-20 in their last 22 road games, but one of those victories was a big one: A 34-31 OT win at No. 8 Arkansas to open the 2012 season.
Line: Memphis by 26
Head-to-Head Pick: Memphis
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Lane Kiffin and Owl Fever has consumed Boca Raton.
Navy at FAU
8 p.m., ESPNU
Buzz: For UCF fans in Palm Beach County and the surrounding area, an opportunity to scout a future UCF opponent, Navy. The 2016 Midshipmen won the AAC West Division and hosted the championship game, though they lost to Temple. They do have some pretty big holes to fill - pretty much every RB from last year's team has moved on - but Ken Niumatalolo has a consistent track record of not missing a beat.
It's the FAU debut for new head coach Lane Kiffin, who has created quite a stir with an open-door policy for pretty much any talented player looking for a new home. It's a gamble the new administration doesn't mind taking considering the Owls have finished with a 3-9 record in each of the past three seasons.
Line: Navy by 9
Head-to-Head Pick: Navy
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Maryland at No. 23 Texas
12 noon, FS1
Buzz: UCF visits Maryland on Sept. 23. This is the second season in College Park for D.J. Durkin, who led the Terps to a 6-7 record in 2016 (including a double overtime win against the Knights in Orlando). Perry Hills has graduated at quarterback and sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome will take his place.
This is the Texas debut for Tom Herman, formerly at Houston. The 2016 Longhorns finished with a losing record (5-7) and fired Charlie Strong, but somehow they enter this game ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll.
Line: Texas by 18.5
Head-to-Head Pick: Texas
Temple at Notre Dame
3:30 p.m., NBC
Buzz: Final meeting of a three-game series. In 2015, No. 21 Temple hosted No. 9 Notre Dame, welcoming ESPN College Gameday to Philly. The Owls had the Irish on the ropes late, before ND pulled it out 24-20. The 2016 Temple Owls won the AAC Championship, their first conference championship since winning the "Middle Atlantic Conference" in 1967, which back then was comprised of teams like Delaware, Lehigh, Bucknell and Rutgers. Temple does have a new coach in 2017. Geoff Collins, who coached at UCF several years ago, replaces Matt Rhule who went off to Baylor. There are plenty of holes to fill. Most notably, QB P.J. Walker and RB Jahad Thomas.
Notre Dame took a downturn in 2016, finishing 4-8, which likely has Brian Kelly entering this season on the hot seat. Their strength is the offensive line, which features four seniors and two preseason All-Americans.
Line: Notre Dame by 17.5
Head-to-Head Pick: Notre Dame
Stony Brook at No. 19 USF (1-0)
4 p.m., ESPN3
Buzz: For USF, a game against Stony Brook will mark another home debut for a new head coach. In 2010, Skip Holtz coached against the Sea Wolves in his first game as a USF Bull, leading the Bulls to a 59-14 victory. A week after winning a 42-22 contest at San Jose State, Charlie Strong is set to coach his first USF game in Tampa.
Stony Brook is coming off a 5-6 season, but two of those wins came against top 25 FCS foes (No. 2 Richmond, No. 21 North Dakota).
The preseason favorites of the AAC, USF is led by QB Quinton Flowers. Strong is hoping for a better home debut than the coach he replaced, Willie Taggart, who in 2013 saw his bus veer off the highway and down a cliff as they were crushed by FCS McNeese State, 53-21.
Line: USF by 35.5
Head-to-Head Pick: USF
James Madison at ECU
6 p.m., ESPN3
Buzz: This isn't your typical early-season FCS warmup game. For ECU, this is a scary matchup. The Dukes of James Madison are the defending FCS National Champions. JMU has a high-powered offense, scoring 50 or more points on six occasions in 2016, and more than 80 points twice. QB Bryan Schorr, who threw for 3,002 yards and 29 TDs, returns. However, JMU announced this past week that seven players are suspended for the game, including their starting TE.
ECU went 3-9 in 2017 and has to repalce record-setting WR Zay Jones, who set NCAA records for single season (158) and career receptions (399). QB Gardner Minshew, a former JUCO player and a backup last season, will start.
Line: Now Even (JMU had opened as a 3.5-point favorite)
Head-to-Head Pick: ECU
Houston at UTSA
Buzz: Due to the devastating floods in Houston and Southeast Texas, the game has been postponed. A makeup may not be possible as the schools do not share an open date. Major Applewhite is the new head coach at Houston, replacing Tom Herman who went to Texas. The Cougars had been spending the past week in Austin. Houston has a road game scheduled at Arizona on Sept. 9.
Stephen F. Austin at SMU
7 p.m., ESPN3
Buzz: Chad Morris, entering his third season at SMU, continues the slow rebuild as the Mustangs improved from 2-10 to 5-7 in 2016. The offense should be a strength as they return most starters including QB Ben Hicks and WR Courtland Sutton, a preseason All-American pick. SMU's defense is headlined by DE Justin Lawler and they did lead the AAC with 18 interceptions last year.
SFA finished 5-6 last season and has to replace many key starters, including QB and RB.
Line: SMU by 31
Head-to-Head Pick: SMU
Grambling State at Tulane
8 p.m., ESPN3
Buzz: You'd think these two in-state schools would have met at some point in their long history (Tulane has been playing football since 1893, Grambling since 1928), but this is the first ever meeting. This is the second season at Tulane for coach Willie Fritz, who led the Green Wave to a 3-9 record in his debut. They will be breaking in a new QB, JUCO transfer Jonathan Banks. They do have experience in the back field, led by RB Dontrell Hilliard.
Grambling is coming off an SWAC Championship, 12-1 season in 2016, their only loss coming at the hands of FBS Arizona. Former Ole Miss QB Devante Kincade is their starting quarterback. He earned SWAC Offensive Player of the Year honors last year after passing for 3,022 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Line: Tulane by 17
Head-to-Head Pick: Tulane
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Paul Johnson enters season No. 11 as the head coach at Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee
8 p.m., ESPN
Buzz: UCF hosts Georgia Tech on Sept. 16. A "neutral site" game in Atlanta, this game is part of a weekend doubleheader at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Alabama-FSU plays there on Saturday). It's been an interesting month for the Yellow Jackets. A couple weeks ago, Paul Johnson dismissed top running back Dedrick Mills for a violation of team rules. Not the best timing. Off the field, former UCF AD Todd Stansbury is getting things done in his new job at his alma mater, recently inking an apparel deal with Adidas.
Tennessee coach Butch Jones may be on the hot seat as he has failed to bring the Vols back to the upper tier of the SEC. He's led UT to 9-4 records in each of the past two seasons, but that's not good enough for the majority of UT fans, especially last season when they were expected to contend in a weaker SEC East.
Line: Tennessee by 3
Head-to-Head Pick: Georgia Tech
