Best College Football Games in Week 1 to Start 2022 Season

While the 2022 college football season is officially underway, Week 1 is the widespread start of the campaign.

As usual, the overall slate is relatively soft. More than three dozen Football Bowl Subdivision programs take on a lower-division opponent, and plenty of power-conference teams are meeting a Group of Five school.

Headlined by a Top 5 showdown in Columbus, however, there are impactful games throughout the weekend.

Beyond a few ranked matchups, Week 1 also brings some rivalries, a few conference games and some notable nonconference clashes. We're breaking down the best of the slate.

Penn State at Purdue
Thursday, Sept. 1 (8 p.m. ET, Fox)

Although the official Big Ten opener happened with Northwestern's win over Nebraska, this matchup is a lovely kickoff to the conference's Week 1 slate. Penn State has a potential top-tier defense, and the unit's first test is opposite Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell. He threw for 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.

Illinois (1-0) at Indiana
Friday, Sept. 2 (8 p.m. ET, FS1)

Despite their proximity, these programs haven't met since 2017. Illinois is aiming to improve on a 5-7 season in Bret Bielema's first year, while Indiana hopes to recover from a disappointing 2-10 campaign. Illinois raced past Wyoming 38-6 in Week 0.

Louisville at Syracuse
Sept. 3 (8 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

Want to watch a ridiculously fun quarterback? Check out Louisville star Malik Cunningham, who ranked ninth nationally with 3,981 total offensive yards last season. He tossed 19 touchdowns and ran for 20. Syracuse, meanwhile, returns All-American running back Sean Tucker.

West Virginia at No. 17 Pitt
Thursday, Sept. 1 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Finally, the Backyard Brawl is back. The former Big East rivals no longer had an annual showdown after West Virginia left for the Big 12 in 2012. Pitt holds a 61-40-3 edge in the all-time matchups. Both offenses will have transfer QBs—JT Daniels at WVU and Kedon Slovis at Pitt—making their program debuts.

No. 4 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech (in Atlanta)
Monday, Sept. 5 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

This contest fits in the previous section, but none of the other conference games are true rivalries. That, however, is the case for Clemson and Georgia Tech—even as both programs have more bitter matchups elsewhere. The teams have played every season since 1983. Clemson has dominated recently, riding a seven-game winning streak over the Yellow Jackets into the 2022 tilt.

North Carolina (1-0) at Appalachian State
Saturday, Sept. 3 (Noon ET, ESPNU)

In a Week 0 rout of Florida A&M, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye threw for 294 yards and five touchdowns. The brother of UNC basketball legend Luke Maye leads the Tar Heels into a matchup with Appalachian State, a pesky program that nearly upset Miami last season.

No. 24 Houston at UTSA
Saturday, Sept. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN)

Houston is viewed as a top-tier Group of Five school this season, and UTSA is the reigning Conference USA champion. This is a massive clash for both teams, especially given the possibility it later impacts a New Year's Six bowl bid.

No. 25 BYU at South Florida
Saturday, Sept. 3 (4 p.m ET, ESPNU)

BYU is loaded with experience and returns Jaren Hall, an under-the-radar standout QB. He finished 2021 with 2,583 passing yards, 307 rushing and 23 total touchdowns to five interceptions. On the other sideline, USF is ready for the debut of Baylor transfer Gerry Bohanon behind center.

Army at Coastal Carolina
Saturday, Sept. 3 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Two of the nation's top players are squaring off in Conway. Army edge-rusher Andre Carter II tallied 14.5 sacks last season, and CCU quarterback Grayson McCall set an FBS record in passing efficiency rating.

Florida State (1-0) at LSU
Sunday, Sept. 4 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

LSU is eager to open Brian Kelly's tenure following his successful 12-year run at Notre Dame. Florida State coach Mike Norvell, meanwhile, has an opportunity for a much-needed marquee win that would (at least for now) quiet rumblings about his job security. Florida State began the season with a 47-7 triumph over Duquesne.

No. 11 Oregon at No. 3 Georgia
Saturday, Sept. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

The first stop on Georgia's title defense tour is opposite Oregon, a program with a couple of familiar faces. Oregon coach Dan Lanning spent the last four seasons on Kirby Smart's staff at UGA, and quarterback Bo Nix started three games against the Dawgs while at Auburn. Georgia went 3-0 in those matchups with Nix.

No. 23 Cincinnati at No. 19 Arkansas
Saturday, Sept. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Cincinnati wants to build on its College Football Playoff trip, and Arkansas is looking to show 2021's nine-win season was no fluke. Both programs have plenty to prove, and one of them is destined to earn a highly respectable win.

No. 7 Utah at Florida
Saturday, Sept. 3 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Utah has championship dreams, but a trip to Florida is a formidable test to open the campaign. For the Gators, new coach Billy Napier will be unveiling a new offense led by Anthony Richardson—a mobile QB who is thin on experience but has exciting upside. Fun sidebar: Florida transfer Mohamoud Diabate is expected to start at linebacker for Utah.

No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State
Saturday, Sept. 3 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

There are so many storylines to love in this showdown. You could focus on the rarity of the matchup or Ohio State's star-studded offense vs. Notre Dame's top-tier defense. Or, you can highlight Tyler Buchner's initial chance as ND's full-time quarterback, head coach Marcus Freeman's first regular-season opener with the Irish, or Ohio State's new-look defense. Safe to say it's a prime-time clash of nationwide intrigue.