MACON, Ga. — After a long offseason, college football is back.
Mercer will be the first Georgia school to take the field since Georgia Tech’s 24-21 upset over No. 10 Florida State on Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, will play Georgia State in their first home game of the season with plenty of momentum after Week 0.
Other teams like Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State will also play their first games on Saturday, with the Owls playing their first game as an FBS program.
Here’s a full breakdown of each game and where to watch.
Mercer vs Presbyterian
WHERE: Five Star Stadium in Macon
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH: ESPN+
WHO’S FAVORED: Mercer favored to win by -28.5 points (per Action Network)
The Bears will kick off their season under the lights at Five Star Stadium on Thursday.
Mercer and head coach Mike Jacobs will face Presbyterian in Jacobs’ first game on the Bears’ sidelines.
They'll face Presbyterian, a team replacing former starting quarterback Tyler Wesley. The team's second leading passer and runner, Ty Englehart, returns for another year and has a strong chance to start on Thursday.
The Blue Hose also returned top wide receiver Dominic Kibby, who led the team with 731 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year, and leading tackler Alex Herriott, who had 118 tackles, two and a half sacks and a forced fumble.
Mercer will also have a new starting quarterback. D.J. Smith replaces last season's starter Carter Peevy. The Bears’ 2023 leading receiver Ty James left for the NFL, which leaves a wide open spot for someone to take the reins. Duke transfer and redshirt freshman Apollos Cook could be a possible top target for Smith.
While the Bears have a lot of promising talent, it’ll come down to Jacobs being able to bring his talent together for a possible big season.
Georgia Tech vs Georgia State
WHERE: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in Atlanta
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH: ACC Network
WHO’S FAVORED: Georgia Tech favored to win by -21.5 points (per Action Network)
The Yellow Jackets will face an in-state opponent following the team's upset of the Seminoles in their first home game of the season.
Georgia State and new head coach Dell McGee will have the challenge of taking down an undefeated program.
Georgia state quarterback Darren Graringer and running back Marcus Carroll left in the offseason, leaving a hole in both spots. Transfers Zach Gibson and CJ Beasley will be tasked with replacing both.
Gibson, who’s expected to start at quarterback, spent the past two seasons at Georgia Tech. He started three games for the Yellow Jackets in 2022. Beasley, meanwhile, comes to the team from Coastal Carolina.
The Georgia State defense will have the task of stopping Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes, who ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State.
Quarterback Haynes King threw for 146 yards and no touchdowns, but did run for 54 yards, something McGee and the Panthers will have to keep in check.
Georgia vs Clemson Aflac Kickoff Game
WHERE: Mercedes Benz Stadium
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, at 12 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH: ABC or ESPN+
WHO'S FAVORED: Georgia favored by -13.5 points (per Action Network)
Both No. 1 Georgia and No. 14 Clemson will be playing for the first time since 2021.
Georgia, led by head coach Kirby Smart, and Clemson, led by head coach Dabo Swinney have a lot to prove in this anticipated Week 1 matchup.
For a full detailed breakdown on this game, click below.
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Georgia Southern vs Boise State
WHERE: Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH: ESPNU
WHO’S FAVORED: Boise State favored to win by -13 points (per Action Network)
Head coach Clay Helton is entering his third year as the Eagles’ head coach.
They’ll kick off the season playing Boise State, who were voted just outside of the AP top 25 college football poll.
Maddux Madsen, who threw for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns last year, returns as the Broncos starter. Ashton Jeanty, who ran for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, also returns for his junior year.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are replacing 2023 starting quarterback Davis Brin with former Memphis quarterback JC French.
French will start for the first time in his career. He’ll have returning running back Jalen White — who ran for 889 yards and nine touchdowns last season — alongside him to make the transition easier.
Top receivers Derwin Burgess Jr. and Dalen Cobb, who finished second and third in receiving last season, will be joined by transfers LV Bunkley-Shelton and Central Georgia native Tyler Fromm.
The Eagles will have a tough road to a winning record this season, but if French can find success early, they may have a chance at an upset in Week 1.
Kennesaw State @ UTSA
WHERE: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH: ESPN+
WHO’S FAVORED: UTSA is favored to win by -25 points (per Action Network)
Kennesaw State is set to make its FBS debut on Saturday.
The Owls will take on a tough test by facing off against the University of Texas, San Antonio in Week 1, where they are heavy underdogs.
The Roadrunners went 9-4 last season, but have the task of replacing their starting quarterback and wide receiver.
Owen McCown, son of former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, is expected to start under center. He's joined by returning running backs Kevorian Barnes and Robert Henry Jr., who collectively ran for 1,303 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Stopping that duo could be key for the Owls’ defense, which features returning contributors Donelius Johnson and JeRico Washington Jr.
The Owls’ offense returns leading receiver Gabrial Benyard, who led the team with 333 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and running back Michael Benefield, who was second on the team with 566 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Bryson’s success this season will be key for Kennesaw State finding success in its first season as a FBS program.