Welcome to the full season kickoff of College Football! The cold open last weekend did not go as planned for some, but the rest of the CFB world catches up today as the season gets into full swing with a 5 day slate of games. This post will highlight all the big games to watch this weekend along with a few sleepers. Most importantly it will break down the keys to victory and highlight the new storylines to watch throughout College Football this season. Sit back, read on and let's enjoy some football!
Week 0 Record: 4 - 1 (Thanks Nebraska)
Overall Record: 4 - 1
West Virginia at #17 Pitt (The Backyard Brawl)
One of the most storied rivalries in college football is renewed as Pitt hosts West Virginia in the season opener tonight. The Panthers hold the all-time record in the series, but since switching conferences the two teams haven't met since 2011 and the Mountaineers hold a 3 game win streak in the series. Pat Narduzi has boosted the Pitt brand tremendously during his tenure, but must replace a Heisman Finalist in QB Kenny Pickett. His seemingly 12 years of eligibility are finally over and he's onto the league. USC Trojan transfer Kedon Slovis is QB1 now and painted a big target on his back at a pep rally earlier this week where he said "fu*k West Virginia" to fire up the crowd. This rivalry is about to be heated quickly, but I like the Panthers to come out on top in this one. Pitt 38, WVU 33.
Penn State at Purdue
The Nittany Lions start their 2022 campaign on the road in West Lafayette to square off against a sneaky BIG 10 foe in the Boilermakers. Penn State started 2021 really hot, but fizzled quick when QB Sean Clifford went down. He's back, but the Purdue Boilermakers are no slouch, as they have a 6th-year QB of their own in Aiden O'Connell. These gunslingers are likely to air it out as both offenses finished 5th (Purdue) and 26th (Penn State) in passing offense last year. Jeff Brohm has an experienced defensive unit, especially up front and Penn State has 3 new starters on a shaky offensive line. I think Purdue has momentum and will pull an upset in this one. Purdue 26, Penn State 21.
Illinois at Indiana
This BIG 10, Friday night matchup is a unique one. Illinois could quickly jump themselves into the West Division Crown conversation with an impressive win. Brett Beilma's unit has already shown significant improvement in year 2 by rolling Wyoming. Neither team is going to be very flashy, but I would expect some hard-nosed, grind it out football. The team with fewer mistakes wins this game, and both will feature a lot of transfer players. This brings experience along with it, but since the Illini have a game under their belt already, I think they'll be the sharper team. The Hoosiers will need to play a near flawless game, but I'm giving the Illini the edge. Illinois 27, Indiana 23.
#11 Oregon vs #3 Georgia
Technically dubbed as a neutral site game for the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff, but with this game being played in Atlanta, I would expect the defending national champs to have a large contingency in attendance. Yes, many players were drafted off to the NFL, but the Bulldogs will be a force to be reckoned with yet again in 2022. The Ducks are breaking in a new head coach and have a lot of identity questions moving into 2022. However, ex-SEC star Bo Nix is likely to start at QB and he's talented enough to keep the Ducks hanging around for a while. Ultimately I think Georgia's defensive muscles will flex and the DAWGS win this one 34-17.
#23 Cincy at #19 Arkansas
The Bearcats finally broke the seal and became the first Group of 5 team to earn a CFB Playoff bid. However, star QB Desmond Ridder is now an Atlanta Falcon and there are a number of other talented players they must replace in 2022. The Razorbacks quietly won 9 games last year after just 3 wins in Sam Pittman's first year as HC. He retains star QB KJ Jefferson and a lot of talent at wide out. The defense needs to generate more pass rush, but look for Arkansas to throw some big punches this year. I think they open with a statement win against a still very talented Cincy team. Razorbacks beat the Bearcats 34-21.
#7 Utah at Florida
The old Urban Meyer teams square off in Gainesville as the Gators welcome their new head coach with a top 10 team. Billy Napier has a stacked roster to work with though, and if the Gators can get some chemistry cooking early, they will be a deadly team this year. QB Anthony Richardson is the focal point and his dual-threat abilities give every defensive coordinator headaches. The Utes are always a tough unit though and HC Kyle Whittingham believes this could be one of his best teams yet. Utah always seems to stumble on the road however, and this is quite the trip to start off the year with. Nonetheless, I think the Utes could be something big this year and a top 10 takedown for the first game as head coach is a lot to ask for. Utah gets a major victory on the road 33-28 over the Gators.
#5 Notre Dame at #2 Ohio State
Speaking of new Head Coaches opening with a top 10 team, I turn my sights to Notre Dame at Ohio State. Unfortunately for Marcus Freeman, he won't have a home crowd to back him up. Opening your HC career in the Horseshoe against the #2 Buckeyes who are arguably the overall favorite to win it all this year is not ideal. The Irish will need to keep pressure early and often on CJ Stroud. If not he'll quickly get in rhythm with Jaxson Smith-Njigba and his many other NFL-caliber receivers. The Notre Dame secondary will be tested all game long, so any breakdowns and big plays will need to be kept to a minimum. Offensively the ground game is crucial in this one. Keeping the ball out of the hands of CJ Stroud and the Buckeyes is the best way to beat them. This should be a fun one to watch, but I think the Buckeyes are too much for a force to be stopped. Ohio State pulls away in this one, winning 42-24.
Florida State at LSU
Two programs trying to claw out of the pit of despair due battle New Orleans in yet another "neutral site" game in one team's backyard. Regardless, this is an interesting matchup as there's plenty of talent across the board. LSU is now led by Brian Kelley after his somewhat unprofessional departure from Notre Dame. He may have been burned a few times by recruits on social media over the offseason, but the roster in Baton Rouge is loaded and ready to put up some points. Florida State has good experience at the QB position with Jordan Travis returning, and this group should take a step forward this year. This game could easily go either way, but being so close to home gives LSU a big advantage. We'll see if Brian Kelley has gotten them up to snuff quick. Tigers edge out the 'Noles 28-23.
#4 Clemson at Georgia Tech
The Tigers had a "rough" year last season with a 10-3 record, but the usual CFB Playoff members are looking to bounce back in 2022. Dabo Swinney must replace both his offensive and defensive coordinators, but does return star QB DJ Uiagelelei along with one of the best defensive units in the nation. The Ramblin' Wreck is known for headaches from time to time, but I think the Tigers are out for blood this year and many folks are forgetting how good that program is. Clemson flexes their muscles big in the opener with a 45-17 victory.
North Dakota at Nebraska
Not necessarily the most compelling game of the weekend, but after last weekend's collapse in Ireland I know Husker fans will be happy to see a win at home. This game isn't important in any sense (unless Frost somehow coaches his way to defeat in this one), but hopefully it will give the team a chance to work on the basics they missed last week. The big things I'll be looking for is how players will be used, especially in the run game (if there is one) and a pass rush on defense. Tackling will also need to be stressed in this game as it was horrendous across the pond. North Dakota is not an impressive team by any stretch, but games like this have made the Huskers struggle in the past. Not just the football team, but the entire state just needs a solid, 3 or 4 score victory with sound, fundamental football. Let's see it Huskers, GO BIG RED! Nebraska 45, North Dakota 20.
Quick Hit Predictions:
TCU at Colorado - Horned Frogs 33, Buffaloes 27.
#13 NC State at ECU - Wolfpack 30, Pirates 21.
Rutgers at Boston College - Scarlet Knights upset on the road, 28-24.
#24 Houston at UTSA - The Cinderella Roadrunners of 2021 could get a big statement win to start 2022. Let's go with it, 34-28. Meep Meep!
Arizona at San Diego State - Aztecs 35, Wildcats 21.
Boise State at Oregon State - Watch out for the Beavers this year. They win this one 34-30.
Thanks for reading my predictions and enjoy a full weekend of College Football!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
That’s fine and all. But who are you picking between Mizzou and Louisiana Tech??? (SEC pride)
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