2022 college football schedule superlatives — Whose slate is hardest, easiest and everything in between

College football schedules as we have come to know them are about to vary endlessly, doubtlessly a number of occasions over the subsequent few years.

Who is aware of what number of conferences we’ll have, what these conferences will seem like and who will play whom after all of the jockeying and realignment ends — if it ever does?

But regardless of the upheaval — as we take a deeper dive into inspecting the 2022 schedules — preserve in thoughts a phrase that may stand the check of time so long as there’s college football: Ain’t no one performed no one.

We’ll hand out a couple of schedule superlatives for the 2022 season, and do not forget that some superlatives aren’t all the time so “super.” All rankings referenced are from ESPN’s newest Way-Too-Early Top 25. Also, it is about this time yearly we carry out Steve Spurrier’s line from his previous coach Pepper Rodgers {that a} coach is “only as good as his players and his schedule.”

For what it is value, the 2 groups that performed for the nationwide championship final 12 months — Alabama and Georgia — mixed to face throughout the 2021 common season simply three Power 5 groups that managed greater than eight regular-season wins. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs additionally mixed to supply 22 choices in the 2022 NFL draft, together with 11 gamers taken in both the primary or second rounds. The defending nationwide champion Dawgs had a document 15 gamers drafted, probably the most for the reason that draft moved to a seven-round format in 1994.

Now, on to our choices:

Toughest total Power 5 schedule

A handful of faculties could make robust instances right here, together with Auburn, Georgia Tech, Indiana, LSU, Mississippi State, Stanford and Vanderbilt. But for the second straight 12 months, Arkansas’ schedule is brutal, with 5 video games in opposition to top-25 groups. The Hogs are one among 5 Power 5 groups (Georgia Tech, Oregon, Stanford and Texas Tech the others) which have two nonconference video games in opposition to ranked groups — No. 23 Cincinnati at residence to open the season Sept. 3 and No. 19 BYU on the street Oct. 15. In the three weeks main as much as that BYU journey, Arkansas faces No. 5 Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, No. 1 Alabama at residence and Mississippi State on the street. Throw in the journey to Auburn on Oct. 29, and the Hogs have a stretch the place they play 4 of 5 video games away from residence.

Easiest total Power 5 schedule

It’s solely honest that a few first-year coaches draw the easiest schedules. Mike Elko takes over a Duke program that completed 3-9 a 12 months in the past and inherits a schedule that features simply two top-25 opponents. But the nod right here goes to Virginia, which in Tony Elliott’s first season will face only one preseason top-25 foe, and that is No. 15 Pittsburgh at residence Nov. 12. The Cavaliers additionally keep away from the ACC’s two highest-ranked groups in the preseason (Clemson and NC State) and have a comfortable nonconference schedule that options only one street recreation (at Illinois). Louisville, Miami and North Carolina all have to come back to Charlottesville.

Most fascinating schedule

BYU’s closing schedule as an unbiased is highlighted by an Oct. 8 journey to Las Vegas to tackle Notre Dame at Allegiant Stadium. The subsequent week, BYU returns residence to face Arkansas. We’ll name it the Irish/Hogs swing. A tip of the cap, too, to BYU’s journey division. The Cougars open the season Sept. 3 in Tampa in opposition to South Florida. They fly again throughout the nation Oct. 22 after they face Liberty in Lynchburg, Virginia, whereas making journeys to a pair of Pac-12 venues — Autzen Stadium to play Oregon on Sept. 17 (every week after dealing with future Big 12 companion Baylor at residence) and Stanford Stadium to play the Cardinal in the regular-season finale Nov. 26. If that is not sufficient, there’s additionally a Nov. 5 journey to Boise State and its iconic blue turf.

Toughest Power 5 nonconference schedule

Brutal nonconference schedules are by no means perfect for a coach who is on the so-called scorching seat, however that is precisely what Georgia Tech’s Geoff Collins faces in 2022. The Yellow Jackets, coming off three consecutive three-win seasons beneath Collins, get No. 21 Ole Miss at residence the third week of the season, then flip round and play at UCF the next week. The “fun” half is the annual regular-season finale in opposition to No. 3 Georgia, which occurs to be in Athens this 12 months.

Toughest Group of 5 nonconference schedule

I’ll say this for Kent State: The Golden Flashes ain’t scared. They play street video games at Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia — all in the month of September. Sean Lewis has accomplished a brilliant job of turning round Kent State’s program. The Flashes performed in the Mid-American Conference championship recreation a 12 months in the past. But, whew, thank goodness for assured payouts. Kent State will pocket $5.2 million to climate that September gauntlet, and good for Lewis that he has language in his contract stipulating that a few of that cash goes on to the football price range.

Easiest Power 5 nonconference schedule

In a photograph end, Michigan edges out UCLA in their battle of glorified scrimmages to prepare for convention play. Neither workforce faces a Power 5 opponent, and all their nonleague video games are at residence. The Wolverines, coming off their first College Football Playoff look, aren’t precisely diving proper again into the fray. They open the 2022 season in opposition to Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn. It’s the primary time in 78 years that Michigan will not play a nonconference recreation in opposition to a present Power 5 member or Notre Dame. Dishonorable point out goes to Ole Miss, which masses up on Troy, Central Arkansas, Tulsa and Georgia Tech earlier than leaping into SEC play.

Toughest open to the season

See the above part on the hardest Power 5 nonconference schedule, and not a lot of a proof is wanted. Georgia Tech opens the season on Monday, Sept. 5 in opposition to No. 13 Clemson. Sure, the sport is in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, however that place can be splattered in orange. After a brief week to prepare for Western Carolina at residence, the Yellow Jackets transfer on to No. 21 Ole Miss at residence and Group of 5 energy UCF on the street to shut out September. They stay on the street because the calendar flips to October to face No. 15 Pittsburgh.

Toughest near the season

Who may blame them at Hail State in the event that they’re saying, “What the hell?” From Oct. 1 on, there’s just one breather for Mississippi State, and that is in opposition to an East Tennessee State workforce that beat Vanderbilt final season and went deep into the FCS playoffs. The month of October presents residence video games in opposition to No. 5 Texas A&M and No. 20 Arkansas and street video games in opposition to No. 22 Kentucky and No. 1 Alabama. After a bye week, it is again residence in opposition to Auburn and No. 3 Georgia to kick off November. Then it is ETSU at residence and a brief five-day week earlier than touring to No. 21 Ole Miss on Thanksgiving night time. Cue the cowbells.

Cushiest open to the season

Once once more, it is Michigan and UCLA competing for the grand prize. We’ll go along with the Bruins this time. The Rose Bowl is going to look mighty empty when Bowling Green, Alabama State and South Alabama come rolling into Pasadena these first three weeks of September. UCLA then opens its convention season on the street in opposition to a Colorado workforce being picked close to the underside of the Pac-12. Bottom line: If Michigan and UCLA aren’t each 4-0 to begin the season, there’s going to be some critical splainin’ to do.

Cushiest near the season

Entering his fifth season at Arizona State, Herm Edwards is trying to construct off an eight-win season a 12 months in the past (6-3 in the Pac-12). The again half of the Sun Devils’ schedule seems greater than manageable, with street video games in opposition to Colorado, Washington State and Arizona and residence video games in opposition to UCLA and Oregon State. The entrance a part of Arizona State’s schedule is loaded, with away video games in opposition to Oklahoma State and USC and a house date with Utah, nevertheless it’s principally downhill after that.

Toughest street schedule

Bryan Harsin has had smoother offseasons. He resolutely survived as Auburn’s coach following an inner inquiry by the varsity that left him dangling. Surviving the Tigers’ street schedule can be equally daunting. Auburn is the one SEC West workforce that has to go to each No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia. There’s additionally a visit to No. 21 Ole Miss the week after the Georgia recreation and a Nov. 5 journey to Mississippi State, which rallied from a 28-3 deficit to win on the Plains final season. The good news for the Tigers is that they’ve eight residence video games, together with their first 5, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Easiest residence schedule

Looking to repeat as nationwide champion, Georgia has the house schedule to take action. The opener in opposition to No. 16 Oregon is not a real residence recreation, despite the fact that it is at close by Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. But after that, just one top-25 workforce (No. 24 Tennessee) involves Athens.

Toughest three-game stretch

The standards right here is three video games in three consecutive weeks, however Syracuse has 4 video games in opposition to top-25 foes in 4 consecutive weeks. Holy Dino Babers! The Orange play No. 8 NC State at residence Oct. 15, then journey to No. 12 Clemson on Oct. 22, return residence to face No. 7 Notre Dame on Oct. 29 and hit the street once more to face No. 15 Pittsburgh on Nov. 5. It’s not like the next two weeks are breathers, both. Syracuse is residence in opposition to Florida State on Nov. 12, then on the street in opposition to No. 17 Wake Forest on Nov. 19.

Must-see nonconference video games

The caveat right here is that the video games are on campus, not neutral-site video games. Part of the material of college football is a faculty and its fan base touring to a special a part of the nation and taking up one other college in entrance of its fan base … on campus. Yes, college football is altering, however here is hoping we by no means lose this sacred a part of the game.

• Utah at Florida, Sept. 3
• Notre Dame at Ohio State, Sept. 3
• Alabama at Texas, Sept. 10
• Miami at Texas A&M, Sept. 17
• Michigan State at Washington, Sept. 17
• Penn State at Auburn, Sept. 17
• Clemson at Notre Dame, Nov. 5
• Notre Dame at USC, Nov. 26

Conference chaos

There’s all the time that one weekend in convention play that shakes issues up, supplies some readability for the remainder of the season and perhaps even produces a couple of surprises.

Week 5 has particular potentialities:

• Alabama at Arkansas
• LSU at Auburn
• Michigan at Iowa
• NC State at Clemson
• Oklahoma State at Baylor
• Texas A&M at Mississippi State
• Washington at UCLA

Going Power-less

Only 5 Power 5 colleges this season will keep away from taking part in a nonconference recreation in opposition to one other Power 5 college, Notre Dame or BYU. Three of the culprits are in the Big Ten — Indiana, Maryland and Michigan — though Indiana will get a move. The Hoosiers play at No. 23 Cincinnati. The Pac-12 makes up the remainder of this doubtful listing. Oregon State and UCLA are additionally skipping out on taking part in any Power 5 foes in the nonconference a part of their schedules.

Deep in the center of Texas

Texas would not play exterior the state of Texas till an Oct. 22 journey to No. 11 Oklahoma State, however that is simply a part of the story for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. The recreation everybody has circled is No. 1 Alabama’s go to on the second week of the season, however the Horns higher stay awake on UTSA the subsequent week. The Roadrunners gained 12 video games and the Conference USA title final season. Then on Sept. 24, Texas hits the street for Texas Tech, and here is betting the oldsters in Lubbock will not be too variety to the SEC-bound Longhorns. And that is to not point out the Red River Showdown with Oklahoma on Oct. 8 on the Cotton Bowl.

Jimbo vs. Saban

No recreation in 2022 can be extra anticipated than Texas A&M’s journey to Alabama on Oct. 8 after the fireworks this offseason between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban. For Alabama, that recreation can be sandwiched between two robust street journeys to Arkansas and Tennessee. For Texas A&M, it’ll come the week after a street recreation in opposition to Mississippi State, and the Aggies can have a bye week following the Alabama recreation earlier than touring to South Carolina on Oct. 22.

Big East reunion

West Virginia, which has suffered by means of shedding seasons in two of the previous three years, is the one Big 12 workforce that may play two nonconference video games in opposition to Power 5 opponents in 2022. Not solely that, however each are on the street and each are Thursday night time video games. The Mountaineers go to Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl on Sept. 1 and go to Virginia Tech on Sept. 22. Once upon a time, West Virginia, Pitt and Virginia Tech have been all Big East brethren.

Tar Heels touring a special street

Several Power 5 groups will play true street video games in opposition to Group of 5 groups, notably three in-state matchups — Virginia Tech touring to Old Dominion on Sept. 2, and North Carolina taking part in at Appalachian State and NC State opening its season at East Carolina, each on Sept. 3. The Tar Heels even have two true street video games in opposition to Group of 5 foes. They play at Georgia State on Sept. 10, marking the primary time in historical past {that a} Power 5 program has performed at Georgia State. Shawn Elliott’s Panthers aren’t a workforce to take evenly, both. They’re coming off probably the most profitable season in college historical past (eight wins and a bowl victory) and return most of their key playmakers on offense and protection.

Clemson and the SEC

This one all the time boils the blood of SEC followers. Clemson is 12-4 in opposition to the SEC over the previous seven years, and the Tigers get an opportunity to make it 13-4 after they face in-state rival South Carolina at residence Nov. 26. Those 4 losses have been to groups that gained the nationwide championship. Of the 12 wins, six are in opposition to South Carolina, however the Tigers have crushed Alabama twice in College Football Playoff video games. And over the previous 10 years, Clemson has crushed six totally different SEC groups — Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina and Texas A&M.

Army football hits the South

Three of Army’s 4 true street video games are in the South, starting at Coastal Carolina on Sept. 3, the place the Black Knights hit the Smurf Turf and would possibly even pay a go to to Broadway on the Beach. From there, it is at Wake Forest on Oct. 8 and at Troy on Nov. 12.

Hoops heaven

Kansas’ residence recreation in opposition to Duke on Sept. 24 is not seemingly to attract a ton of nationwide curiosity, though the Jayhawks confirmed some life final season with their upset of Texas on the street. But in the event that they actually wished to spice this one up, they may take into consideration holding a basketball scrimmage at halftime.