It’s finally here.
After another long offseason filled with conference realignment news and a very public spat between high-profile SEC coaches, the 2022 college football campaign is ready to launch. The usual suspects are primed to contend for the national championship, but there are some intriguing dark horses looking to spoil the party. Meanwhile, campuses and fan bases all across the country are buzzing with anticipation for tailgates throughout the fall.
The Week 0 slate may not exactly be overwhelming from a standout matchup perspective, but we will take what we can get. It’s college football, and it’s back.
Let’s take a look at the action coming our way Saturday…
Northwestern vs. Nebraska (in Dublin), 12:30 p.m., FOX
The Wildcats and Cornhuskers clash in a Big Ten battle overseas, which is almost fitting after the Midwest conference expanded West this offseason with the impending additions of USC and UCLA—and perhaps others.
This will be the sport’s first regular-season international game since Stanford’s 62-7 win over Rice in Australia in 2017. Ireland has a five-game deal in place for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, and this is the first one after Notre Dame-Navy and Nebraska-Illinois couldn’t occur because of the COVID-19 pandemic the last two seasons.
Ireland first hosted a college game in 1988 when Boston College beat Army 38-24, and this will be the first on Irish shores since Georgia Tech slipped by BC in 2016. Meanwhile, Northwestern will be playing abroad for the first time, while Nebraska will be making its second appearance following a win over Kansas State in Tokyo in 1992.
While both of these teams posted 3-9 marks last season, Scott Frost’s Cornhuskers were very competitive in most contests, with all 9 of their setbacks coming by single digits. Texas transfer QB Casey Thompson will look to ignite the offense, one that thrived in a 56-7 throttling of Pat Fitzgerald’s bunch in Lincoln last October.
Frost is just 15-29 since his return to Lincoln and has yet to post a winning season or a postseason trip. Turnovers, an inconsistent offense and special teams issues led to several breakdowns at key moments in games last year. The staff underwent a bit of an overhaul, led by Mark Whipple’s arrival as new OC. Meanwhile, Northwestern’s defense took a step back while the offense struggled last fall. Both sides of the ball need to vastly improve.
In what may not be the cleanest game, the Huskers should get the new season started off on the right foot—or else the heat on Frost will only intensify.
Wyoming at Illinois, 4:00, BTN: Bret Bielema begins his second season with the Fighting Illini, whose offense will be coordinated by Barry Lunney Jr. and led by Syracuse transfer QB Tommy DeVito. There is nowhere to go but up for the Illini after finishing 115th in the nation in scoring last season. Meanwhile, Craig Bohl’s Cowboys were hit hard by the transfer portal, with the biggest loss being star RB Xazavian Valladay to Arizona State and WR Isaiah Neyor to Texas as well as two potential starting QBs. That’s…rough. Despite the tough task, Wyoming will be looking for its first road win over a Power Five program since beating Ole Miss in 2005.
The Illini are going to rely on the ground game and a sound defense. The offensive line lost two all-conference players, so keeping DeVito upright will be of utmost importance. Defensively, the unit is replacing a lot at linebacker, but CB Devon Witherspoon is one of the league’s best, and it should be stout up front. The Cowboys lost a few defenders to Power Five programs, but there is still good returning material. Illinois should have enough to take care of business at home, but these are two teams with some questions trying to create an identity immediately.
Quick hits
Duquesne at Florida State, 5:00, ACCN: It’s been a tough go in Tallahassee the last five seasons, and the Seminoles will get a warmup contest before their showdown against LSU in New Orleans.
Florida A&M at North Carolina, 8:15, ACCN: Mack Brown’s Tar Heels never won more than two games in a row last season. Replacing some key pieces on offense will take the spotlight, but a huge jump is needed on the other side of the ball.
North Texas at UTEP, 9:00: The Mean Green won five of six games to close out last season after a 1-6 start, while the Miners began last year 6-1 only to go 1-5 down the stretch—including a loss to North Texas. But UTEP was one of the best stories of last season, earning a postseason berth and first winning record since 2014.
Vanderbilt at Hawai’i, 10:30, CBSSN: Who doesn’t love late-night CFB? The Timmy Chang era starts in Honolulu, while Clark Lea and the ‘Dores look to steal a non-conference road win.
Other matchups on tap:
Austin Peay at Western Kentucky, Noon ET, CBSSN
Idaho State at UNLV, 3:30, CBSSN
UConn at Utah State, 4:00, FS1
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic, 7:00, CBSSN
Nevada at New Mexico State, 10:00, ESPN2
A look ahead to Week 1
Thursday, September 1
West Virginia at No. 17 Pittsburgh
Penn State at Purdue
Friday, September 2
Illinois at Indiana
TCU at Colorado
Saturday, September 3
No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 3 Georgia
No. 23 Cincinnati at No. 19 Arkansas
No. 7 Utah at Florida
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State
Sunday, September 4
Florida State vs. LSU
Monday, September 5
No. 4 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
This week’s best bets
*Wyoming-Illinois U44
*Nebraska -13.5
*Vandy-Hawai’i O52.5
My preseason Top 25
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Texas A&M
5. Michigan
6. Notre Dame
7. Clemson
8. Utah
9. Oregon
10. NC State
11. Ole Miss
12. Baylor
13. Wisconsin
14. Wake Forest
15. Kentucky
16. Oklahoma State
17. Michigan State
18. Oklahoma
19. Tennessee
20. Houston
21. USC
22. BYU
23. Cincinnati
24. Iowa
25. Arkansas
Cocktail of the week
It is still summer—don’t let regular season games being on TV fool you. So I chose a light, summery drink for this week. Break out the bubbly and let’s celebrate the start of a brand-new season!
Bubbly Citrus Punch
-Pour chilled sparkling wine (I prefer a dry prosecco) into a flute, filling it about halfway high
-Add 1 oz. Ruby Red grapefruit juice, 1 oz. orange juice, 1 oz. simple syrup and a splash of grenadine
-Stir with long spoon until all liquids are mixed well together
-Garnish with citrus slices of your choice
-Don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavors, subbing in different fruit juices like cranberry or lime as well as a flavored liqueur such as Grand Marnier
Happy grilling!
Follow me on Twitter @Miller_Dave & email me at david.matthew.miller@gmail.com
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