While the college football season technically started a week ago, the real chaos and excitement begins today with full Saturday games. It’s Week 1, which as usual includes some big non-conference matchups that could have big implications.
We’ll cover everything, but here’s a rundown of the day’s top games to watch.
No. 11 Oregon vs. no. 3 Georgia
Time: 3:30 pm ET | TV: ABC | Line: UGA -17.5 | Total: 52.5
Georgia begins defending its national title against a familiar face. Dan Lanning, the first Bulldogs defensive coordinator to win a national title since 1980, is now at Oregon and will make his coaching debut in the marquee Week 1 contest in Atlanta.
No. 23 Cincinnati no. 19 in Arkansas
Time: 3:30 pm | TV: ESPN | Line: Arkansas -6 | Total: 52.5
Cincinnati made history last season as the first team from a five-team conference to advance to the College Football Playoff. But with stars like Chaz Gardner, Desmond Ridder, Alec Pierce, Kobe Bryant and Jerome Ford now in the NFL, the 2022 Bearcats will be a little different when they start the season in SEC country. Last year, the Bearcats had a marquee road win against Notre Dame that fueled a remarkable early season resume. Can they do it again in Fayetteville?
No. in Florida. 7 Utah
Time: 7 pm | TV: ESPN | Line: Utah -3 | Total: 50.5
Utah finally broke through and won the Pac-12 title last year. A significant portion of that team returns in 2022 and many see the Utes as a team capable of making a run at the CFP. That run begins with a big challenge in Gainesville against Florida. UF will play its first game under Billy Napier after things deteriorated under Dan Mullen last fall. Having one of the most electric playmakers in the country, Anthony Richardson, at quarterback will certainly be a plus for Napier.
No. 2 Notre Dame at Ohio State No
Time: 7:30 pm | TV: ABC | Line: OSU -17 | Total: 59.5
The Marcus Freeman era at Notre Dame begins with a big challenge. In recent years the Irish national championship has remained in the picture but has not been able to get over the hump. Meanwhile, The Buckeyes won 11 games last year, but lost to Michigan for the first time since 2011. And the Big Ten is winless for the first time since 2016. The OSU offense is one of the nation’s best, and QB CJ Stroud, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and RB TreVeyon Henderson are back in 2022.
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