By: Cole Mantell (@lightningdragon)
The schedule has been released, and Week 1 is fast approaching! Teams are already preparing by watching films and running sims, so let’s take a look at what Week 1 will look like and how the earliest parts of the season might play out.
Monday, January 6th
Texas A&M vs USC – 6:30 PM Twitch
The season starts with a championship rematch. The Season 21 National Championship was a thrilling game that featured two underdogs turned contenders. USC secured its second National Championship in a row and enters Season 22 looking to cement a dynasty.
There are some new faces on both teams since we last saw them. For Texas A&M, this game will serve as the debut of QB Malcom Streets. Owen Dart will forever be an Aggie legend, and now the team will have to adjust on offense to keep up in a rapidly improving Big XII. Given where Texas A&M ended up last season, they’ll get no favors in the non-conference slate either. Streets will get his first start in a neutral site championship rematch. Talk about being thrown into the fire.
For USC, the Trojans return nearly all of their major contributors from their Season 21 championship squad. This revamped team was easily able to fill the small holes on the roster from departures. Notable freshmen include WR Aniyah Late and DE Jett Trevor. USC also has a tough schedule to open Season 22, but given their status as two-time champions, they will be favored in almost every game they play this season.
Florida vs Penn State – 8:30 PM Twitch
This is a brotherly rematch from last season. The Gators and Nittany Lions travel to Houston for a neutral site rematch to finish the first Monday of Season 22. Both teams took steps forward last season, and both made the playoffs. Penn State beat Florida 38-26 last season in this game, and the series overall between these two teams is tied historically at 1-1.
Florida returns almost a complete team from last season’s edition. The Gators are looking to build with an almost identical roster from the last go around. They’ll compete in a tough SEC (again) but have the opportunity to make a statement early in this matchup.
For Penn State, the Nittany Lions will rely much more heavily on freshmen and new faces in Season 22. Their recruiting class is headlined by #1 recruit HB Richard Williams II. The Penn State offense has five freshmen who will make their debut here, not including any additions from the 3-Star Draft. Given where both teams’ rosters are at, I’d expect Florida to be the slight favorite, but this will be another heated brotherly affair.
Tuesday, January 7th
Auburn vs. Florida State – 6:30 PM Twitch
This matchup is going to have some serious fireworks. The third and final neutral site game in Week 1 will take place in Arlington, TX. Auburn may argue for the toughest schedule in the CFSL, and FSU won’t have it much easier. This game will be crucial for both squads to say the least.
For Auburn, the Tigers enter this matchup on a 16-game regular season winning streak. To keep the regular season streak going, the Tigers will have to win 5 of their first 6 games away from Jordan-Hare Stadium. That starts here, as Auburn sees the debut of a few freshmen to a veteran roster. Their recruiting class is led by CB Maverick Berlin, who figures to get into a big role early on in this game.
On the other side, Florida State returns plenty from their Season 21 ACC Champion squad. But there are also key new faces as well, especially on offense. We start with QB Bear Michaels for FSU. He’s the guy tapped to replace the departing Zeus Claydon and is joined by freshmen HBs Dee Money and Adaviyan Augustin. This is a new look FSU entering a new era against a powerhouse. It should be a must-watch in Week 1.
North Carolina vs Texas – 8:30 PM Twitch
These are two teams who just missed out on their respective conference championships. Both have plenty to prove in the postseason, looking to get off on the right foot here in Week 1. Let’s get into it.
North Carolina has achieved much under AD Daniel Gunn. The Tar Heels won their first ACC Championship in Season 20. They again return an impressive recruiting class led by TE Frankie Frederick. But despite the success, North Carolina is still 0-5 all-time in the postseason. This game is about setting the right tone for the games far away. To take that next step in the postseason, you have to continue to prove yourself in the regular season. And this is a prime opportunity to do that on the road in enemy territory.
Texas, meanwhile, is a team also adjusting. The Longhorns lost by one point to USC in the playoffs last season, and now have a new QB entering Season 22. The Longhorns lost this matchup 48-24 last season, and now have to defend home turf against a motivated UNC squad. We should get an early look at QB Spunky Tolbert and this refreshed Texas squad. Given how close the Longhorns were to the Big XII title last season, there is no room for error here, even in non-conference.
Wednesday, January 8th
Michigan State vs Georgia – 6:30 PM Twitch
This will be a matchup of two teams who made the league take notice last season. Michigan State beat #1 USC in Los Angeles and made their first playoff appearance last season. Georgia once again made the playoffs and then took down a juggernaut in Ohio State in the first round. There is a lot to like in this matchup, especially for neutral viewers.
Michigan State largely returns the same squad as their Season 21 version. The big addition is freshman HB David Michael. With an otherwise veteran offense and defense, the Spartans are hoping to continue the chemistry they built last season and to make a big statement on the road in Week 1 of Season 22.
For Georgia, this will be a transition from last season. On defense, the Bulldogs return much of the same squad as last season. This is a veteran defense led by stars such as MLB Jad McPherson. The big question for Georgia will be on offense. While key pieces such as QB Brandon Petty and HB Jett O’Riley return, a lot of the production will come for Georgia from the 3-Star Draft. So this will be an early key test for UGA as they face a tough schedule, both non-conference and in the SEC.
Alabama vs Michigan – 6:30 PM YouTube
The two teams with much to prove in Week 1 of Season 22. Alabama travels north to Ann Arbor and gets a Michigan team looking to get some revenge after their poor record last season. Alabama will be a tough test early for the Wolverines, even at home in January in Michigan.
Alabama is another SEC team returning a bunch of their production from last season, including QB Johnny Ray Davis. Their big addition this season is HB Booker Travis, who will make his debut in this game. While there are a few depth spots Alabama will fill through the 3-Star Draft, the Crimson Tide is nearly complete. They will be a force, and have one goal this season. Challenge rival Auburn for CFSL supremacy.
Michigan has improved after last season’s 1-7 campaign. The Wolverines added WR Richard Powers and will add more pieces in the 3-Star Draft. They get a relatively early pick and will be able to get some of the top choices to help improve the record. This team is much better than last season’s record will indicate, but they will face a tough test early in Alabama at home. Their schedule isn’t easy like any Big 10 team, but this will be an important first step to make a statement about where the team is if they can beat Alabama.
Ohio State vs Colorado – 8:30 PM Twitch
This might be a sneaky pick for the best game of Week 1. Ohio State travels to Boulder to face Season 21 Big XII Champions Colorado. The Buckeyes won the Big 10 themselves in Season 21, and return much of the offense that might have been the CFSL’s best last season. The Buckeyes will rely on new additions, especially on defense. This will be the debuts of two MLBs for Ohio State Vladimir Antkowiak and Mason Davis. They’ll need big contributions early from both to win this one.
For Colorado, while their conference championship in Season 21 might have been surprising to some, this has been a few seasons of development for AD Skyler Shearer.
This is now a veteran team with a few spots that needed to be replaced in the offseason. One of those spots was TE Kellen Taylor, who should factor in early on offense in this one. The Buffaloes will face a much improved Big XII in the conference schedule, but start their season with maybe their toughest test of the entire season. If they can win here, they’ll send a statement to the entire league audience.
West Virginia vs Oregon – 8:30 PM YouTube
This will be a matchup of two teams who have had success in the past, but who fell on hard times in Season 21. Yes, both teams went 0-8 in Season 21, but don’t take these rosters for granted.
Let’s start with West Virginia. While the roster was undermanned last season, that is not the case as much this season. While there are still holes to fill in the 3-Star Draft, the Mountaineers added a few key pieces in the offseason already. That includes TE Hamilton Berger and CB Tank Golden, who should factor in early and often on this roster. With only one season left of QB Gunner Rice’s eligibility, this season is key for the Mountaineers to get back on the right track.
Oregon, meanwhile, has a new QB along with a few other new pieces in tow. Their recruiting class was led by QB Alexa Earl. Earl joins junior HB Ryan Ralosky to create a key one-two punch on offense. On defense, the Ducks have some veteran pieces who look to factor in early against West Virginia’s refreshed offense. The key for Oregon here is to continue to establish their offensive identity and to take those key developmental steps in game planning. A win here for either team will immediately provide a boost after disappointments last season.
Thursday, January 9th
Oklahoma vs Virginia Tech – 6:30 PM Twitch
What a story Oklahoma was last season. Picked to finish at or near the bottom of the Big XII in most predictions, the Sooners went out and shocked the world, even if it ended in disappointment in the first round of the playoffs against Auburn. Virginia Tech may have had a 2-6 record last season, but had some close games against ACC powerhouses and competed well. Now, they get the chance to make their next steps with a big early non-conference matchup at home.
Starting with Oklahoma, this season is all about proving they belong among the CFSL elite. With QB Himoteo Del Este, the Sooners will never be out of any games. He might just be my pick for the most electrifying athlete in the CFSL. The Sooners return almost everyone from Season 21 but will get a boost at some key spots, including the first appearance from freshmen DE JJ Stout, one of the top defensive recruits this offseason.
Virginia Tech also returns a bunch of pieces from Season 21 but made some key signings in recruiting as well. Freshmen such as HB Malcolm Dansby, WR John Lee, and SS CJ Mucci should figure to play a big role early and often. The Hokies don’t get a break with their Week 1 non-conference opponent but also have an opportunity here. Virginia Tech is still looking for that signature win and their first playoff appearance in team history. A win here would help fill both goals early on in Season 22.
Kentucky vs Miami – 6:30 PM YouTube
I am shocked this game was put on YouTube. This might be the most highly anticipated YouTube game in CFSL history. Both Kentucky and Miami were playoff teams last season, and return many players from last season. Add in Kentucky’s dynasty history and Miami’s quest to get back on top of the mountain, and you have the recipe for an absolute blast of a matchup.
Let’s start with the obvious with Kentucky. Yes, the Wildcats have had a change at AD (again). And they’ve lost some key pieces. This is not the same team that won a National Championship in Season 19. But with that said, the Wildcats still won the whole thing just over two seasons ago. And with maybe the most senior-heavy roster in the entire CFSL, there is plenty of championship experience that remains on the roster. They won’t get an easy schedule for a first-time AD, but EugeneTheAce should get the chance to make a statement in Week 1 here. And it will be a blast to watch against a quality opponent.
Miami also might’ve lost some pieces, but AD George Yost is a veteran of this league. QB Leisa Pink leads this veteran roster for maybe one last run before Miami needs to make some big changes to the roster. If this indeed is the last ride for a large group of seniors, the group has some work to do. Rivals in FSU and UNC aren’t going anywhere, and Miami starts with a tough non-conference schedule as well. It’s now or never for both teams in this matchup, and we should be in for a real show come Week 1.
Clemson vs LSU – 8:30 PM Twitch
Tiger Bowl! Welcome back to the CFSL, LSU AD Josh Claydon. That’s still weird for longtime fans of the CFSL like myself. Still, this should be an entertaining game as a neutral viewer, beyond the fact LSU’s new AD will make his debut here.
Clemson loaded up this offseason. While there are still plenty of 3 stars just like last season, the Tigers built up much more this offseason. That includes a new QB under center for the second season in a row. QB Bojack Merriweather will make his debut against LSU on the road. Talk about a tough test for him and the rest of his young squad. Clemson may be one of the youngest teams in the CFSL, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers aren’t ready to make that next big step under AD Logan Wetzel.
LSU might be headlining a new AD, but this team added much more than that this offseason. We will start with sophomore QB Tavon Moss. Moss transferred to LSU from Clemson this offseason. His first game in an LSU uniform will be against his former team. Freshman FS Cohen James was another top defensive recruit this offseason, and he will make his debut in this game as well. For LSU, the Big XII was much improved this offseason. The Tigers might be a big reason for this, but they aren’t the only reason. It’s crucial for the new regime under Josh Claydon to get a good start to the season here, and Clemson won’t make it easy at all.
Tennessee vs Notre Dame – 8:30 PM YouTube
The final game of Week 1 of Season 22 will feature plenty of intrigue. Both of these squads will feature a lot of players from the 3-Star Draft. At the time of writing, that hasn’t happened yet, so we don’t know what a lot of each squad will look like. Still, there is a lot to analyze in each squad that we know so far.
For Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish are looking to rebound from a disappointing Season 21. Freshman QB Matt Perez headlines their recruiting class, and he has some talent to work with. However, Notre Dame’s strength this season will come from defense, specifically the three 5-star CBs in David Perez, Jacobia Watson, and Jordan Little. All three will be asked to play a big role this season as Notre Dame continues to rebuild.
For Tennessee, the Volunteers have a new look around the roster. Junior QB Sterling Verdugo returns, but he is joined by freshman HB Kelby Fulton, among others. This roster is better compared to last season, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t work to do, especially against an SEC schedule. Both rosters are incomplete as of now, and we will know much more soon. For both teams, this is a crucial season to take the next steps. The question is, who can start to progress first in Week 1?
