Notre Dame and Navy play in Ireland while C-USA hosts new members from other conferences and the FCS level. Welcome to the FBS, Jacksonville State! Meanwhile Vanderbilt and USC are the only Power 5 teams playing in Week 0. Not much of an eye-opener, but this is the opening act for the very last season for normal conferences and the four-team playoff before we head into 2024 with so…so much college football continental shift. Enjoy 2023 college football as much as possible.

NAVY VS. NOTRE DAME (DUBLIN IRELAND) 11:30AM PT/2:30PM ET [NBC]

It’s not a big deal to start off Saturday with, but if you’re a Notre Dame fan, Navy fan, or just a football fan needing some non-preseason games, look no further. That matchup is located in Dublin, Ireland. What’s not to like about that??? Navy hopes to bounce back in a new era with a new coach. Defense should be the strength, but the offense could be very interesting with the spread offense implemented with the usual triple-option offense. Wake Forest transfer quarterback Sam Hartman makes his debut for the Irish. Let’s see how he fares with his new team and new offensive scheme. The Irish defense should be as good as last season, but hope they play better than last season after struggling against the triple-option. Either the game is close and interesting like last season, or it’s a one-sided affair favoring Notre Dame (but hopefully not squandered in the second half again like last season).

MY PICK: NOTRE DAME

UTEP AT JACKSONVILLE STATE – 2:30PM PT/5:30PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

Jacksonville State makes their debut at the FBS level while UTEP’s looking for offensive improvement with returning quarterback Gavin Hardison leading the way. JSU coach Rich Rodriguez makes his return to the FBS level and is no stranger to competition like this. Quarterback Zion Webb’s eligible to play his seventh and final season and will lead a group that’s hoping to light fire early against the Miners. UTEP may have leverage in experience at the FBS level, but Jacksonville State’s consistent on winning and success, no matter what level of competition.

MY PICK: JSU

UMASS AT NEW MEXICO STATE 4PM PT/7PM ET [ESPN]

Two coaches go into their second season hoping to take another step with their program. UMass coach Don Brown’s expecting improvement from his roster (mostly defense) in Year 2 while New Mexico State coach Jerry Kill hopes last season’s seven wins wasn’t just a fluke. Quarterback Diego Pavia established himself as the full-time starter after a magical performance in the latter stage of the season. UMass hopes Clemson quarterback transfer Taisun Phommachanh could be the answer to help develop the offense in a positive direction. It’s hard to pinpoint UMass’s improvement, but the point separation in the two meetings dwindled from 17 points to 10 points with UMass cutting down the scoring against New Mexico State. UMass could upset New Mexico State for the first win, but it’ll take their defense to shut down Diego Pavia for most of the game until the offense finds their rhythm. I give NM State a slight edge in this game.

MY PICK: NEW MEXICO STATE

OHIO AT SAN DIEGO STATE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [FOX SPORTS 1]

Both teams face each other for the second time ever since a bowl game in 2018. Ohio was the first MAC team ever to defeat a Mountain West opponent and look to repeat. They have an electric offense behind quarterback Kurtis Rourke and company. Defense must replace most of the front four that was good against the run. However, the secondary was a weak spot and returning starters must improve after finishing 125th against the pass. San Diego State quarterback Jalen Mayden must improve after a lackluster performance in a bowl game. The run game must also bounce back after their lackluster performance. Defense and special teams will be the backbone of the program until the offense finds a solution. I’m expecting a close match. SDSU could easily struggle if the offense fails to find answers. If the run game gets going, Ohio will have no answer to stopping it and leads to a long 60-minute game. They likely find that answer, which makes life easier for their defense and makes life very difficult for Ohio’s defense.

MY PICK: SAN DIEGO STATE

HAWAI’I AT VANDERBILT – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [SEC NETWORK]

The only thing to look forward to is how improved Vanderbilt looks, but we should also get a look at quarterback Brayden Schager in his second straight season. Vanderbilt’s bowl chances look optimistic for once and an easy early schedule jump starts their opportunity. Quarterback AJ Swann should lead again with plenty of weapon led by receiver Will Sheppard. A lot of attention will be on Hawai’i quarterback Brayden Schager playing better against Vanderbilt after struggling last season. He didn’t make many mistakes, but he also didn’t standout either. Let’s hope he makes this entertaining to give the Warriors some optimism in the Mountain West this season. Otherwise, expect another blowout victory from the Commodores.

MY PICK: VANDERBILT

SAN JOSE STATE AT USC – 5PM PT/8PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK]

USC expected to win this game flawlessly, but San Jose State could make things interesting with quarterback Chevan Cordeiro leading the Spartans in the Coliseum. USC is virtually unstoppable on offense, but their defense was not. Defense adds plenty of names and talent from the transfer portal hoping for improvement. If they can’t, San Jose State has no problem producing a lot of yards and scoring a lot of points to keep up with them. It’s potentially a high-scoring game unless USC’s defense makes substantial improvements that’s beyond just forcing turnovers…defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Despite that, Caleb Williams and the Trojans should have no problem running on the Spartans.

MY PICK: USC

FIU AT LOUISIANA TECH – 6PM PT/9PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

Probably not the type of primetime game to end the night on, but let’s not sell this matchup short. If you’re an FIU fan, Louisiana Tech fan, or just a football fan looking for a night game after the USC game or a preseason game, here you go! FIU’s looking for answers somewhere for this program. Coach Mike MacIntyre may have one in quarterback Grayson James, but who else helps him? Louisiana Tech looks to bounce back after sputtering for two years post-COVID. They have offensive talent, but it gets better with Boise State quarterback transfer, Hank Bachmeier. If he stays healthy, there’s plenty of positivity in Ruston, Louisiana. Defense, however, must improve after looking terrible post-COVID. FIU upset Louisiana Tech last season to win the matchup for the first time in history. It’s possibly another close game, believe it or not, but La Tech will not allow another loss in their home debut.

MY PICK: LOUISIANA TECH