The day before college football’s grand entrance offers some intriguing matchups of its own. Yes, college football Friday probably doesn’t have the same ring to it as college football Saturday, but there will be plenty of gridiron action worth enjoying. Here’s a rundown of Friday’s games and a few things to know.
Top College Football Games for Friday, August 29
Georgia Tech vs. Colorado
Colorado‘s 9-4 season of 2024 might be forgotten in a hurry, with Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders now playing in the NFL. Many are on Coach Prime’s team as a likely squad to decline in the upcoming season. That said, Georgia Tech won seven games a year ago and impressed with some significant performances, upsetting Florida State and Miami en route to bowl eligibility.
QB is intriguing here, with the Tech going with veteran Haynes King while Colorado is starting Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. Tech gets enough respect to stand as a 4.5-point favorite even on the road, but Colorado’s raucous fan base will make things interesting.
Auburn vs. Baylor
This is a massive season-opener for both teams. Auburn has Hugh Freeze on the hot seat and new QB Jackson Arnold ready to either finally make a definitive statement on his play or forever be relegated as a guy whose hype outshone his production. Baylor returns a top QB in Sawyer Robertson and a 1,000-yard rusher in Bryson Washington.
Frankly, neither of these teams can really afford a loss. Auburn, particularly, seems unlikely to thrive with a non-conference loss and a brutal SEC slate awaiting. The Tigers are a 2.5-point road favorite, but this one could go down to the wire (and probably will).
UNLV vs. Sam Houston State
Dan Mullen’s squad barely survived in Week 0 with a 38-31 win over FCS Idaho State. The Rebels survived with 300 yards rushing in that game. Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea had a nice game at QB. Sam Houston State lost to Western Kentucky in their own Week 0 game, 41-24. The Bearkats allowed 401 passing yards in that game.
UNLV is a 9.5-point favorite on the road, but a pair of teams that struggled defensively in their prior games seem likely to light up the scoreboard again in Houston. It could be an interesting game.
Appalachian State vs. Charlotte
Appalachian State will debut new head coach Dowell Loggains. A longtime NFL assistant, this is Loggains’s first college head coaching job. Joey Aguilar left the Mountaineers for Tennessee, but former Vandy QB AJ Swann should make this interesting. Charlotte fell a game short of the school’s second-ever bowl appearance a year ago. North Carolina transfer Conner Harrell will play QB for the 49ers.
App. State is a 4.5-point favorite, but for two teams eager to stake improved seasons, this non-conference battle could be key to the pitch of the entire season.
Central Michigan vs. San Jose State
Central Michigan will debut new coach Matt Drinkall, who has an impressive offensive line pedigree. Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski is a good one and is certainly a player to watch in the MAC this season. San Jose State had a winning season last year with new coach Ken Niumatalolo. For a run-heavy coach (Niumatalolo had great success at Navy), it was interesting to see the Spartans throw for 322 yards per game.
San Jose State is a solid 13.5-point favorite, but CMU could make this one interesting, particularly if Kwiatkowski finds his way to creating a turnover or two for the Chippewas.
Read More:
Top 10 Week 1 College Football Games
Colorado Football Season Preview 2025
How Deion’s Potential Retirement Impacts Colorado
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
