College football

Week 1 of the college football season offers intriguing matchups and possible surprises. Our experts make bold predictions and pick every Top 25 game.

Opening up on the road against East Carolina is a massive trap game and the Pirates are going to be up to the challenge. There going to be a Week 1 shocker and it's going to come from the Lone Star State. State, which will head to the coast to take on East Carolina. Oh yeah, and App State knocked off the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill in 2019, so this year’s version will not lack confidence. But it's the Roadrunners who get a substantial boost to their resume with a big win, led by quarterback Frank Harris. 25 Houston with the Cougars being a trendy pick to possibly reach the New Year's Six. Winning on the road against a Power Five opponent from the SEC would shake that up and show the program's staying power under Luke Fickell. Florida will pull off the first major upset of the 2022 season in taking down No. It's a matchup of two of the sport's elite programs that have won a multitude of national championships and featured a slew of Heisman Trophy winners. And the main course is about as good as you could script: No. Little is expected of the Gators this year – too little, in my opinion. The time for great rejoicing is here for college football.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly smiles as he walks across the field during NCAA college football. Former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly makes his debut as Louisiana ...

[Brian Kelly](https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2021-11-30/lincoln-riley-usc-brian-kelly-notre-dame-college-football-greed) starts a new era in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers, who finished 6-7 under former coach Ed Orgeron last season, are favored by three points. The Utes, the defending Pac-12 champions, travel to the Southeast to open the season against the Gators of the SEC and new coach Billy Napier. 3 Buckeyes and the No. [Dan Lanning](https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2021-12-11/chip-kelly-likely-to-remain-at-ucla-after-oregon-hires-dan-lanning), who oversaw a Bulldogs defense as its coordinator and mentor on its way to a national championship, returns to Georgia as the new coach of the Ducks, last season’s Pac-12 runners-up. Daniels](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-26/jt-daniels-georgia-star-usc-quarterback) begins a new career with the Mountaineers — his third team after stops at Southern California and Georgia, and [Kedon Slovis](https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2021-12-21/former-usc-quarterback-kedon-slovis-transferring-to-pitt), who makes his debut after transferring to Pittsburgh. The Razorbacks, who finished with nine wins and a bowl appearance against Penn State, are led by quarterback K.J. The No. The Bearcats, who are coming off a wonderful 2021 season in which they advanced to the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs, will begin anew at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. The Nittany Lions lead the series 15-3-1 and are favored by 3½ points. The Panthers return five starters on the offensive line and are favored by 7½ points. The Nittany Lions and the Boilermakers start conference play in this Big Ten opener at West Lafayette, Ind.

College football kicks off in full this week, and we have four picks for the start of your betting season, including a heavyweight underdog.

TCU ranked fifth nationally in expected points added (EPA) per rush and 30th in EPA per pass in 2021, and now gets all those offensive weapons back. Of the four offensive and defensive units involved in this game, only one — TCU’s offense — is at all trustable at this point in the season. The Broncos and Beavers have almost identical returning production: 73 percent to 72 percent, respectively. Western Michigan returns just 45 percent of its production, which ranks 126th out of 131 FBS teams. Quarterback Payton Thorne, who threw 27 touchdown passes and rushed for four more, and leading receiver Jayden Reed are among those who are back, along with nine of Michigan State’s 12 defenders who played at least 400 snaps last season. Yes, the Broncos upset future ACC champion Pittsburgh on the road, went 8-5 and won their bowl game last season, but Coach Tim Lester is otherwise 0-8 against Power Five teams during his Western Michigan tenure, losing those games by an average of 25.6 points. The Irish cover. Stroud at quarterback, TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams at running back (1,755 combined rushing yards in 2021), and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,606 receiving yards). The Fighting Irish have been dismal in road games against elite competition, going 0-10 in their last 10 games away from home against top-10 teams and losing those games by an average of 16.4 points. Story continues below advertisement This column will give out four picks per week: the game of the week, a favorite, an underdog and a wild card, which can be anything (another favorite or underdog in a game that might be flying under the radar, or a total, for instance). But pick we must, and hopefully we can all get off on the right foot.

There are three Top 25 college football match-ups on Sept. 3 to kickoff Week 1 of the 2022 NCAA season. Handicapper chip-ins on the big game matchups, ...

The Top 25 is certain to change and see some surprises as teams move through the college football season. With a game total of 59.5, the preferred pick is for Ohio State to eclipse their team total of 37.5. The Irish have dealt with a number of injuries through training camp and are up against it in a number of position match-ups against the Buckeyes. - No. Arkansas overachieved last season and and has to reload on defense with just a handful of returning starters. Another Pac-12 vs SEC match-up generating a log of betting interest is Utah (-2.5) at Florida. Cincinnati regroups after losing a number of key contributors from their team that was the first Group of 5 team to make the College Football Playoff. It will be one of the most bet games of the weekend with more that 80% of the seats filled with Bulldog fans on the neutral field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. There are three Top 25 match-ups in Week 1 following last weekend’s light schedule of seven games to kickoff the college football season. Last year’s defensive coordinator at Georgia is now the head coach at Oregon, and Dan Lanning brought in Auburn transfer QB Bo Nix to lead the Ducks. Fans interested in betting can take advantage of the many sportsbook promotions offered which often include risk-free bets and bonuses for signing up. landscape provides great competition both on the field and throughout the country.

A weekend chock full of college football and little time to breathe. What could be better?

Football is now truly back. Pace yourselves, football fans, and enjoy every minute. Expectations for the Buckeyes are sky high this year, with many experts pegging for the CFP Championship. South Dakota State @ Iowa (11:00 AM, FS1) - You’re gonna watch this without me telling you to. But the main event of the entire weekend goes down in Columbus when #5 Our first full Saturday gives us a full plate of tasty entrees to sink our teeth into (damn!). Any time the reigning national champion takes on another top-15 team, that should get your attention. [TCU](https://www.frogsowar.com) at Colorado (9:00 PM, ESPN) is a somewhat decent nightcap if you’re hard up for two middling-to-bottom-of-their-conference teams to fall asleep to. If Thursday was a bit thin on big games, Friday is nearly one-dimensional. The series has seen its fair share of classics, including a 13-9 Pitt upset of the then #2-ranked Mountaineers, spoiling a possible BCS championship campaign. Getting a conference win is tough, and getting one in Week 1 is even more so, and the stakes are high for both teams in this one. To be fair, that’s not out of the ordinary for a Thursday night slate, especially so early in the season.

A closer look at the top games that will kick off Week 1 of the 2022 college football season.

The Vols are certainly suspect defensively, but they did allow just six points against MAC foe [Bowling Green](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/BGREEN/bowling-green-falcons/) in last year's opener. While two former [USC](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/USC/usc-trojans/) quarterbacks -- [JT Daniels](/college-football/players/2964582/jt-daniels/) for WVU, [Kedon Slovis](/college-football/players/3123467/kedon-slovis/) for Pitt -- will dominate the conversation, both teams are stronger on the defensive side of the ball. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/collegefootball/?irad=399332&irmp=416484&sharedID=HTW) (Try for free) -- The point total in Ball State's last seven games against Power Five opposition failed to reach 68 points. There's also the matter of Pitt's offense evolving through the loss of Kenny Pickett, [Jordan Addison](/college-football/players/3162290/jordan-addison/) and OC Mark Whipple, and the implementation of a new offense. [college football](/college-football): the Backyard Brawl between [West Virginia](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/WVU/west-virginia-mountaineers/) and No. [Oklahoma State](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/OKLAST/oklahoma-state-cowboys/) hosts [Central Michigan](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/CMICH/central-michigan-chippewas/) in the first meeting between the programs since a miraculous, if not controversial, 30-27 Chippewas win in Stillwater, Oklahoma, back in 2016. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/collegefootball/?irad=399332&irmp=416484&sharedID=HTW) (Try for free) -- It ain't called the Backyard Shootout, it's called the Backyard Brawl. I have legitimate concerns about Purdue's ability to quickly replace the key parts it lost from last year's team, and Penn State should have the clear talent advantage. The Cowboys allowed just 18.1 points per game in 2021 and limited opponents to just 2.71 yards per carry. Then, a Big Ten cross-divisional game between [Penn State](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/PSU/penn-state-nittany-lions/) and [Purdue](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/PURDUE/purdue-boilermakers/) keeps the entertainment going with the Nittany Lions hoping to start 2022 off on the right foot after consecutive disappointing seasons. Let's take a look at our expert picks for the best games on Thursday of Week 1. In the span of Thursday through Labor Day, we'll have five loaded days of college football, providing wall-to-wall (or screen-to-screen) action that will have a little bit of something for everyone.

It's impossible to talk about this game without mentioning all the USC Trojans storylines, even if that program probably makes Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi ...

But there is a lot of pride on the line with the AAC's Tigers, and they've been a dangerous program in recent years. have a lot of weapons, and with Notre Dame breaking in a new quarterback in Tyler Buchner, there are a lot of unknowns for the Irish. The former Appalachian State coach was phenomenal in the Group of Five, but it's been a slow rebuild after the Bobby Petrino fiasco. It's between the Cardinals and Texas Tech as to who is going to be this year's surprise like Arizona was last year. While the Buckeyes are heavy favorites for good reason, Oregon traveled across country in the early season and upset Ohio State in the Shoe a year ago. They are expected to do so without much issue, entering the game against the Tigers as a 16-point favorite. But that's what first-year coach Marcus Freeman is facing this weekend in his first regular-season game as a head coach of the prestigious program. The same can be said for SDSU, and it's going to be interesting to see if coach Brady Hoke's team is better or worse. There are a lot of uncertainties, but to pretend UGA doesn't have them, too, is ludicrous. Despite being hired before the College Football Playoff, Lanning stayed on and coordinated a brilliant defense that was the catalyst to the title run. You should look for it too, and while this is a list of games to watch, these are NOT predictions that they WILL happen. This year, the Hoosiers have plenty of hope with Mizzou transfer quarterback Connor Bazelak leading the way, but can they make a huge turnaround?

ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team's future performance ...

[Bookmark](https://si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq) 5 Notre Dame at No. 23 Cincinnati at No. No. Sat., Sept. What does the College Football Power Index computer prediction model think of the best games? Mon., Sept. Sun., Sept. 3 Fri., Sept. Thurs., Sept.

Sports Illustrated college football experts have submitted their 2022 college football playoff predictions. Did Georgia make the cut?

There have been a lot of differing opinions in regard to how Georgia will finish out the regular season. Forde and Garcia predicted the Bulldogs to make the playoff for the second year in a row and both also predicted Alabama to make the cut. On the flip side, Dellenger and Johnson left Georgia out of their playoff predictions. Interestingly enough, both Forde and Garcia did have the Bulldogs placed at the No. 3 seed with the Crimson Tide sitting at the top as the No. all submitted their predictions as to who they think will make the college football playoff this season.

College football always surprises and with Week 1 at hand, our experts make predictions for the playoff and the rest highs and lows of the season.

The first one applies for this year at the Buckeyes have loads of talent and no excuses not to end up in the Final Fou. Lose that game, and the Aggies basically have to go 11-0 in their other contests to make the College Football Playoff. Baylor does get Oklahoma State at home but must travel to Oklahoma and Texas and must also make the long trek to West Virginia. This one in the Big Ten promises to be national news by virtue of the rivalry, but it could match or even exceed last year’s hoopla should the Buckeyes and Wolverines be battling for the Big Ten Easth. That will change, and I think we'll see it immediately in the results. While the seat is hot at Texas, Steve Sarkisian might be on to something,They have a chance and the talent to compete in the suddenly wide-open Big 12 now that Lincoln Riley has taken his act out west. Though neither will probably say it in the lead-up to this game, both coaches will want to send a message, and that should make things interesting. It seems like this could very well be a situation where the winner goes to the playoff. Jace Evans: Will Anderson, Alabama: If Anderson makes a run at Terrell Suggs’ official NCAA record of 24 sacks, and the Crimson Tide go wire to wire at No. With what Anderson did last season, people will have him on the radar to start the year in a way that we haven't seen from many defensive players. The Sooners have the best shot of the others to make the field with their difficult Big 12 games at home and a reinvigorated program under Brent Venables. I’m picking the Wolverines to repeat atop the Big Ten and Utah to win the Pac-12.

On Saturday, big games include No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 3 Georgia against No. 11 Oregon. College football rankings: Top 25 scores, schedule ...

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Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel, and Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde and Ross Dellenger discuss the highly anticipated Top 5 matchup between 5 Notre Dame and 2 Ohio ...

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The most wonderful time of the year has arrived for sports fans. It is football season, which means that your weekends will be dominated by countless games ...

He ran for 153 yards on 26 attempts and scored two touchdowns in the 40-37 overtime loss. Tucker ran for 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns on 246 carries in 12 games. So, who would make a top 10 list for the best runners in all of college football? In the 2020 season, Tucker put up respectable numbers, tallying 626 yards and four touchdowns on 137 attempts in nine games. The 2022 college football season has finally arrived. When it comes to the most electrifying position players, that belongs to the running backs.

The Ole Miss Rebels were formidable and tough under former coach Hugh Freeze, but then Freeze engaged in scandalous behavior on a number of fronts and ...

The Rebels will go 4-4 in the SEC, not 3-5. Ole Miss could easily go 3-5 in the SEC. Ole Miss should be able to beat Auburn, LSU, and Mississippi State in the SEC West. An Ole Miss program which beat Nick Saban and Alabama multiple times, and proved to be a thorn in the side of college football’s most dynastic program over the past 15 years, lost all its stature and influence in the SEC. SEC West programs are in transition this season, but there is a lot of talent at those competitors to Ole Miss. The Ole Miss Rebels were formidable and tough under former coach Hugh Freeze, but then Freeze engaged in scandalous behavior on a number of fronts and essentially got himself fired.

The Auburn Tigers have a roster with a lot of questions, but room for plenty of upside with several players that could break out. Here are some bold predictions ...

We've seen Zakoby McClain succeed in his role, Riley is the next man up. The veteran tight end did not have any scoring receptions in 2021, while Hudson and Demetris Robertson tied for the team lead with four. He could be primed to pop off in 2022. A ton of attention is rightfully on Owen Pappoe, but I believe the way the defensive coaching staff will use Riley is close to the line of scrimmage where he can use his size to engage in contact with interior linemen and pursue running backs close to the line. [Locked On Auburn](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKTcopY1j-6o5XxlcPyl7Fg), and was met with some frustrated fans. We've heard nothing but high praise towards Dawson from the coaching staff.

Nine months after arriving in the U.S. from South Korea, I watched my first college football game. I was 12 and living in a suburban house with a host ...

I knew nothing about the two teams, but the moment I sat down in the bleachers, I felt I belonged. I was often the first to joke about my accent, my Korean heritage or even eating dogs, just to beat others to the punch. As I bounced from one host family to another, from Oak Park to La Mirada to Diamond Bar, the sport was there for me every Saturday. It was also a reminder of how little I belong. In 2010, when I found out I was an undocumented immigrant, the Broncos were becoming a legitimate national title contender. I didn’t start out following college football as a way to fit in. The few connections I had made in Van Nuys were gone in a flash. I tried listening to Iron Maiden. I tried listening to rap. I became a “parachute kid,” studying in the U.S. The six months I had spent in Korea listening to English instruction tapes proved spectacularly useless. I was bullied in school in Seoul.

NCAA football scores, live updates and highlights from the teams playing on Thursday in Week 1.

[GameTracker](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/live/NCAAF_20220901_VMI@WAKE/) [GameTracker](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/live/NCAAF_20220901_BALLST@TENN/) [GameTracker](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/live/NCAAF_20220901_CMICH@OKLAST/) [GameTracker](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/live/NCAAF_20220901_WVU@PITT/) CBS Sports will be here every step of the way to update you with the latest scores, highlights and storylines throughout the evening. Though just six of Thursday's contests pit Football Bowl Subdivision teams against each other, there will be three ranked teams among those in action.

Good morning, I'm Dan Gartland. Pitt playing West Virginia tonight is bringing back memories of Pat White and Steve Slaton. In today's SI:AM:.

Open](https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/09/01/tiger-woods-zendaya-headline-celebs-watching-serena-williams-at-u-s-open). 3 and 12) and once [in ’06](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mcginjo01&t=p&year=1906) (Aug. [in 1901](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mcginjo01&t=p&year=1901) (Sept. (The NFL didn’t even count sacks as an official stat until 1982.) … Albert Breer explains why [the Niners ended up holding on to Jimmy Garoppolo](https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/08/31/jimmy-garoppolo-deal-explained-mailbag). [the Trojans went out and signed up for the Big Ten (in 2024)](https://www.si.com/college/2022/07/01/usc-ucla-move-big-ten-how-it-happened-college-sports). and Ross Dellenger think [the Trojans could be Playoff-bound in Riley’s first season](https://www.si.com/college/2022/08/31/ncaa-football-predictions-playoff-heisman-alabama) in charge. … A 16-year-old golfer in Wisconsin [made two holes-in-one in a span of 20 minutes](https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/08/31/16-year-old-golfer-two-holes-in-one-20-minutes). … Avi Creditor breaks down USMNT striker [Ricardo Pepi’s loan move to the Netherlands](https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/08/31/ricardo-pepi-gronigen-loan-augsburg-usmnt-world-cup). [we’re keeping track of all the big moves here](https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/09/01/transfer-deadline-day-summer-2022-news-rumors-signings-loans). Orr isn’t buying Jon Gruden’s [plea for another chance in the NFL](https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/08/31/jon-gruden-apology-coaching-nfl). When you’re paying Riley [a reported $110 million](https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/03/10/usc-lincoln-riley-los-angeles-home-viral-coach), you’re paying for national-championship contention.

When: Thurs., Sept. 1. Time: 8 p.m. Eastern. TV: Fox. Streaming: fuboTV. What you need to know. Penn State: Important pieces on one of college football's ...

[Bookmark](https://si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq) Penn State odds, spread, line: Week 1 college football picks, prediction](https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/penn-state-purdue-picks-prediction-college-football-week-1) Purdue football preview, prediction](https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/penn-state-purdue-football-preview-prediction-week-1-game) [Purdue vs.

In escaping what would have been a colossal setback to start the season against Purdue, Penn State stayed on course to compete for a major bowl.

[USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/coaches-poll/) and step into the driver's seat in the Big Ten West. As always, there's a chance that losing by a touchdown to Pittsburgh means the Mountaineers might be pretty good, though we won't know for a few weeks. Beating the Nittany Lions would've made that a lot easier, though. No longer flying under the radar, senior quarterback Hendon Hooker completed 18 of 25 attempts for 222 yards and two scores before being replaced in the second half. Kedon Slovis won the battle of former Southern California quarterbacks, throwing for 308 yards and a touchdown while West Virginia's JT Daniels went for 214 yards on 5.5 yards per attempt with an interception. 16 Pittsburgh and West Virginia went back and forth — the game was tied at 10-10, 17-17, 24-24 and 31-31 — until the Panthers' 56-yard interception return with under three minutes left

The evening's headlining contest between No. 17 Pittsburgh and West Virginia lived up to its billing, as the Panthers escaped with a 38-31 win in a thrilling ...

[Recap](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20220901_LATECH@MIZZOU/) [Recap](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20220901_ALAM@UAB/) [Recap](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20220901_VMI@WAKE/) [Recap](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20220901_BALLST@TENN/) [Recap](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20220901_CMICH@OKLAST/) Week 1 of the college football season began with a bang on Thursday night, courtesy of 16 games that provided a great appetizer for what's in store over the rest of the weekend.

There are no cupcake games in Week 1 for the Nittany Lions and Boilermakers.

It didn't work, so he'll have to live with the consequences, but I didn't hate the decision, even if I didn't entirely agree. Clifford stayed in and finished the half, throwing the 67-yard touchdown to Strange, but he did not take the field for Penn State's opening possession of the second half. He came out of the locker room with the team but was seen returning to it when Purdue opened the half with the ball. The Boilermakers had two more possessions and chances to burn the clock, but ran 11 plays for 26 yards and, more importantly, only 3:43 off the clock. He finished with 12 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown. but in the end you have to win the game and that's what we did." The Boilermakers called 13 passing plays to only one rush (two were called back on penalties), and the incompletions allowed Penn State to conserve timeouts. It looked as though Penn State would take control of the game early, as Clifford found Brenton Strange for a 67-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left before halftime to give the Nittany Lions a 21-10 lead. Wins are wins, and Penn State won't give them back, but I wouldn't get too excited. Penn State took the lead back early in the fourth quarter when Clifford found KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 29-yard touchdown pass, but the game was far from over. Clifford was banged up nearly the entire 2021 season, and it feels like he's been dealing with some kind of injury his entire career. Clifford sailed a pass well over target Mitchell Tinsley's head and into the eager arms of Purdue's Chris Jefferson.

In 1937, University of Pittsburgh football players voted not to play in the Rose Bowl after administrators refused to meet their demands.

This makes it difficult to create a stable model — one that serves all stakeholders well and allows the game to flourish. While the NCAA’s amateur model claims to advocate for and prioritize student-athletes, it often ignores their opinions and only implements wholesale change on their behalf when Even their champions — both in the media and the general public — cared little about the players’ own reasoning or thoughts. In a letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Samuel Karas, who identified himself as “not a college man,” agreed, musing that the players simply wanted fair compensation for their labor. The end of his tenure marked the end of Pitt football’s glory years. The press narrative that the players were overworked and underpaid resonated with an increasingly pro-labor Pittsburgh community. In this environment, Pittsburghers embraced the “strike” narrative and sympathized with the players as fellow exploited workers rather than student-athletes. Instead, the day after the bombshell news broke, team captain John Michelosen claimed that for many “personal” reasons, the team, especially the upperclassmen who had already played in two Rose Bowls, preferred a two-week Christmas break over practice and travel. The “sit-down” strike narrative spread not only because of college football’s popularity, but also because, in 1937, work stoppages occurred regularly. Pitt’s 31-member “traveling squad” reportedly presented three demands: $100-$200 for each player, assurances that the entire team of 60 would travel to the Rose Bowl and an immediate two-week vacation to compensate for their lost Christmas holiday. Most notably, it required the players to secure work-study jobs (often janitorial work) to earn their $48 monthly stipends for room and board on top of playing and practicing. The case also exposes how, unless college football’s stakeholders listen more to players, and potentially involve them in key decisions, the problems confronting the game will persist.

That said, the Friday night slate is a relative lull in the action after three top-25 teams played on Thursday, including the "College GameDay" matchup between ...

Western Michigan at No. 15 Michigan State 6 Michigan and No. Michigan State is the only ranked team to play on Friday, and it will face a Western Michigan team that went 8-5 out of the MAC in 2021. That record included wins over New Year's Day 6 teams in No. 17 Pitt and West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.

10 best predictions for the first big weekend of the college football season. Best bets and picks for Week 1's Saturday games.

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We love college football, and we love gambling. Here's our staff's favorite plays on the board this week.

[LSU](https://www.andthevalleyshook.com) [Ohio State](https://www.landgrantholyland.com) [Oregon State](https://www.buildingthedam.com) [ccpg.org/chat](http://ccpg.org/chat) (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit [OPGR.org](http://opgr.org/) (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (ONT), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). [Virginia Tech](https://www.gobblercountry.com/) in 2014. The Bearcats are going to take a huge step back without Desmond Ridder and Alec Pierce leading the way and I think Arkansas covers easily in Week 1. Much respect to ya, Shawn, but the Gamecocks roll in this one under the lights at Williams Brice. Billy Napier is ready to hit the ground running (literally) in the Swamp, and Utah QB Cameron Rising should be ready to surpass his 20-touchdown 2021 season. LSU is prone to upsets early in the season, including last year’s shocker to Both teams are almost identical in returning production heading into the season and while the Beavers have a second-year starter in Chance Nolan back under center, the Broncos will have Hank Backmeier back for his fourth season as the starter for Boise. And the Bulls should be better offensively, but there’s not a lot of upgrade in the defense. Temple and Duke facing each other to open the season on a Friday night is a real Sickos Game for Week 1.

Sooners head coach Brent Venables will make his debut on Saturday afternoon when Oklahoma hosts UTEP during part of the Week 1 college football schedule. The ...

[Louisville](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/LVILLE/louisville-cardinals/) (-4.5) covers on the road against [Syracuse](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/CUSE/syracuse-orange/) at 8 p.m. 7 [Utah](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/UTAH/utah-utes/) at 7 p.m. [Florida](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/FLA/florida-gators/) (+3) covers at home against No. [college football picks](https://www.sportsline.com/college-football/picks/) against the spread. [college football odds](https://www.sportsline.com/college-football/odds/) from Caesars and locked in picks for every FBS matchup. [Louisiana](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/UL/louisiana-ragin-cajuns/), while Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is 2-1 since 2010 in season-opening matchups against Power Five opponents. Check out the latest college football odds below, then Quarterback [Malik Cunningham](/college-football/players/2866334/malik-cunningham/) is back after leading the ACC in rushing touchdowns (20), becoming the second quarterback in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards. He put on a show against the Orange last season, accounting for five total touchdowns in the first half of the lopsided win. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. The Sooners opened as 37-point favorites, but they are now -30 in the latest Week 1 college football odds at Caesars Sportsbook. Before locking in any Week 1 college football picks for those games or others, be sure to

Straight from the TV segment "SVP Winners", Scott Van Pelt breaks down his picks for Week 1 of college football season.

19 [Arkansas](/college-football/team/_/id/8/arkansas-razorbacks) (-6.5, 53.5) Never been there, but my heart will be with the Mean Green, who are already 1-0 on the year. I expect them to trade scores with SMU and stay within 11.5 points. The Orange lost the last two to the Cards by a combined 71-3. This game is legitimately fascinating -- The Utes are a top-10 team, they are rugged, and they are not afraid. We're UTSA plus in this one. I don't know, Coach Pittman, let's mix them together and take the points with Cincinnati against Arkansas, but buy it up a half-point to 7. [Cincinnati](https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2132/cincinnati-bearcatshttps://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2132/cincinnati-bearcats) at No. What better way to get your first CFB Saturday started then yelling NO QUARTER at the top of your lungs. We have to start to climb the mountain all over again, so with that in mind, how'd you like to climb the mountain in Boulder with me and take a team that was 4-8 last year, awful on offense and catching a bunch of points at home. [TC](/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs) [U](/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs) (-13.5, 46) at [Colorado](/college-football/team/_/id/38/colorado-buffaloes) And if you don't catch it on TV, well, we are here to give them to you on ESPN.com every Friday morning.

These are some of the best storylines in week 1 of the 2022 college football season, beginning with the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pittsburgh.

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Which Week 1 games will have the biggest postseason impact? We break it down using the Allstate Playoff Predictor.

[Iowa](/college-football/team/_/id/2294/iowa-hawkeyes). Meanwhile, the conference's second-most likely playoff team -- [Oregon](/college-football/team?_slug_=oregon-ducks&id=2483) -- has a brutal opening matchup against Georgia that FPI estimates Oregon has just a 9% chance of winning. What about a 12-0 [Oklahoma](/college-football/team/_/id/201/oklahoma-sooners) team that loses in the Big 12 Championship Game? Does a two-loss SEC champion [Georgia](/college-football/team/_/id/61/georgia-bulldogs) get into the playoff? The Buckeyes playoff leverage swings 24 percentage points -- as opposed to 31 for Notre Dame -- with a win vs. And there is no scheduled game in which a team faces higher total playoff leverage -- the difference between its chance to reach the playoff with a win and a loss -- than Notre Dame's Week 1 contest.

The first complete slate of the 2022 college football season is underway, and the six members of B/R's expert panel—Max Escarpio, David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, ...

The Napier era is going to be fine, but this is a tall draw to begin. With that being said, this is my pick to win the national championship. The reality for this one is pretty simple: Ohio State, at least on paper, should be better in pretty much every area. Regardless, this is going to be a close game that is fun to watch. At first glance, it may look like a hard decision, but Ohio State is way too skilled to start the season 0-1. Stroud under center, throwing to some of the best receivers in the nation, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Arkansas is ready for high-level competition, and it cannot start the season with a loss at home. The only other option would be Brian Kelly, who is going to coach against a brand-name program in Florida State but should win a virtual home game in New Orleans. Houston traveling to UTSA is a solid choice, yet I have UH representing the Group of Five conferences in a New Year's Six bowl. This is going to be a much closer game than many realize, even if I think UGA will win. This is the first opportunity for him to do that. Based on the offensive philosophy of both teams, Louisiana's trip to Texas is appealing.

College Football Picks: Week 1 · FSU starts 1-0 -- can the Seminoles beat LSU in New Orleans?

- No. No. 2 [Ohio State](https://www.landgrantholyland.com)(7:30pm ET, ABC) Clemson expects better from their quarterback and DJ absolutely needs to take a step forward — if not multiple steps — if he wants to keep the job. I think Ohio State might be the best team in the country, but I expect Notre Dame to be competitive enough to cover even if it’s a late gross score to get across the point line. The Bearcats were the surprise of the 2021 season earning their spot in the College Football Playoff where they were unceremoniously kicked to the curb by Alabama. 19 Arkansas (3:30pm ET, ESPN) ANYWELL, NC State has been a sneaky strong second-tier program in the ACC and looks poised to take a step up this year with a top-tier team. Plenty of big games (including that one in the Caesar’s Superdome on Sunday Night) so let’s get to it. The longtime TCU head man is gone and that’s enough to make me take some points in the Horned Frogs first game on the road with a new head coach. The following week, I’ll tally up the wins and losses and give a salute to whoever dominates the weekend. The big headliner was the Ireland game that allowed us to open the year celebrating Scott Frost’s inability to win any game that is close after 0-0.

The Sporting News Underdog Challenge is back for Year 2, my friends, and we are going to find the upsets before they happen like never before.

It’s a messy opener at The Swamp for the Utes. The Illini have a game under their belts, and Tommy DeVito looked comfortable in the quarterback spot. In this circumstance, though, we do know that Colorado is playing at home and that just short of two TDs is a heck of a lot of points to surrender to a home team. Illinois is capable of grinding out a road victory here, though it's worth noting that the Hoosiers have won the past three meetings. You know that old joke about wanting to be a head coach in the worst way? This is the first of two of my underdogs who have a game under their belt thanks to a Week 0 matchup. We’re all starting from 0 here, and pursuit of a two-touchdown lead in the Underdog Challenge is irresistible. But I don’t consider this to be a gamble on the order of kicking onside with an 11-point lead. The expectation is for Beliema, who achieved varying levels of success at Wisconsin and Arkansas, to have more of the same at Illinois. It’s true the Chanticleers have had all offseason to prepare for the Black Knights’ triple-option attack, certainly preferable to playing them in the middle of the season. Karl Dorrell is coming off a 4-8 campaign in his second season in Boulder and obviously is looking to kick off Year 3 with a win. Either way we’re set to have some fun and possibly make money for some of our readers out there on the money line.

Week1 of the college football season kicks off with some glamour games. A look at the five best ones and why you should be watching.

No. 22 Cincinnati at No. On the other hand, Tune can be pick prone at times, so a turnover cascade isn’t out of the question. Why it could disappoint: Unfortunately for Cincinnati, it is the personnel turnover on defense, losing the likes of CBs Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant, that will be harder to overcome. Why it could disappoint: Despite losing do-everything LB Devin Lloyd to the NFL, the Utah defense, with a veteran secondary led by SS Cole Bishop and CB Clark Phillips, should still be ahead of the Gators at this early juncture. The defending conference champion Utes are also looking to follow up last year’s monster season with something even bigger, but the Gators, a program accustomed to competing for titles, will try to kick off the Billy Napier era in Gainesville with a top-10 victory. 5 Notre Dame at No. Perhaps, but QB Stetson Bennett, now finally the undisputed leader of the Bulldogs' offense, and standout TE Brock Bowers, last year’s breakout star as a freshman, figure to have a good idea what to expect from the defense of the Ducks. Why it could disappoint: The Buckeyes defense wasn’t exactly a weakness a year ago. The Ohio State offense might be all but unstoppable this year with all-star talent at every ball-handling position, from QB C.J. The Buckeyes, favored by numerous prognosticators to reclaim the Big Ten crown they lost to archrival Michigan in 2021, look to ET, ABC), and the weekend wraps up Labor Day night as No.

Here's the complete list of all the top 25 games this weekend, including TV information, scores, stats and the complete AP Poll for week 1.

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Week 1 of the college football schedule kicked off on Thursday with one historic rivalry renewed and a major early season Big Ten matchup.

[Bookmark](https://si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq) 2 Fri., Sept.

Friday night's college football schedule features eight intriguing Week 1 matchups to kickoff the 2022 season.

23 Cincinnati at No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 15 Michigan State — 7 p.m. - Western Michigan at No. West Virginia at No. No.

Previewing the biggest games in Week 1 of the 2022 college football season, including Notre Dame at Ohio State.

Tuimoloau](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) and [Jack Sawyer](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) were top-five recruits in 2021 and should split time at the other edge defender spot. [Tyler Buchner](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) and are thin at wide receiver, but they’ll field the nation’s [second-best offensive line](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-2022). [Zach Harrison](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) boasts a 90.5 pass-rush grade since 2020, first among returning Power Five edge defenders. 24 running back](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-rankings-top-25-running-backs-2022), [No. 4 running back](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-rankings-top-25-running-backs-2022), [No. [Anthony Richardson](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) is the polar opposite. [Tavion Thomas](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) returns after leading the Power Five with 20 rushing touchdowns last season. [Brandon Dorlus](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) and [Popo Aumavae](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine), two of [PFF’s top-15 interior defensive linemen](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-rankings-top-25-interior-defensive-linemen-2022) in the country. [Xavier Truss](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) and [Tate Ratledge](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine) are the likely starters but combined for fewer than 200 snaps last year. They’re both top-15 players at their respective positions in our [preseason rankings.](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2022-preseason-rankings-top-25-players-at-every-position) They’ll both need to show up in a big way to slow down Utah’s run game. As a true freshman, [Raheim Sanders](https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-2022) converted 34.2% of his carries for a first down or touchdown, the ninth-highest rate among Power Five running backs. They’ll also help create rushing lanes for [Noah Sewell](https://www.pff.com/college/preview-magazine), who’s arguably the best blitzing linebacker in the country.

A closer look at the top Friday games in Week 1 of the 2022 college football season.

[Old Dominion](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/ODU/old-dominion-monarchs/) [+196BET NOW ] [+6-110BET NOW ] [o48-110BET NOW ] [-240BET NOW ] [-6-110BET NOW ] [u48-110BET NOW ] [Illinois](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/ILL/illinois-fighting-illini/) and [Indiana](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/IND/indiana-hoosiers/) will be squaring off in conference play. Colorado lost seven games by two touchdowns or more in 2021, and it probably doesn't have any answers for what should by a dynamic passing game headlined by potential first-round receiver [Quentin Johnston](/college-football/players/3162609/quentin-johnston/). Night owls can enjoy coverage that will extend past midnight with [TCU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/TCU/tcu-horned-frogs/) and [Colorado](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/COLO/colorado-buffaloes/) playing into the early hours of Saturday morning. Further, Illinois played on Saturday last week and had to prepare a game plan for [Wyoming](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/WYO/wyoming-cowboys/) before turning around on a short week to play a road game against the Hoosiers. Pick: Over 54.5 -- Tom Fornelli [Virginia Tech](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/VATECH/virginia-tech-hokies/) vs. Meanwhile, Indiana has been able to prepare for Illinois the whole offseason and now has game film it can dissect. This means Illinois has not been able to prepare for this game with any certainty of what it will see. Considering the Monarchs lost by just 14 on the road against the Hokies in 2019 during a 1-11 season, they seem like a safe bet to keep this one close at home until the end now that the program is much more solid footing. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/collegefootball/?irad=399332&irmp=416484&sharedID=HTW) (Try for free) -- Michigan State was an entertaining team to watch last season because it had an explosive offense with a tremendous playmaker in Kenneth Walker, and it combined it with a secondary that couldn't cover anybody. While the second of five straight days of college football is light on ranked teams -- only No. Action for Week 1 of the 2022 college football season continues Friday evening with eight more games to whet your appetite before the full slate of Saturday's contests gets underway.

Don't expect the Rams to give the Wolverines much of a game, but do pay attention to just how QB Cade McNamara fares in this game. He may be last year's starter ...

The mystery box of the weekend will be opened in the SuperDome on Sunday night. Perhaps there is no worse type of opponent for Billy Napier to begin his tenure than a scrappy Utah team that plans to drag the Gators into a bar-room brawl for 60 minutes of physical football. Arkansas has been competent and fun under coach Sam Pittman and is one of the few teams that actually returns a head coach and both coordinators for three seasons in a row. Cincinnati had its roster raided by the NFL, which is both a good and bad thing, particularly when you consider it’s up against an SEC team on the road. The three-headed monster of Arik Gilbert, Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers pose a matchup nightmare for the Ducks (and just about everyone else in college football). But Houston has high aspirations this season and, even without running back Alton McCaskill, who was injured in the spring, this offense should light up scoreboards. App State has been a legit top-40 team every year under Clark with a solid defense year in, year out over much of the last decade. Beware a team from the Carolinas going to Greenville (ask South Carolina, which barely survived such an opener last season). The champs are back, and they’re playing not too far from home in what can barely be regarded as a neutral site game in actuality. But if the spread on this game is any indication, UNC should have its hands full with App State on the road. Despite the sport’s best attempts to distract us with a summer of talk about transfer portal, realignment, NIL and governance we have made it to the college football season. It can be difficult at times to remember why we love the sport, but a fun Thursday night to whet the palate should have quickly jogged the memory.

Week 1 of the 2022 NCAA college football treated bettors to several games that came right down to the wire.

[Alabama](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/alabama-crimson-tide) (+190), No. [Heisman](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/07/07/2022-heisman-trophy-odds-cj-stroud-favorite) 2 [Ohio State](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes) (+300) and No. [Pac-12](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/08/03/2022-23-pac-12-football-championship-futures-odds) [ACC](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/07/27/2022-23-acc-college-football-futures-odds-breakdown) The [Mississippi State](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/mississippi-state-bulldogs) transfer was solid for the Orange, throwing for 1,445 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 781 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. [Notre Dame](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/08/10/2022-23-notre-dame-college-football-future-odds) Quarterback [Davis Brin](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/player/davis-brin), who threw for 3,254 yards with 18 touchdowns, is back for his senior season. [Big 12](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/07/13/2022-23-big-12-college-football-future-odds-oklahoma-favorite) 1 Pick](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/07/08/2023-nfl-draft-first-pick-odds-bryce-young-cj-stroud) [Big Ten](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/07/06/2022-23-big-ten-football-championship-odds-ohio-state-heavy-favorite) [SEC](https://www.si.com/betting/2022/06/29/sec-football-championship-odds-2022-alabama-georgia)

Kickoff is at noon ET. The Mountaineers are favored by 1.5 points in the latest Appalachian State vs. North Carolina odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the ...

- Appalachian State vs. The model has simulated Appalachian State vs. [Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the North Carolina vs. The model is leaning Over, and it also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. The Tar Heels were able to spread the ball around, with 10 different receivers catching passes against the Rattlers. You can head to SportsLine to [see its picks.](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/appalachian-state-vs-north-carolina-odds-line-spread-proven-model-reveals-college-football-picks-predictions/#ttag=08302022_agg_cbssports_picks_football_ncaa_model_NorthCarolinaAppalachianStatecfbauto) Here are several [college football odds](https://www.sportsline.com/ncaaf/odds) for UNC vs. The Tar Heels were able to get their offense going against Florida A&M, giving them some momentum heading into Saturday's game. The Mountaineers are favored by 1.5 points in the latest Appalachian State vs. UNC](https://www.sportsline.com/college-football/game-forecast/NCAAF_20220903_UNC@APLST/). Before entering any North Carolina vs. North Carolina odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 56. They replaced record-setting quarterback Sam Howell with redshirt freshman [Drake Maye](/college-football/players/26695757/drake-maye/), who threw five touchdown passes last week.

Last week we saw Nebraska and Northwestern get their seasons underway in Ireland while a handful of other teams got their 2022 campaigns going.

3 [Georgia](http://ugawire.com) taking on No. 2 [Ohio State](http://buckeyeswire.com) and No. [Notre Dame](http://fightingirishwire.com) traveling to No.

The College Football Playoff's board of managers voted Friday to expand the CFP to 12 teams in 2026, but it is encouraging the sport's commissioners to try ...

"CFP expansion will provide increased access and excitement and is the right thing for our student-athletes and fans. Two weeks ago, the CFP board held an unannounced call, discussing expansion and the possibility of a 12-team playoff starting amid the structure of the current contract. I'm grateful to my colleagues on the board for their thoughtful approach to this issue and for their resolve to get expansion across the goal line and for the extensive work of the Management Committee that made this decision possible."

The 12 teams will be the six conference champions ranked highest by the selection committee (no minimum ranking requirement), plus the six highest-ranked teams ...

Peach Bowl — No. Fiesta Bowl — No. Cotton Bowl — No. Orange Bowl — No. Sugar Bowl — No. CFP National Championship — No. 1 Alabama 27, No. Rose Bowl — No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 1 Alabama 31, No. 1 Alabama 45, No. 1 Alabama 24, No.

The College Football Playoff is growing. The current-four team system will expand to 12 teams after unanimous approval from the Board of Managers.

Initially determined by media and coaches poll, the Bowl Championship Series was created in 1998 to match the top two teams in one game after the regular season. The current four-team format started in 2014 after decades of discontent between coaches and fans about how the national champion is decided in football. The 12-year contract the playoff system has with ESPN doesn't expire until after the 2025 season. I’m grateful to my colleagues on the board for their thoughtful approach to this issue and for their resolve to get expansion across the goal line and for the extensive work of the Management Committee that made this decision possible.” The expanded format will include the six highest ranked conference champions with the remaining spots in the field to be made up of at-large selections. The championship game will continue to be played at a rotating site.

The change could take effect as soon as the 2024 season. It is expected no later than 2026.

[reached the richest-ever television agreement](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/sports/ncaafootball/big-ten-deal-tv.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-college-sports&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc)for a college athletic league, selling the rights to its competitions to Fox, NBC and CBS. The rest of the participants will play their opening games on campuses or at “other sites” chosen by the teams with higher seeds. The four-team playoff system debuted with the 2014 season and offered football devotees a new way to become baffled and infuriated by rankings. manages the postseason for Football Championship Subdivision universities, which often have loyal local followings but little national renown, it has no control over the playoff that draws powerhouse brands such as Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma.) That’s partly because [race was never baked into the law](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/sports/title-ix-race.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-college-sports&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc). Had the model approved on Friday been in place last year, the field would have included all of those teams, as well as Baylor, Michigan State, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh and Utah. champion, would have been the lowest-ranked team. As television money is increasingly raining down on leagues such as the Big Ten Conference, which last month announced a With an expanded playoff now planned for 2026 at the latest, some executives and consultants believe that the next deal, which might include an array of broadcast partners, could yield nearly $2 billion in annual television revenue. If those forecasts prove accurate, the playoff would have the largest annual television rights deal in college sports. Whether or not the redesigned format starts that soon, Friday’s decision set the playoff on a clearer course toward the biggest television contract in college sports history, one that analysts have said could fetch close to $2 billion a year. The playoff will still rely on its own selection committee to set its rankings, and there will still be no guaranteed bids or caps on invitations for any conferences.

The CFP Management Committee must now act on the expanded format, which could be instituted as soon as 2024.

By not enacting expansion prior to the 2026 season, the CFP would be leaving significant money on the table. The Big Ten recently signed a $1.2 billion annual deal with CBS, Fox and NBC to air its games. CFP executive director Bill Hancock previously stated that the playoff would not expand before the end of its current contract, which is set to expire in 2025. The Big Ten swiping USC and UCLA from the Pac-12 this past offseason, a continuation of this round of realignment, brought a clear end to that short-lived alliance. First came an alliance between the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 with the conferences agreeing to vote as a block on key issues. I'm grateful to my colleagues on the board for their thoughtful approach to this issue and for their resolve to get expansion across the goal line and for the extensive work of the Management Committee that made this decision possible."