Headliner: Tulane at Memphis (American, Nov. 7)
Last season, Memphis finished 11-2 as Army posted a 9-5 record that included a trip to the conference title game. Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis is expected to take the reins at Memphis, while BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff will likely be Tulane’s quarterback. Both teams must navigate two full months to actually set up this Friday showdown, but it may have major national implications.
Key Game: UNLV at Boise State (Mountain West, Oct. 18)
Boise State punched the G5’s automatic CFP ticket in 2024, and the Broncos—even after losing star running back Ashton Jeanty—enter the campaign as the favorite in that conversation again. The wild card of the Mountain West is UNLV, which underwent a roster overhaul as Dan Mullen replaced Purdue-bound Barry Odom. But if a talent-rich transfer class hits, UNLV is a serious challenger to Boise.
Liberty at Jacksonville State (Conference USA, Sep. 6)
Georgia Southern at James Madison (Sun Belt, Sep. 27)
Louisiana at James Madison (Sun Belt, Oct. 11)
Toledo at Miami (Ohio) (MAC, Nov. 12)
Navy at Memphis (American, Nov. 27)