Easy W for the Gophers coming
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
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ShireNiner
Topic author - Posts: 1375
- Joined: 29 Sep 2025, 10:06
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ShireNiner
Topic author - Posts: 1375
- Joined: 29 Sep 2025, 10:06
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
A 2023 rematch between Oregon and Georgia ends the opening weekend (ShireNiner Network)
College Football Week 1 Preview — Top Games to Watch
Week 1 is finally here. College football returns with a Wednesday night opener before the full chaos of Saturday takes over, and the weekend closes with a top-five showdown under the Las Vegas lights on Labor Day Monday.
Dan Lanning arrives at Notre Dame having built what might be the most talented roster in the country. The Irish carry nine players rated 90 or above, five more than any other team in the nation, including the defending champions. Maryland comes to South Bend on Wednesday night, hoping to play spoiler to Lanning's prime time showcase.
Saturday's marquee matchup pits the defending champions against an SMU side that nobody should be sleeping on. Lane Kiffin brings back a loaded Texas program but hands the keys to a quarterback making his college debut against one of the most explosive offenses in the ACC. This is a perfect opportunity for SMU to show the nation that it is a true contender this season.
The week ends with a 2023 rematch with Oregon and Georgia colliding in Las Vegas. Two programs with National Championship ambitions, two contrasting styles, and absolutely nothing to warm up on. It is a proper game, and the perfect way to close out an opening weekend that promises to bring chaos.
ShireNiner's Big Three Predictions
Prediction: Texas 42 · SMU 35— A new quarterback, but the defending champions have a lot of talent in the roster. This will be close, but Kiffin and Co should have enough to get it done.
Prediction: LSU 28 · Duke 17 — Last year’s Heisman runner-up, Sagapolutele, continues his dominance as the Tigers start the season with a win.
Prediction: Georgia 44 · Oregon 38— Oregon historically struggles in opening games against top 5 teams, Georgia handled them with ease back in 2023 and has the firepower to do it again this year. .
*all stats from 2027, if available. -- means player did not play in 2027
Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering post-game news for College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.
MORE FROM SHIRENINER NATION
Bill Connelly · ShireNiner Network
August 28, 2028 · 3 min read · Week 1 Preview
Covers: College Football · Premier League · NFLAugust 28, 2028 · 3 min read · Week 1 Preview
Week 1 is finally here. College football returns with a Wednesday night opener before the full chaos of Saturday takes over, and the weekend closes with a top-five showdown under the Las Vegas lights on Labor Day Monday.
Dan Lanning arrives at Notre Dame having built what might be the most talented roster in the country. The Irish carry nine players rated 90 or above, five more than any other team in the nation, including the defending champions. Maryland comes to South Bend on Wednesday night, hoping to play spoiler to Lanning's prime time showcase.
Saturday's marquee matchup pits the defending champions against an SMU side that nobody should be sleeping on. Lane Kiffin brings back a loaded Texas program but hands the keys to a quarterback making his college debut against one of the most explosive offenses in the ACC. This is a perfect opportunity for SMU to show the nation that it is a true contender this season.
The week ends with a 2023 rematch with Oregon and Georgia colliding in Las Vegas. Two programs with National Championship ambitions, two contrasting styles, and absolutely nothing to warm up on. It is a proper game, and the perfect way to close out an opening weekend that promises to bring chaos.
Week 1 — Schedule at a Glance
Top games only · All times Eastern · Rankings as of Sunday poll
Top games only · All times Eastern · Rankings as of Sunday poll
| DATE | TIME | MATCHUP | VENUE |
TV |
| Wed, Aug 30 | 7:30 PM | Maryland at #12 Notre Dame | South Bend, IN |
 |
| Sat, Sept 2 | 1:30 PM | Wisconsin at #5Tennessee | Knoxville, TN |
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| Sat, Sept 2 | 3:30 PM | #2 Texas vs #11 SMU | Atlanta, GA |
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| Sat, Sept 2 | 8:00 PM | #15 Florida vs #24 Boise St | Charlotte, NC |
|
| Sat, Sept 2 | 10:00 PM | Washington at #20 USC | Los Angeles, CA |
|
| Sun, Sept 3 | 3:30 PM | #8 Alabama vs #14 Boston College | Atlanta, GA |
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| Sun, Sept 3 | 8:00 PM | #17 LSU vs #18 Duke | Orlando, FL |
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| Mon, Sept 4 | 7:30 PM | #3 Oregon vs #4 Georgia | Las Vegas, NV |
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ShireNiner's Big Three Predictions
 Texas 0–0 · #2 HC: Lane Kiffin |
vs |
 SMU 0–0 · #11 HC: Rhett Lashlee |
| Baraka Dallas · QB Texas Pass Yds -- TDs -- INTs -- QBR -- |
Dylan McCutcheon · WR Texas Receptions 19 Yds 261 TDs 2 RAC 63 |
Matt Zollers · QB SMU Pass Yds 3,164 TDs 24 INT 4 QBR 144.7 *Stats from Missouri, 2027 |
Marcelleus Barnes Jr · CB SMU Tackles 69 TFL 1 INTs 0 DEFL 6 |
 LSU 0–0 · #17 HC: Brian Kelly |
vs |
 Duke 0–0 · #18 HC: Bill Belichik |
| Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele · QB LSU Pass Yds 4,378 TDs 44 INTs 1 QBR 174.5 |
PJ Woodland · CB LSU Tackles 40 TFL 1 INTs 2 DEFL 7 |
Nate Sheppard · HB Duke Rush Yds 977 TDs 13 FUMB 0 Avg 4.9 |
Bradley Gompers · WILL Duke Tackles 61 TFL 18 Sacks 14.5 DEFL 3 |
Prediction: LSU 28 · Duke 17 — Last year’s Heisman runner-up, Sagapolutele, continues his dominance as the Tigers start the season with a win.
 Oregon 0–0 · #3 HC: Kenny Dillingham |
vs |
 Georgia 0–0 · #4 HC: Kirby Smart |
| Julian Lewis · QB Oregon Pass Yds 3,844 TDs 26 INTs 5 QBR 136.3 *Stats from Colorado 2027 season |
Aydin Breland · DT Oregon Tackles 32 TFL 12 Sacks 6 FF 2 |
Kevin Kryspin · QB Georgia Pass Yds 4,913 TDs 48 INT 10 QBR 161.0 |
Jon Mitchell · CB Georgia Tackles 48 TFL 7 INTs 2 DEFL 5 |
Prediction: Georgia 44 · Oregon 38— Oregon historically struggles in opening games against top 5 teams, Georgia handled them with ease back in 2023 and has the firepower to do it again this year. .
*all stats from 2027, if available. -- means player did not play in 2027
What did you think of this story?
Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering post-game news for College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.
MORE FROM SHIRENINER NATION
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| CFB | Vandy Fans Enjoyin Hot Start · Count |
Last edited by ShireNiner on 25 Mar 2026, 11:04, edited 2 times in total.
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ShireNiner
Topic author - Posts: 1375
- Joined: 29 Sep 2025, 10:06
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
 BALL STATE 0-0 · 0-0 MAC HC: Mike Uremovich · 25-14 OC: Craig Harmon · Spread DC: Jeff Knowles · Base 3-4 |
vs |
 #9 MINNESOTA 0-0 · 0-0 B1G HC: Mick Smith · 31-12 OC: Greg Harbaugh · Multiple DC: Joe Rossi · 4-2-5 |
Date Sat, Sept 2 |
Kickoff 7:00 PM ET |
Venue Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN |
Broadcast BTN |
Weather 72°F Clear |
Minneapolis — The Golden Gophers open the season ranked in the top-10 for the second straight season. Last year, the Gophers won the opening game 31-19 against Stanford, going on to win 10 games and reach the College Football Playoffs. This season, Minnesota returns nearly every starter on both sides of the ball and is determined to make this season the best one yet under Mick Smith.
The key to this game is AJ Brand. The quarterback for Minnesota, who only played nine games last season, and was only healthy for four. Minnesota should win this game regardless of how Brand plays, but his confidence and production this season will determine how far the Gophers can go.
"We are healthy, ready to go." Mick Smith said in his press conference this week. "We want to start fast, play free, and be aggressive. Last year, the offense took a few weeks to click. We changed things around and are hoping to see results this week."
Stats from 2027
2028 Team Schedules Series History under Mick Smith
● Minnesota leads all-time series 1-0-0
● Last Meeting was 2027, Minnesota won 29-19
The key to this game is AJ Brand. The quarterback for Minnesota, who only played nine games last season, and was only healthy for four. Minnesota should win this game regardless of how Brand plays, but his confidence and production this season will determine how far the Gophers can go.
"We are healthy, ready to go." Mick Smith said in his press conference this week. "We want to start fast, play free, and be aggressive. Last year, the offense took a few weeks to click. We changed things around and are hoping to see results this week."
| Landyn Lock · QB Junior · Ball State Pass Yds 4,418 TDs 32 INT 17 QBR 140.9 |
Gabe Fields · RB Junior · Ball State Carries 16 Yards 58 TDs 0 Avg 3.2 |
Donovan Hamilton · WR Senior · Ball State Rec 76 Yards 953 TDs 10 Avg 12.3 |
Sean Sevillano · DT Junior · Ball State Tackles 50 Sacks 4.5 TFL 10 |
Lavar Arrington II · SAM Junior · Ball State Tackles 35 Sacks 5.5 TFL 11 |
Milt Ferguson · CB Senior · Ball State Tackles 47 INT 1 DEFL 7 |
| AJ Brand · QB Junior · Minnesota Pass Yds 1,183 TDs 11 INT 9 QBR 113.7 |
Fame Ijeboi · RB Senior · Minnesota Carries 212 Yards 1,138 TDs 9 Avg 6.4 |
Jalen Smith · WR Junior · Minnesota Rec 63 Yards 706 TDs 9 Avg 11.2 |
Tyson Ford · LEDG Senior · Minnesota Tackles 34 Sacks 8.0 TFL 14 |
Mitch Horan · MIKE Junior · Minnesota Tackles 97 Sacks 9.5 TFL 18 |
Vernon Woodward III · CB Senior · Minnesota Tackles 62 INTs 6 DEFL 12 |
● Minnesota leads all-time series 1-0-0
● Last Meeting was 2027, Minnesota won 29-19
| Ball State | Minnesota |
| at #9 Minnesota |
vs Ball State |
at  LA Tech |
at  Pitt |
at  #5 Tennessee |
vs  Cincinatti |
| vs FCS West | vs  Florida State |
vs  East Michigan |
at  Michigan State |
vs  West Michigan |
vs  #7 Miami |
at  Northern Illinois |
at  UCLA |
at  Akron |
vs  Northwestern |
at  Bowling Green |
at  #13 Ohio State |
at  Toledo |
vs  Purdue |
vs  Central Michigan |
at  #1 Michigan |
vs  Miami Oh |
at  Wisconsin |
What did you think of this story?
Aiden "AJ" Wexler · ShireNiner Network
August 29, 2028 · 2 min read · Minnesota Week 1 Preview
Covers: College Football · Minnesota Golden Gophers · August 29, 2028 · 2 min read · Minnesota Week 1 Preview
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redsox907
- Posts: 6108
- Joined: 01 Jun 2025, 12:40
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
you better have a better showing than 29-19 this year 
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Captain Canada
- Posts: 7816
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
Yeah I need a 50-piece from you, let's get that offense going
Xavier Abraham, a five-star wide receiver from your own backyard? Better go get that.
Xavier Abraham, a five-star wide receiver from your own backyard? Better go get that.
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supahotfire
- Posts: 4235
- Joined: 01 Jul 2020, 10:03
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
The layouts in here are absolutely insane 
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djp73
- Posts: 13173
- Joined: 27 Nov 2018, 13:42
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
new layouts are nice, need a big win to start the season
at least 1 td per screen name
at least 1 td per screen name
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djp73
- Posts: 13173
- Joined: 27 Nov 2018, 13:42
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The Hunted
- Posts: 609
- Joined: 27 Oct 2025, 00:23
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
You might not see this and you haven’t been posting for a bit but man those layouts are Beautiful man. Well I really need to step up my game.
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djp73
- Posts: 13173
- Joined: 27 Nov 2018, 13:42
Run the North | Golden Gophers football
Who’s going to tell him?The Hunted wrote: ↑27 Apr 2026, 00:56You might not see this and you haven’t been posting for a bit but man those layouts are Beautiful man. Well I really need to step up my game.
