Football games on TV today: schedule for Thursday evening

Thursday night brings us two college football games and the weekly NFL matchup, while football schedules begin across the country today. Here’s your look at the full schedule…

One of those college football matchups includes a Power Four game, as the ACC gives us some action early Thursday from one of the biggest home-field advantages in the country between teams that don’t want to fall below .500 in conference play.

The Sun Belt action begins between rivals, both coming off a loss and looking to get back into the conference race midway through the 2024 season.

And the NFL’s weekly Thursday Night Football game begins live in the Big Easy in a cross-conference matchup that heralds the return of Sean Payton to New Orleans.

Here’s your look at the full football schedule with three games starting today.

All East and Game lines are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Georgia State at Marshall
Thu, Oct 17 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2
Line: Marshall -8
FPI Election: Marshall 76.8% to win

The game: Marshall is 1-1 in conference play as quarterbacks Braylon Braxton and Stone Earle have swapped QB1 roles, and the team could lean on its ground game against a Panthers run defense that is allowing nearly 5 yards per carry while Christian Veilleux is on Sun’s 4th place is Belt in ongoing production.

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Boston College at Virginia Tech
Thu, Oct 17 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Line: Virginia Tech -7.5
FPI Election: Virginia Tech 66.9% to win

The game: BC fell to 1-1 in ACC play after briefly being ranked, most recently losing a four-point game to Virginia, but still ranks 25th in FBS in run defense and is powered by a ground game the Hokies, who scored more than 182 yards per game.

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If you’re interested in the NFL, this week’s Thursday Night Football action comes from New Orleans, where Sean Payton returns at the helm of another franchise.

Broncos at Saints
Thu, Oct 17 | 8:15 p.m. | Prime
Line: Broncos -3
FPI poll: Broncos 51.3% to win

The game: The Saints (2-4) have lost 4 straight games and, despite head coach Dennis Allen’s reputation as a defensive strategist, currently rank last in the NFL by allowing nearly 396 total yards per game. Denver (3-3) ranks 2nd in football with 22 sacks and 4th in scoring defense, but is 27th in passing and 23rd in rushing.

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The game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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