Cover graphic created with Canva.
It’s officially that time of year again. Soon, the leaves will begin to change colors, the weather will get colder, and Saturdays will be reserved for college football viewing in every part of the country.
Of course, even for the most diehard college football fan, 131 FBS teams is a lot to keep tabs on at one time, so how should fans know which games represent must-watch TV and which games may be good times to get that power nap in?
To fix that issue, I went through the entire Week 1 schedule, highlighting which contests are the most interesting for various reasons and breaking down the games into multiple different categories.
The “headliners” category consists of the marquee games of the week. When two ranked teams square off, particularly if it’s a conference game or rivalry game, the matchup is a definite must-watch. I also included a section of “Solid TV” games, featuring games that may not get the most media attention but should certainly be entertaining. Next, we have “under the radar” games, which will highlight games that could be more entertaining than expected, either because of an upset possibility, two underrated teams facing off, or an intriguing battle between some of the most talented players in the nation. Finally, I also chose one game in which an AP top 25 team could be facing an upset.
Headliners
Sept. 3, 7:30 ET on ABC
This game between two perennial heavyweights could end up as one of the best games of the entire season, with serious College Football Playoff implications for each team. For the Fighting Irish, new head coach Marcus Freeman will make his regular season head coaching debut, doing so with his new starting quarterback, sophomore Tyler Buchner. The Buckeyes enter the season with arguably the second-best odds to win the national championship, led by Heisman contender C.J. Stroud at quarterback and talented skill players in RB TreVeyon Henderson and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. This opening game will also be the first chance for Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to showcase the Buckeyes' defense in his first season on Ryan Day’s staff.
Sept. 3, 3:30 ET on ABC
After winning a national championship with one of the most dominant defenses in the country last season, former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning will face the Bulldogs in his first game as head coach at Oregon. Georgia will look to begin their national title defense in their backyard of Atlanta behind returning QB Stetson Bennett. The Bulldogs may not be as stout defensively as they were in 2021, but Kirby Smart and company still return several All-SEC caliber players, including DT Jalen Carter and CB Kelee Ringo. Oregon QB Bo Nix will make his Ducks debut in this one after transferring from Auburn. Nix has completed just 56.3 percent of his pass attempts in his career against Georgia with one touchdown and two interceptions.
#7 Utah @ Florida
Sept. 3, 7:00 ET on ESPN
The Utes enter the season with legitimate CFP aspirations, but first Kyle Whittingham and his team must go into the Swamp and defeat a Florida team that may be better than expected. Utah’s combination of QB Cam Rising and RB Tavion Thomas could be one of the most potent duos in the country, along with a defense that always seems to meet the challenge. On the other side, the Gators welcome in head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana and are hoping to have a breakout season from QB Anthony Richardson. Florida may not be the dominant team that we have been accustomed to seeing in years past, but the unranked Gators should give the Utes all they can handle on Opening Night.
Sept. 3, 3:30 ET on ESPN
What will the Bearcats do for an encore following their 12-0 regular season and CFP appearance in 2021, particularly after losing a whopping nine players to the NFL Draft? Eastern Michigan transfer Ben Bryant will likely take over the reins at QB for Luke Fickell’s squad, while Cincy also returns much of their wide receiver talent. High expectations also abound for the Razorbacks and their dynamic, dual-threat QB K.J. Jefferson. With one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season, Arkansas can gain huge momentum with an opening win over the Bearcats at Razorback Stadium.
Solid TV
West Virginia @ #17 Pittsburgh
Sept. 1, 7:00 ET on ESPN
The Backyard Brawl officially returns with the Mountaineers and Panthers squaring off for the first time since 2011. Pittsburgh lost its’ top two offensive players in QB Kenny Pickett and WR Jordan Addison and will now turn to USC transfer Kedon Slovis to guide the team. West Virginia will also be breaking in a new signal caller, J.T. Daniels, the former Georgia starter who lost the starting job to Bennett last season.
#24 Houston @ UTSA
Sept. 3, 3:30 ET on CBSSN
Houston enters the season with lofty expectations, and with a big season from QB Clayton Tune could run the table on a relatively easy schedule. The Cougars better not overlook the Roadrunners, however, who enter the season among the favorites in the C-USA behind star quarterback Frank Harris and wideout Zakhari Franklin.
Florida State @ LSU
Sept. 4, 7:30 ET on ABC
A duel between two programs that are looking to return to their once prominent ways, the Tigers will be at the center of the football world with head coach Brian Kelly’s debut. Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels should be the starter and could form a dynamic connection with standout receiver Kayshon Boutte. Florida State has not had a winning season since 2017, and the rebuilding could continue this season. Running back Treshaun Ward could be a bright spot for the Seminoles' offense, however.
#4 Clemson @ Georgia Tech
Sept. 5, 8:00 ET on ESPN
Monday night’s prime-time showdown will be Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei’s first opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing season in 2021. The Tigers head into the 2022 campaign with CFP aspirations and a vaunted defense led by their defensive line. The Yellow Jackets aren’t likely to pose a threat to Clemson, though a home opener in prime time will be a good test for Clemson and Dabo Swinney to open the year.
Under-the-Radar
Louisville @ Syracuse
Sept. 3, 8:00 ET on ACCN
This Week 1 conference battle will feature two players with intriguing chances to take home the ACC Offensive Player of the Year award. For the Cardinals, Malik Cunningham is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country who accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense last season. Syracuse on the other hand brings back one of the best running backs in the nation, Sean Tucker, who nearly eclipsed 1,500 rushing yards in his sophomore season. Expect plenty of points on the board from these two electric rushing threats.
North Carolina @ Appalachian State
Sept. 3, 12:00 ET on ESPNU
The Tar Heels enter the game as the Power 5 program compared to the Group of 5 Mountaineers but make no mistake, App State could easily knock off North Carolina on their home field. Appalachian State returns arguably the best signal caller in the Sun Belt in senior Chase Brice and has real aspirations of a Sun Belt championship this season.
Upset Alert
#13 NC State @ East Carolina
Sept. 3, 12:00 ET on ESPN
The Wolfpack come into the 2022 season with a chance to unseat Clemson and win the ACC, guided by one of the most underrated QBs in the country, Devin Leary. N.C. State has a terrific defense that could lead them to a very successful season, but that unit will be tested immediately at East Carolina. ECU has one of the best QB-RB combos in football with Holton Ahlers and Keaton Mitchell and is coming off a 2021 season in which they scored nearly 30 points per game. In no way am I predicting the Pirates to stun the Wolfpack in Week 1, though I do expect them to keep the game within 10 points, setting themselves up to capitalize on an NC State mistake or two late in the contest.
댓글