The 3-3 stalemate at Hillsborough took many by surprise given the Owls’ transfer business during the summer and the 4-0 win they secured against the Blues on the final day of last season just three months ago.
But in truth, Pompey will have been disappointed with just a draw as Danny Cowley’s new-look battling side came within minutes of securing a huge victory on day one of the new term.
The Blues, nevertheless, put down an important marker for the challenge ahead and will no doubt have made others in League One sit up and take notice.
Cowley admitted before a ball was kicked in Yorkshire that he was happy to go into the season under the radar.
Well, that won’t happen now given the result at Hillsborough.
But what do the bookies’ think now about the race for promotion from the division and, in particular, the Blues’ chances of reaching the Championship?
Well, we checked in with SkyBet to see exactly just that with day one of the new campaign now out of the way.
Here's what he discovered.
9. Bristol Rovers - 25/1
IN: Jordan Rossiter (Fleetwood, undisc), James Gibbons (Port Vale, free), James Connolly (Cardiff, undisc), John Marquis (Lincoln, free). OUT: Sam Nicholson (Colorado Rapids, free). Photo: Harry Trump
10. Forest Green Rovers - 22/1
IN: Armani Little (Torquay, free), Corey O’Keeffe (Rochdale, free), Kyle McAllister (St Mirren, free), Alfie Burnett (Rotherham, free), David Davis (Shrewsbury, free), Harry Boyes (Sheff Utd, loan), Reece Brown (Huddersfield, free), Oliver Casey (Blackpool, loan), Jacob Jones (Swansea, free). OUT: Kane Wilson (Bristol City, free), Ebou Adams (Cardiff, free), Dan Sweeney (Stevenage, free), Nicky Cadden (Barnsley). Photo: Matthew Lewis
11. Accrington - 22/1
IN: Mo Sangare (Newcastle, free), Matt Lowe (Brackley Town, free), Lukas Jensen (Burnley, loan), Shaun Whalley (Shrewsbury, free), Ryan Astley (Everton, loan), Alhagi Touray Sisay (Haverfordwest, undisc), Enock Lusiama (Daisy Hill, free). OUT: Matt Butcher (Plymouth, free), Ross Sykes (Royale Union SG, undisc), Colby Bishop (Pompey, undisc). Photo: Bryn Lennon
12. Shrewsbury - 20/1
IN: Jordan Shipley (Coventry, undisc), Tom Bayliss (Preston, free), Julien Dacosta (Coventry, loan), Chey Dunkley (Sheff Weds, free), Aiden O'Brien (Portsmouth, free), Taylor Moore (Bristol City, loan). OUT: Josh Vela (Fleetwood, free), David Davis (Forest Green, free), Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Rochdale, free), Shaun Whalley (Accrington, free). Photo: George Wood