Big E is back! Today, I am here to preview the upcoming college football season. I am also inquiring about possibly landing a NIL deal, so if you, or someone you know, is looking for a talented 22-year-old, I’m your man.
It’s been a minute since I’ve written about college football. A lot has happened, including three reasons why the sport is changing forever. We’re inching closer to the start of a new season, with Week 0 beginning soon. So, with that said, here’s my 2022 College Football season preview.
Teams that Big E Thinks Are Better than People Think
Preseason Top 25 rankings don’t mean much. We haven’t seen these teams play since January. How are we supposed to know if they’re good? However, people are underestimating teams in my eyes, and let me explain why.
- Appalachian State Mountaineers (Sun Belt, 2021 Record: 10-4)
- Yes, the Mountaineers are coming off a disappointing finish to the 2021 season. Losing the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl snapped App State’s six-game bowl winning streak. Under head coach Shawn Clark, this team has talent all over the roster and should be in contention for another Sun Belt Championship.
- Washington State Cougars (Pac-12, 2021 Record: 7-6)
- Head coach Jake Dickert is entering his first full season as Cougars head coach after taking over for Nick Rolovich last October. After crushing Washington at Husky Stadium in last year’s Apple Cup, Dickert earned the full-time job in Pullman. Although their schedule isn’t easy, I can see them winning seven to eight games again this season.
- LSU Tigers (SEC, 2021 Record: 6-7)
- In the SEC Media Poll, LSU was ranked 5th in the SEC West. Yes, they are installing a new culture with Brian Kelly, which will take time to establish. However, under Kelly and with a light schedule, there’s no reason why they can’t be playing in a bowl game in December. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers are a team we’re talking about positively after the season ends.
- Army Black Knights (Independent, 2021 Record: 9-4)
- The Army is set up for success once again this season. Four of their five offensive linemen are juniors or older. Every starter on defense is junior or senior, except for Max DiDomenico at Free Safety. Yet, the biggest question with this team is who the starting quarterback will be. Finding the right quarterback could be the difference in two or three wins for the Black Knights, which is critical for the future of this team. Keep an eye on Tyhier Tyler and Cade Ballard to both be named the starter at some point.
Players to Watch This Season
What makes college football are the players who play the game. There wouldn’t be any games without them. So, with that said, are how some players that I think you should watch this upcoming season.
- Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas, JR)
- Many people agree that Robinson is the best running back in college football. He’s a big body back (6’0, 220 pounds) that can do everything. He can run it through guys, he can run a wheel route, and he can pass block (although, he does need to work on that). This guy has the ceiling of Leonard Fournette or Reggie Bush at the college level, and it’ll be exciting to see what the upcoming season has in store for him.
- Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame, JR)
- Along with Brock Bowers at Georgia, Mayer is one of the best tight ends in the country. He is coming from a Notre Dame system that has had a tight end drafted into the NFL four of the last five years. All in all, Mayer is going to be the next Notre Dame tight end drafted as he looks to be a positive influence for sophomore starter Tyler Buchner.
- Bumper Pool (LB, Arkansas, SR)
- Sure, his name is great. But that’s not why you should know Bumper Pool. Pool is a talented linebacker from Arkansas who’s had at least 90 total tackles in the last three seasons. While he is a bit smaller than some NFL teams would like from a linebacker (6’2, 232 pounds), he is one of the most productive players in college football. This is a prove-it year for Pool as looks to finish his college career strong at Arkansas.
- Andrew Richardson (QB, Florida, SO)
- Richardson is not getting the same talk that other players at his position are. However, there is a lot to like about the kid. He has a big frame (6’4, 230 pounds). He’s got a strong arm. He is FAST, like really fast. He’s also not afraid to put his head down and get extra yards. Richardson needs to work on quarterback fundamentals like picking up blitzes and progressing through options. But, as an athlete and prospect, he could be one of the very in college football this season.
- Emil Ekyior Jr (OL, Alabama, SR)
- Emil Ekyior is a fascinating player. As Alabama’s starting right guard for the last two seasons, he’s only given up three sacks. At 6’3, 322-pounds, he is capable of being a starting NFL lineman. Yet, his technique and mobility still leave scouts with concerns about his potential at the next level. However, I believe with one more year of college coaching and if the right team drafts him, he could develop into a useful player. We’ll see how this season treats him in Tuscaloosa.
Early-Season Games that Big E is Looking Forward To
Some games are going to look better or worst as the season progresses. However, there are a few matchups that I want to highlight before the teams’ kick-off. Let’s start with a huge Week 1 matchup in Columbus.
- Week 1: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Ohio State Buckeyes (September 3rd/Time: 7:30 PM ET)
- We love an important Week 1 primetime game. Both of these teams are coming off New Year’s Six bowl games and are looking to make the playoffs again this season.
- First-year head coach Marcus Freeman leads the Irish this season, who replaces Brian Kelly after signing with LSU. Some will say this is a rebuilding year for Notre Dame, but don’t be shocked if they win 10 games and finish in the top 25.
- Last season, Ohio State lost to Michigan for the first time since 2011 and missed the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2016. So, it’s a revenge season of sorts for the Buckeyes, as they look to win their first national championship since 2014.
- Week 2: Alabama Crimson Tide @ Texas Longhorns (September 10/Time: Noon ET)
- It’s the first time these teams will meet since the 2010 BCS National Championship Game (before Colt McCoy started beating my NFL team)
- It’s also the first actual out-of-conference road game for Alabama since 2011. With two potential top-five draft picks in Bryce Young and Will Anderson, the Crimson Tide will be a tough matchup for anyone in 2022.
- Texas is back (playing football again, no idea if they’ll be good)! The most underrated player in college football is Bijan Robinson, a running back for the Longhorns. He ran for over 1,000 yards last season and could put up close to 2,000 yards this season. Keep your eye on Robinson as he’s a player you’ll want to remember.
- Week 3: Michigan State Spartans @ Washington Huskies (September 17/Time: 7:30 PM ET)
- This game has an old-school Big Ten-Pac 10 feel to it (at least, until the two conferences merge into a super conference)
- Mel Tucker and the Spartans are coming off an impressive 11-win season last year, but have a challenging year ahead. Fortunately, they get Ohio State and Wisconsin at home this season, though they still have to make trips to Seattle, Ann Arbor, and Penn State. Being the best team in Michigan is the goal for Michigan State this year and they may do that.
- I’m not sure what the ceiling is for Washington in 2022. Kalen DeBoer is entering his first season as the Huskies’ head coach and has a fairly easy schedule for the most part. This game against the Spartans is a good measuring stick game to see their talent. If Washington wins this game, I like their chances of being the best team in the Pac-12 North.
- Week 4: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers @ Georgia State Panthers (September 22/Time: 7:30 PM ET)
- Just an FYI, I am a sicko for Thursday night Sun Belt football. In the preseason poll, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State are ranked two and three in the Sun Belt East Division.
- Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall is the name to know for this game. He was the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and is going for over 3,000 total yards for the third straight season. There are plenty of reasons to get excited for the Chanticleers, and McCall is the biggest one.
- Georgia State is coming off its second-straight bowl win and looking to make four straight bowl games. Their schedule includes games against South Carolina and North Carolina, as well as a trip to Army. Can the Panthers pull off the upset and become Sun Belt contenders? That question will be answered on September 25th.
- Week 4: Arkansas Razorbacks @ Texas A&M Aggies (September 24/Time: TBD)
- This is arguably the most intriguing Arkansas/Texas A&M game in years. The Aggies have won nine of the last ten matchups, but the Razorbacks pulled off the upset and won 20-10 last season. So, with that said, what will the 2022 game look like?
- Arkansas was the most surprising team in college football last season, thanks to head coach Sam Pittman. He led the Razorbacks to nine wins in 2021, the most in a season since 2011. If Arkansas can compete with the big boys, like Texas A&M, Pittman will be the one to lead the charge.
- The Aggies are projected to finish second in the SEC West, behind Alabama. However, any chances of winning the conference would evaporate if they lost to Arkansas. Jimbo Fisher is going for his first 10-win season at Texas A&M and they need to make that happen. All though, there’s a bigger game for their ego that I’ll discuss shortly.
- Week 5: Eastern Washington Eagles @ Florida Gators (October 1/Time: Noon ET)
- This is a makeup date as the original game was supposed to take place in 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19.
- In all likelihood, Florida crushes Eastern Washington and sends their fans home happy.
- However, I would love to see Eastern Washington make the trip cross-country and win their first game against an SEC opponent. That would be awesome/cool, so I’m rooting for that outcome.
- Week 6: Washington State Cougars @ USC Trojans (October 8/Time: TBD)
- The Pac-12 is going to be better than people think this season. There should be 6-8 competitive teams this year, including Wazzu and USC.
- Wazzu’s newest transfer, Cameron Ward (unrelated to the goalie), will quarterback the offense. Last season, with Incarnate Word of the FCS, Ward threw for 4,648 yards, 47 touchdowns, and completed 65% of his passes. With his former head coach Eric Morris as Wazzu’s OC, Ward looks to add his name to the list of recent standout quarterbacks for Washington State.
- There’s a lot I could say about USC. With new head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams, this season is the Trojans’ best chance to make the CFP so far. This game against the Cougars is one they should win, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s a shootout. It should be an exciting game all around.
- Week 6: Texas A&M Aggies @ Alabama Crimson Tide (October 8/Time: TBD)
- I spoke about both teams earlier, but this game has plenty of meaning for each coach.
- Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher settled their beef, but that was after the two exchanged comments about one another at SEC Media Days.
- Indeed, this has “game of the year” potential written all over it, and the Saban-Fisher conflict only adds to the drama.
Are You Ready for Some College Football?
This is going to be a great season of college football. Lots of action, tons of talent, and important games happening every weekend. Like you, I can’t wait for the season to start and to see how it all shakes out!