Diehard G6 Top 25 — Week 0 results

The biggest game of Week 0 was supposed to be UNLV's coming-out party.

The Rebels rolled out the full Vegas treatment — Dan Mullen walking onto the field at Allegiant Stadium flanked by an Elvis impersonator, a crowd of 31,384 ready to christen the Jackson Arnold era and Fox's national cameras there to capture it all. Arnold, the former five-star who played at Oklahoma and Auburn before landing in Las Vegas, was making his UNLV debut in front of a fan base that believes this is a College Football Playoff team.

Memphis had other plans.

The Tigers went into a hostile environment and won 27-21 in the debut of new coach Charles Huff, answering every UNLV punch with a bigger one. West Florida transfer Marcus Stokes showed flashes of brilliance directing the attack, finishing 15-of-26 for 223 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Every time UNLV scored, Memphis found an answer — and when the Tigers finally took the lead in the second half, the defense made it stick. Memphis racked up six sacks and seven tackles for loss, suffocating Arnold down the stretch and holding UNLV scoreless in the fourth quarter.

It is the kind of road win that announces a program. Last season, Memphis started 6-0 before UAB upset the Tigers and crushed their CFP hopes. This time, the Tigers are not waiting for the dream to build — they went and took one on the road in Week 0. They return to the Liberty Bowl next week to host Arkansas State, and then a Sept. 12 trip to Boise State could loom incredibly large in the Group of Six race for a Playoff spot.

Elsewhere in Week 0, North Dakota State made its FBS debut in emphatic fashion, beating Jacksonville State 33-7. And Hawaii's fourth-quarter rally fell short at Stanford, 37-27, despite three touchdowns in the final period, two from Micah Alejado.

Three games to watch in Week 1:

Boise State at No. 2 Oregon (Sept. 5, CBS) — The biggest statement game available to a G6 team this season. Win in Eugene and Boise State's Playoff case is halfway built.

Liberty at James Madison (Sept. 5, ESPNU) — Chadwell's rebuilt roster gets the ultimate early test against a JMU team adjusting to life under Billy Napier.

UNLV at Hawaii (Sept. 5, CW) — Both teams lost in Week 0. One of them gets right. The other starts 0-2 with serious questions.

Here's the Diehard G6 Top 25:

1. Boise State (9-5, Pac-12) — Spencer Danielson, Year 3 (prev: 1)

Three consecutive Mountain West titles before moving to the Pac-12. QB Maddux Madsen (20-6 as starter, 50 career TD) returns behind four returning OL starters with the deepest backfield in the G6.

Next: at No. 2 Oregon, Sept. 5 (3:30 PM, CBS)

2. Navy (11-2, American) — Brian Newberry, Year 4 (prev: 2)

The steepest improvement curve in the G6 — 5-7, 10-3, 11-2. Service academy roster continuity is a structural advantage in the portal era, but the Blake Horvath-to-Braxton Woodson QB transition is the biggest question.

Next: vs. Towson, Sept. 5 (3:30 PM, CBSSN)

3. James Madison (12-2, Sun Belt) — Billy Napier, Year 1 (prev: 3)

Made the CFP last year under Bob Chesney and lost to Oregon 51-34, but only 4 starters return and SP+ projects a nearly 50-spot drop. Napier (40-12 at Louisiana) knows how to win at this level, and the schedule is the softest of any contender — No. 119 in difficulty.

Next: vs. Liberty, Sept. 5 (noon, ESPNU)

4. Western Michigan (10-4, MAC) — Lance Taylor, Year 4 (prev: 4)

Defending MAC champions who won 10 of 11 after an 0-3 start, the title and the bowl — a first in program history. Lost only one player to the portal; MAC OPOY Broc Lowry and RB Jalen Buckley form the MAC's best offensive duo.

Next: at No. 16 Michigan, Sept. 5 (7:30 PM, NBC)

5. USF (9-4, American) — Brian Hartline, Year 1 (prev: 5)

Hartline recruited the No. 1 G6 portal class: 41 transfers, 22 from Power 4 programs, 13 former 4- and 5-star recruits. The schedule is the biggest asset — no Power 4 opponent, seven home games, Memphis and Tulane both in Tampa.

Next: vs. FIU, Sept. 5 (7 PM, ESPN+)

6. Memphis (1-0, American) — Charles Huff, Year 1 (prev: 11)

Won 27-21 at UNLV to open the season — a statement road win for the Huff era. The 51-transfer overhaul paid off immediately. The schedule only gets harder: at Boise State on Sept. 12, then a five-week October gauntlet against the American's best.

Next: vs. Arkansas State, Sept. 5 (7 PM, ESPN+)

7. North Dakota State (1-0, MW) — Tim Polasek, Year 3 (prev: 13)

Beat Jacksonville State 33-7 in the program's FBS debut. Ten FCS national championships and a 26-3 record under Polasek — NDSU looked every bit like a team ready for this level. Sixty-three players announced "Run it Back" for the transition, and the NCAA granted immediate postseason eligibility.

Next: vs. Fordham, Sept. 5 (3:30 PM, MW+)

8. UNLV (0-1, MW) — Dan Mullen, Year 2 (prev: 6)

Lost 27-21 to Memphis at home — not the start the Mullen era needed after three consecutive MW Championship Game appearances. Former 5-star QB Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma/Auburn) and RB Jai'Den Thomas (1,036 yards, 12 TD, 7.0 YPC) have the talent to bounce back.

Next: at Hawaii, Sept. 5 (10 PM, CW)

9. New Mexico (9-4, MW) — Jason Eck, Year 2 (prev: 8)

Best season since 1982; MW Co-DPOY LB Jaxton Eck (129 tackles) anchors the defense with four OL starters returning. QB Jack Layne is rehabbing a torn flexor tendon — his health is the swing factor for the entire season.

Next: vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 5 (10 PM, FS1)

10. Hawaii (0-1, MW) — Timmy Chang, Year 5 (prev: 7)

Lost 37-27 at Stanford to open the season. The ceiling is still high — MW Freshman of the Year QB Micah Alejado (3,106 yards, 24 TD) is the most exciting young quarterback in the G6 — but the opening loss moves Hawaii behind teams that took care of business or haven't played yet.

Next: vs. UNLV, Sept. 5 (10 PM, CW)

11. San Diego State (9-4, Pac-12) — Sean Lewis, Year 3 (prev: 9)

Moving to the Pac-12 with the league's best returning running back in Doak Walker semifinalist Lucky Sutton (1,297 yards). The 2025 defense ranked 6th nationally in scoring defense (12.58 PPG), though CB Chris Johnson left as a 1st-round pick.

Next: vs. Portland State, Sept. 5 (9:30 PM, USA)

12. Fresno State (9-4, Pac-12) — Matt Entz, Year 2 (prev: 10)

Won the Arizona Bowl. The 2025 defense ranked 2nd nationally in pass defense, and 14 starters and 156 returning starts come back. The QB competition is unsettled — that is the biggest question.

Next: at No. 14 USC, Sept. 4 (9 PM, FOX)

13. Old Dominion (10-3, Sun Belt) — Ricky Rahne (prev: 12)

Best season in program FBS history. Lost Sun Belt OPOY QB Colton Joseph to Wisconsin, but Cure Bowl hero QB Quinn Henicle takes over behind S Mario Easterly and a defense that returns its core.

Next: vs. Norfolk State, Sept. 5 (6 PM, ESPN+)

14. Liberty (4-8, CUSA) — Jamey Chadwell, Year 4 (prev: 14)

The boldest call on the list — the 4-8 was misleading (four losses by a combined 11 points in the final four games) while Chadwell dealt with a serious health issue. He overhauled the roster with a deep portal class, and after the JMU opener there is not an unwinnable game on the schedule.

Next: at James Madison, Sept. 5 (noon, ESPNU)

15. Washington State (8-5, Pac-12) — Kirby Moore, Year 1 (prev: 15)

Resource and infrastructure advantages over most Pac-12 rivals as a displaced former Power 5 program. Big Sky Freshman of the Year QB Caden Pinnick (3,206 yards, 32 TD, 437 rush) has the dual-threat profile, but all 17 defenders who logged 200+ snaps are gone.

Next: at No. 17 Washington, Sept. 6 (4 PM, NBC)

16. Tulane (11-3, American) — Will Hall, Year 1 (prev: 16)

Defending American champions and CFP participants — now on their third head coach since 2023. Nine Phil Steele All-AC selections return on defense, but the QB is unsettled and top WR Shazz Preston left for Indiana.

Next: at Duke, Sept. 5 (3:30 PM, ACCN)

17. Army (7-6, American) — Jeff Monken, Year 13 (prev: 17)

Service academy continuity: eight offensive starters return, led by OL Brady Small (39 consecutive starts) and QB Cale Hellums (1,223 rush yards, 18 rush TD). Lost DC Nate Woody and both starting safeties — the defense is the rebuild.

Next: vs. Bryant, Sept. 5 (noon, CBSSN)

18. UTSA (7-6, American) — Jeff Traylor, Year 7 (prev: 18)

QB Owen McCown (2,995 yards, 30 TD, 67.5% completion) is one of the best quarterbacks in the G6. The back-end schedule — four straight against projected bottom-half American teams — is built for a strong finish.

Next: vs. UT-Rio Grande Valley, Sept. 5 (4:30 PM, ESPN+)

19. East Carolina (9-4, American) — Blake Harrell, Year 2 (prev: 19)

Won the Military Bowl over Pitt 23-17 — back-to-back bowl wins over ACC opponents. Lost QB Katin Houser, S Ja'Marley Riddle and DT Zion Wilson, but SP+ projects the second-best conference record in the American behind Navy.

Next: at No. 13 Alabama, Sept. 5 (noon, ABC)

20. Louisiana (6-7, Sun Belt) — Michael Desormeaux, Year 5 (prev: 20)

Preseason publications agree Louisiana is the best team in the Sun Belt West. QB Lunch Winfield led a 4-game winning streak to close 2025 — if he stays healthy, this is a 9-win team; if the pattern of QB injuries continues, the floor is 6-6.

Next: vs. Lamar, Sept. 5 (8 PM, ESPN+)

21. Oregon State (2-10, Pac-12) — JaMarcus Shephard, Year 1 (prev: 21)

Every major preseason magazine picks Oregon State last in the Pac-12, but the 2-10 was statistically unlucky (three losses by 4 points or fewer) and the displaced Power 5 resources are real. Shephard comes from Alabama with QB Maalik Murphy (Texas/Duke) competing for the starting job.

Next: at Houston, Sept. 5 (noon, ESPN)

22. Miami OH (7-7, MAC) — Chuck Martin, Year 13 (prev: 22)

Three consecutive MAC Championship Game appearances — winning the title in 2023, runner-up the last two. SP+ projects the best average wins and best conference record in the MAC, and RB Rodney Nelson (Monmouth, 1,802 yards) is the MAC's best portal addition.

Next: at Pittsburgh, Sept. 5 (12:30 PM, CW)

23. Troy (8-6, Sun Belt) — Gerad Parker, Year 3 (prev: 23)

Won the Sun Belt West and reached the conference championship game in 2025. Only 6 starters return — just one on the defensive side — but Phil Steele credits Troy with the Sun Belt's top recruiting class.

Next: vs. Sam Houston, Sept. 5 (7 PM, ESPN+)

24. Western Kentucky (9-4, CUSA) — Tyson Helton, Year 8 (prev: 24)

The most consistent program in CUSA — bowl-eligible in seven consecutive years under the longest-tenured coach in the conference. Returns 16 starters, led by WR Matthew Henry (888 yards) and LB Jaylen Wester (106 tackles).

Next: at Nevada, Sept. 5 (10:30 PM, CBSSN)

25. Jacksonville State (0-1, CUSA) — Charles Kelly, Year 2 (prev: 25)

Lost 33-7 to NDSU in the Gamecocks' season opener. Two consecutive CUSA title game appearances and 7 of 8 conference games won in Kelly's first year, but losing FBS rushing leader Cam Cook to West Virginia and QB Caden Creel (1,514 pass, 1,075 rush, 16 TD) carrying the load makes the margin thin.

Next: vs. Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 5 (7 PM, ESPN+)