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Athlon: Early Ranking of the Best CFB Games of 2022 Week 1
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:02 am
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:02 am
quote:
The start of college football's 2022 season is still months away, but it's never too early to flip the calendar to next fall and start thinking about the games on tap. Luckily for college football fans, the 2022 calendar is loaded with interesting matchups in Week 1.
2. Oregon vs. Georgia (Atlanta – Saturday, Sept. 3)
The Bulldogs begin their title defense with a neutral-site matchup in Atlanta against projected Pac-12 North front-runner Oregon. Any Pac-12 versus SEC matchup carries intrigue, but there’s even more with former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning taking over in Eugene. Lanning’s first squad will also feature a name familiar to Georgia, as former Auburn signal-caller Bo Nix could get the nod under center after transferring in this offseason. The Bulldogs will have several new starters on both sides of the ball, but coach Kirby Smart should quickly find the right answers to keep this team in contention to win it all ’22.
3. Florida State vs. LSU (New Orleans – Sunday, Sept. 4)
It’s a battle of two programs looking to get back on track in the 2022 season opener. Florida State is headed in the right direction under coach Mike Norvell, but there’s certainly pressure to get the team into a bowl game after just missing out at 5-7 in ’21. The Seminoles return dynamic quarterback Jordan Travis, and an infusion of transfers is set to bolster both sides of the ball. LSU is coming off a disappointing 6-7 season that cost coach Ed Orgeron his job, with Brian Kelly coming from South Bend to direct the program in Baton Rouge. Similar to Norvell, Kelly is loading up through the transfer portal in hopes of a quick turnaround in ’22. How much can LSU improve in Kelly’s first year? An opener against an improving Florida State squad should tell us a lot about both teams.
4. Utah at Florida (Saturday, Sept. 3)
Utah is set to open 2022 as the favorite in the Pac-12, and coach Kyle Whittingham’s squad should be in contention for a playoff spot, especially with quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas back next fall. The Utes have some turnover to address on both sides of the ball, but Whittingham should quickly reload – especially on defense. New Florida coach Billy Napier inherits a team coming off a disappointing 6-7 season, but the roster isn’t lacking for talent. Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s development is worth monitoring under the new staff, and Napier is adding pieces through the portal this offseason. If Utah wants to contend for the playoff, this is an excellent opportunity to start the year off on the right note. On the other sideline, a win by the Gators would show just how far this team has come since Dan Mullen’s firing and give Napier some much-needed early momentum.
5. Cincinnati at Arkansas (Saturday, Sept. 3)
Cincinnati loses a handful of its key cogs from the run to the playoff in 2021, including quarterback Desmond Ridder, cornerback Ahmad Gardner, defensive end Myjai Sanders and running back Jerome Ford. However, the Bearcats will still be a tough out for the Razorbacks in the opener. Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson is a rising star and a big reason why the Hogs are projected as an early top-25 team by most this offseason.
Athlon
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Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:05 am to paperwasp
Had no idea ND OSU played in week 1. Solid slate of games to kick off the season
and Pittboss better shut Cincy up in week 1
and Pittboss better shut Cincy up in week 1
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:13 am to DawgCountry
The Oregon/Georgia matchup is really intriguing with the Dan Lanning and Bo Nix angles, but I can't imagine that actually being a contest on the scoreboard.
Still will be a must-watch, though.
Still will be a must-watch, though.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:14 am to paperwasp
quote:
Still will be a must-watch, though.
I watch Noah Sewell whenever I can. Very violent LB. Oregon had some transfers that will hurt, though.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:19 am to TrussvilleTide
quote:
Oregon had some transfers that will hurt, though
Interestingly one of Oregon's backup quarterbacks, Robby Ashford (a Hoover product), just transferred to Auburn.
Wouldn't expect him to see a lot of playing time as he's more of a baseball guy, but he might be interesting to watch in a development role behind Calzada.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:26 am to paperwasp
quote:
3. Florida State vs. LSU (New Orleans – Sunday, Sept. 4)
Two teams coming off of losing seasons is the 3rd best CFB game of week 1?
Ugh.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:27 am to paperwasp
Arkansas’ non-conference includes:
Cinci
Missouri State (Petrino)
Liberty (Freeze)
@ BYU
There won’t be a dull moment.
Cinci
Missouri State (Petrino)
Liberty (Freeze)
@ BYU
There won’t be a dull moment.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:29 am to paperwasp
No Kentucky vs. Miami (OH)? List is trash
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:30 am to paperwasp
quote:
Florida State vs. LSU
Should be a pretty spicy melt after this one.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:31 am to Jon Ham
quote:
Missouri State (Petrino)
I totally forgot about Bobby Petrino being there.
Looks like he's 13–9 in two seasons, but has finshed first and second in the Missouri Valley Conference during that time.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:34 am to paperwasp
quote:
The Bulldogs begin their title defense with a neutral-site matchup in Atlanta
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:35 am to paperwasp
quote:
2. Oregon vs. Georgia (Atlanta – Saturday, Sept. 3)
4. Utah at Florida (Saturday, Sept. 3)
The PAC-12s Playoff hopes go down the shitter Week 1
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:36 am to paperwasp
I can't wait for Bo Nix to hold another L courtesy of UGA.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:37 am to paperwasp
quote:
the Bearcats will still be a tough out for the Razorbacks in the opener.
Huh? Hogs will stomp a mudhole in Cincy.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:40 am to Hback
quote:
Hogs will stomp a mudhole in Cincy
Their offensive production will certainly be different without Ridder and Ford, but I assume their defense will still be pretty decent.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:41 am to Ag Zwin
quote:To be fair, the only P5 team we have beaten at MBS is Auburn, which isn't all that impressive.
Ag Zwin
UGA's record at MBS is 2-4.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:44 am to Murph4HOF
quote:
To be fair, the only P5 team we have beaten at MBS is Auburn, which isn't all that impressive.
UGA's record at MBS is 2-4.
4 pretty damn good teams though
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:44 am to paperwasp
Didn't Cincy have a large number of super seniors on their 2021 team?
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:47 am to Hback
I doubt it. Arkansas historically doesn't come out of the gate playing well in the first game of the season. Burks was a huge loss and Jefferson will mostly likely have to use his legs in this game until the passing game gets going again.
Posted on 1/21/22 at 9:48 am to paperwasp
This is a good thread
I do think, upon further consideration, that I would agree with you being poster of the week this week
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