Mississippi State football kicks-off the 2024 season with Eastern Kentucky Saturday night, but there's tons of college football to glue your eyeballs to over the next five days. We all know the headlining matchups, but what about some games not getting much attention that could be plenty entertaining?
Here are three under the radar games to watch for Week 1...
Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State
Thursday 7:00 PM CT on CBS Sports Network
This is simply a good G5 football game to open the season. Coastal Carolina isn't the same wacky program you may remember from a few years back, but they're still capable of being one of the better teams in the Sun Belt. Meanwhile Jacksonville State has fully embraced Rich Rod ball and are ready to contend in the C-USA behind his irritating rushing attack. These are fairly evenly matched teams who should play a competitive game Thursday night.
Boise State at Georgia Southern
Saturday 3:00 PM CT on ESPNU
Boise State enters the 2024 season as one of the favorites to earn the G5's automatic bid to the College Football Playoff. But the Broncos are in for a test in Wee 1, as they have to travel all the way across the country to face a feisty Georgia Southern squad in Statesboro. The Eagles may have a tough time containing stud Boise RB Ashton Jeanty, but their own offense has enough fire-power to make things interesting. This will be a tough road trip for Boise.
Wyoming at Arizona State
Saturday 9:30 PM CT on FS1
Arizona State is desperate to begin building some positive momentum in their second season under HC Kenny Dillingham, but opening the season up with Wyoming may not have been the best way to assure that happens. The Pokes are a perennial tough out that plays with a level of physicality that could create problems for a Sun Devils squad still working to build up talent in the trenches. ASU should be improved enough to get the win, but you'll want to keep a close eye on this one for the Saturday nightcap.