The 2021 faculty soccer season ended with Georgia’s 33:18 win over Alabama within the CFP championship recreation at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
So who is prepared for 2022?
A take a look at the very best September non-conference matches for 2022 ought to add to that low season hype. Sporting Information continues its custom of choosing the highest 10 video games within the first month. In that regard, 2021 did not disappoint.
The subject for subsequent 12 months? New trainers. A complete of six faculties on this checklist have a brand new coach who will attempt to make a robust first impression. These embody Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame, Brian Kelly from LSU and Mario Cristobal from Miami.
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September provides these alternatives. This checklist contains home-and-home sequence and blockbusters on impartial web sites. With that in thoughts, we will not wait to see the ten finest September video games:
Finest non-conference matches in September 2021
1.Notre Dame, Ohio (September 3)
Former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman will practice at his alma mater in his first common season recreation in Notre Dame. This can be a assured high 10, perhaps high 5 matchup between two high notch applications. Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud will probably be among the many front-runners within the Heisman Trophy, however Notre Dame brings again sufficient offensive expertise that this needs to be attention-grabbing. The Buckeyes have received the final 4 video games, and that is the primary house and residential sequence since 1994-95. It is definitely worth the wait.
2. Oregon vs. Georgia (September 3) in Atlanta
Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning left to take the job in Oregon and his first recreation is in opposition to the Bulldogs on the Chick-fil-A-Kickoff recreation. Lanning has additionally put collectively a big teaching employees. That is the most important non-conference recreation for the Pac-12, and it is also a digital house recreation for Georgia.
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3. Alabama, Texas (September 10)
This can be a enormous week two matchup. The faculties haven’t met because the 2010 BCS championship recreation; Nick Saban received his first nationwide title in Alabama. What’s going to Texas be like if five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers is the starter? Bijan Robinsion is again too. Can former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian maintain it shut? Alabama will probably be no 1 on most polls this preseason. Flag this matchup for prime time.
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4. Florida State vs. LSU (September 4) in New Orleans
Each groups had information to lose in 2021 so the stress to get a win right here will probably be immense. Brian Kelly will make his LSU debut in New Orleans, and the Tigers ought to have sufficient expertise to get into the highest 15 to start out the season. Florida State have improved underneath Mike Norvell however they’re 0-6 for the final two seasons in September.
5. Penn State at Auburn (September seventeenth)
There have been some questionable calls to the Huge Ten SEC match at Beaver Stadium final 12 months, which Penn State received 28:20. Quarterback Sean Clifford returns for a sixth season for the Nittany Lions who renewed James Franklin. The Tigers are down underneath Bryan Harsin after a 6-7 season in Yr 1, and the quarterback would be the essential speaking level this low season. Will this be a prime-time kick-off at Jordan Hare Stadium?
6. Oklahoma, Nebraska (September 17)
Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 23:16 in a extremely aggressive match in Norman in 2021. Who’s underneath extra stress within the rematch, the primary battle between the OU and NU in Lincoln since 2009? Scott Frost and the Huskers have had three wins in a row, however the Huskers had been surprisingly aggressive for a 3-9 crew in 2021. Oklahoma is coming into a brand new chapter with first 12 months coach Brent Venables and remains to be getting ready. earlier than shifting to the SEC. Anticipate one other tight one.
7. Utah, Florida (September 3)
Utah received the Pac-12 championship and misplaced a Rose Bowl thriller that season, and Kyle Whittingham continues to methodically construct this system. Florida presses the reset button with coach Billy Napier, and that is something however a high-flyer opponent at The Swamp. Utah has a greater file of the CFP period.
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eighth Tennessee in Pitt (September tenth)
Pitt beat Tennessee 41-34 with the assistance of a 27-point second quarter within the opener of a house and residential sequence. The Panthers used this as a stepping stone to an ACC championship. USC switch Kedon Slovis could possibly be the starter in opposition to the Vols, who wish to construct on a promising first 12 months underneath coach Josh Heupel.
9. Miami at Texas A&M (September seventeenth)
New coach Mario Cristobal will face Bethune-Cookman and Southern Miss forward of this street journey, which will probably be an important barometer for the Hurricanes. The Aggies have constructed up by means of glorious recruiting courses underneath Jimbo Fisher, however the stress is now on to ship an SEC championship. These groups haven’t met since 2008.
10. Cincinnati, Arkansas (September 3)
Cincinnati made it into the CFP with the assistance of a street win in Notre Dame in 2021. Subsequent season’s massive recreation is a visit to Fayetteville, the place the Razorbacks have had a 9-4 breakthrough season. The Bearcats are 6-36-1 in opposition to SEC Faculties and half of these wins go in opposition to Kentucky. If UC desires to remain in playoff talks, then a win is critical right here.
Simply missed
State of Arizona, Oklahoma (September tenth)
Baylor at BYU (September 10)
Michigan State in Washington (September 17)
Notre Dame, North Carolina (September twenty fourth)
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