The first full week of the college football season typically features many non-conference games that, on the surface, appear to be mismatches. When it comes to season-opening games, though, one never knows how things are going to shake out. We have been shocked before and we will be shocked again.

What is not surprising are the seven-figure payouts that often accompany games hosted by power conference programs against those from non-major conferences, or an independent.

With financial details obtained from published reports and/or athletic communications departments, here is a look at some of the heftier Week 1 payouts. (Some schools, including private institutions, do not disclose such information.)

Friday, September 1

$1.75 million: Central Michigan at Michigan State

The bus ride south on US-127 will be a little more than an hour for the Chippewas, and it will be a profitable one as far as the athletic department is concerned. The MAC program returns to East Lansing in 2027 and 2030 with both games including $1.5-million payouts. This will be the first of two seven-figure payouts for CMU in 2023 as a trip to Notre Dame on September 16 will result in collecting $1.2 million.