Thursday, at Central Florida, 6 p.m.
The Knights weren’t very good last season (6-7), but they had enough to rout FIU 53-14. UCF should be better this year, returning its quarterback, its leading rusher and eight of its top nine receivers. Prediction: UCF 41, FIU 20.
Saturday, Sept. 9: vs. Alcorn State, TBA.
Alcorn State (5-6) has played in the Southwestern Athletic Conference title game for three years in a row, but this should be coach Butch Davis’ first win with the Panthers. Prediction: FIU 35, Alcorn State 7.