Conference play is all-important for college teams hunting titles and success, but some of the most eagerly-awaited football games of each year pit juggernauts from different conferences against one another. This guide looks at the non-conference battles with the biggest potential for thrills, drama, and great football in 2022.
This Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic is supposedly held on neutral ground, but the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is sure to be packed with Georgia fans. The Bulldogs are fresh off a national championship, but the defensive coordinator who helped them seal the title is now head coach at Oregon. Dan Lanning will be hoping his inside knowledge of the Georgia team will get him a result in his first game in charge of the Ducks. Tickets start at USD $144.
Utah won the Pac-12 title in 2021, and offensive powerhouse Tavion Thomas looks set for another great season at running back. The Utes are heading to the Swamp for their first game, where Billy Napier is beginning his debut season as Gators head coach. A traditional heavyweight of the SEC, Florida has underperformed in recent years – this game will be an exciting test of the new-look team against a potential repeat Pac-12 champion. Tickets start at USD $73.
Ohio State v Notre Dame, 3 September
This opening week matchup features 2 of the most storied programs in college football, as the Fighting Irish travel to Ohio Stadium. Although the Ohio State defence showed weaknesses in crucial games last season, quarterback CJ Stroud is favourite for the 2022 Heisman Trophy and will be keen to showcase his skills from the first snap. Tickets start at USD $274.
LSU v Florida State, 4 September
Brian Kelly made the switch from Notre Dame to Tiger Stadium ahead of the 2022 season, and the new LSU head coach has been given a high-profile matchup to kick off his tenure. Both the Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles have performed below their historic programs’ best in the last couple of years, so these renowned football schools have something to prove in Week 1. Tickets start at USD $174.
Alabama were runners up to Georgia in 2021, and the Tide is the popular pick for the national championship in 2022. This early game against Texas will be a stern test, and a real treat for fans of these southern powerhouse teams, who have not played each other in a regular season game for 100 years. Their last meeting was in the Rose Bowl in 2010, when the Tide beat the Longhorns to bring Nick Saban his first national championship. Tickets start at USD $318.
Auburn v Penn State, 17 September
This is another matchup between 2 titans of the game who have failed to reach their usual heights in the past year. Penn State lost 6 of their last 8 games in the 2021 season after an impressive 5-0 start, while Auburn finished their campaign with 5 straight defeats. Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin desperately needs a home win, but the Nittany Lions will be tough opposition. Tickets start at USD $234.
Nebraska v Oklahoma, 17 September
The Sooners travel to Lincoln to face the Cornhuskers, in a rematch of the very close game these teams played in Norman last year. Oklahoma won that meeting by 7 points and they will be the favourites again this time around, but the Huskers need a result after a very poor end to their 2021 season, and another close game looks likely. Tickets start at USD $122.
Texas A&M v Miami, 17 September
Texas A&M is a popular pick to make a playoff run this year, with the help of an incredible recruiting class. The Aggies have signed 5 prospects with 5-star ratings, including 2 of the top 3 recruits nationwide in DTs Walter Nolen and Gabe Brownlow-Dindy. The Miami Hurricanes should benefit from a strong coaching staff under new head coach Mario Cristobal, and this mid-September game will offer valuable insight into the 2022 potential of both these prestigious programs. Tickets start at USD $97.