Week 1 mid-major games to watch: Boise State, Tulane look to build CFP foundation

Week 1 of college football is one of the biggest in recent memory, with three Associated Press top-10 matchups (Texas-Ohio State, LSU-Clemson, Notre Dame-Miami).

If those power conference showdowns aren't enough to satiate your demand for football, we've got you covered with a look at 10 mid-major games worth your attention in a stacked undercard.

Note: Games are scheduled for Saturday unless otherwise specified.

I. Top College Football Playoff automatic qualifiers in action 

Boise State Broncos at South Florida Bulls (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. ET • ESPN)

Northwestern Wildcats at Tulane Green Wave (12 p.m. ET • ESPNU)

Even without 2024 Heisman finalist running back Ashton Jeanty, Boise State is the favorite to earn an automatic qualifying bid in the CFP for the second consecutive year as one of the projected five highest-ranked conference champions at the end of the season. 

A road trip over 2,000 miles southeast to face South Florida is its first test in avoiding a hangover after last season's success.

Tulane is another viable Group of 5 playoff contender. It hosts Big Ten's Northwestern, which went 4-8 in 2024, in Week 1 in a game that could be a building block to a big season for the Green Wave.

II. Coaches making program debut

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (12 p.m. ET • ESPN)

Central Michigan Chippewas at San Jose State Spartans (Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET • FS1)

Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff gets quite the opener in his first game with the program against SEC doormat Mississippi State. 

Last season, Toledo (MAC) went to Mississippi State and blew out the Bulldogs, 41-17. Huff previously coached Marshall, which went 10-3 last season, and he brought 21 players with him south to Hattiesburg, 19 of whom remain with the program entering Week 1.

Matt Drinkall also makes his debut at Central Michigan. Both he and San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo arrived at their current schools after coaching at service academies, with Drinkall a member of Jeff Monken's staff at Army (most recently coaching offensive line) from 2019-24. Niumatalolo served as Navy head coach from 2007-22. 

This game has shootout potential. The Spartans averaged 321.8 passing yards and 28.4 points per game last season, while Drinkall should improve Central Michigan's No. 108-ranked offense. 

In May, he spoke about his vision for the unit, and he discussed its similarities to the Baltimore Ravens attack, of which he's familiar, considering Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Army head coach Jeff Monken are cousins.

III. Programs making FBS debut

Delaware State Hornets at Delaware Blue Hens (Thursday, 7 p.m. ET • ESPN Plus)

Missouri State Bears at USC Trojans (7:30 p.m. ET • BTN)

Delaware and Missouri State, both playing in Conference USA, chart different paths in their FBS openers. The Blue Hens ease into the 2025 schedule against FCS in-state rival Delaware State, which hired former NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson as its head coach this offseason following a 1-11 season.

Meanwhile, Missouri State travels to Los Angeles for a game against USC, which should be eager to erase any remnants from last year's 7-6 season in a potentially pivotal year for head coach Lincoln Riley.

IV. Take two

UNLV Rebels at Sam Houston Bearkats (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET • CBSSN)

Georgia Southern Eagles at Fresno State Bulldogs (9:30 p.m. ET • FS1)

UNLV escaped Week 0 with an unconvincing win in head coach Dan Mullen's debut, defeating FCS Idaho State 38-31. Matt Entz wasn't as lucky in his first game at Fresno State, which lost 31-7 to Kansas. 

The former North Dakota State head coach remained optimistic afterward, telling reporters, "I know we can play better football." 

Georgia Southern has three consecutive bowl appearances under head coach Clay Helton and returning quarterback JC French IV, making it a difficult matchup for Entz to earn his first win with the Bulldogs.

V. Bad football is still good football

Merrimack Warriors at Kent State Golden Flashes (12 p.m. ET • ESPN Plus)

Temple Owls at Massachusetts Minutemen (3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN Plus)

It's been nearly two years since Kent State's last win on Sept. 16, 2023. The Golden Flashes, who went 0-12 last season and ranked last in both scoring offense (13.9 points per game) and scoring defense (44.1 points per game), have a great chance to snap a 21-game losing streak against FCS Merrimack. If not, Kent State might open 2026 with a chance to tie Northwestern's record for most consecutive losses (34).

Temple-Massachusetts has the potential to be one of the worst games all year. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Owls rank No. 130 nationally, and the Minutemen are No. 126. Temple has four consecutive 3-9 finishes, while UMass, which returns to the MAC after playing as an independent from 2016-24, is 8-56 since the start of the 2019 season.