Southeast Missouri State at Iowa State

Iowa State brings in Jimmy Rogers as its new head coach after Matt Campbell's departure, and a first game for a new staff against an overmatched FCS opponent is exactly the kind of spot where a program wants to come out aggressive and make a statement rather than play things close to the vest. Southeast Missouri State allowed better than 30 points a game last season in a 4-8 finish, the kind of defensive number that doesn't hold up against a jump to Big 12 competition, new coaching staff or not. Iowa State's offense averaged better than 27 points a game a year ago under the previous staff, and that talent level carries over even with new play-calling in charge. Southeast Missouri State's own offense scored just over 23 points a game itself, enough to add to the total against a defense still working out its identity in Week 1 rather than getting shut out completely. The betting market has leaned toward the OVER here as well, with the bigger money on that side. Between a new staff looking to open with a bang and an FCS defense that gave up points readily last year, this total has more paths up than down. I'm on the OVER this afternoon.