Southeastern Louisiana at South Alabama

South Alabama enters this one under a first-time head coach in Major Applewhite, promoted after Kane Wommack left for Alabama's staff, and an offense that averaged under 27 points a game a year ago now has to find its footing against a defense that reached the FCS playoffs. Southeastern Louisiana allowed just 18 points a game last season under Frank Scelfo, one of the better defensive numbers at that level, and a new coaching staff on the other sideline doesn't solve that problem in its first game of the year. Southeastern Louisiana's own offense was productive too, averaging 31 points a game, but stepping up from the FCS ranks to face FBS speed and athleticism is a different test, and that kind of production doesn't always transfer cleanly in a true opener against tougher competition. South Alabama's defense was a real problem a year ago, giving up over 30 points per game, but this total hinges more on whether either offense can consistently execute against a defense built to slow them down, and Southeastern Louisiana brings exactly that. The stronger defense in this game should have the bigger say in how it plays out. Go with the UNDER tonight.