College football has finally arrived… kinda.
There are real games this weekend, including games between Power Five opponents, but the overwhelming majority of teams aren’t starting their seasons until next week, hence this week being deemed Week 0 of the 2022 college football season. And yes, if we’re being honest, this is not the most exciting slate of games we’re going to see this season, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to be tempted to watch your first college football in nearly eight months.
To help you plan your Saturday, we’ve ranked the five most watchable games of the weekend. Grab some chips, maybe a chicken wing or two, mow the lawn early and enjoy some college football. You’ve earned it.
Stream live college football games every week this season from conferences across the country on ESPN+.
5
Austin Peay at Western Kentucky (Noon ET, CBS Sports Network)
If you’re the type that likes to have your eyes on the screen when toe meets leather for the very first time, this is where you start your season. The Hilltoppers should be competing for the Conference USA title once again and should easily handle Austin Peay. But for at least half an hour, this game has no competition for hardcore college football fiends looking for their first fix since January.
4
Florida A&M at North Carolina (8:15 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
In what should become a regular feature among Power Five programs, North Carolina will host its first ever HBCU Celebration Game to open the season against the Rattlers. The game will include a joint performance by both schools’ bands at halftime (worth the price of admission), but the game itself at least bears watching early on. UNC is coming off an uncharacteristically uneven season but signed the best recruiting class in school history, including starting quarterback Drake Maye.
Stream live college football games every week this season from conferences across the country on ESPN+.
3
Vanderbilt at Hawaii (10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)
It’s been a long time since the SEC’s perennial basement-dwellers have had the chance to travel somewhere exciting for a postseason bowl game (2018 to be exact), which is possibly why the Commodores decided to go ahead and schedule a preseason excursion this season.
It’s been a rough stretch for Vandy, which has won just a single conference game in the last three seasons, but the men of Hawaii can understand hard times too. Former Hawaii coach Todd Graham resigned in January amid allegations of abusive behavior toward his players and was replaced by Rainbow Warriors legend Timmy Chang. Close your day out on island time with this late-night kickoff.
2
North Texas vs. UTEP (9 p.m. ET, Stadium)
This game has the makings of the most competitive matchup of Week 0, with most books listing it as a pick ’em. Both teams had up-and-down season in 2021 with North Texas winning the matchup with UTEP in a hard fought 20-17 contest. Are either of these teams great? Probably not, but they’re both pretty equally not-great which makes it one of the few games in Week 0 unlikely to be a blowout.
Stream live college football games every week this season from conferences across the country on ESPN+.
1
Nebraska vs. Northwestern (12:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
The season’s first Power Five matchup will take place across the pond in Dublin, Ireland, where two Big Ten teams coming off disappointing seasons in 2021 will try to start the new season on a better footing.
Nebraska comes into this game nearly a two touchdown favorite and should have a level of offensive firepower that Northwestern lacks, but the Cornhuskers are facing a different level of pressure than their opponents heading into this game and this season as the once-proud fanbase becomes increasingly frustrated with head coach Scott Frost.
