Georgia and Ohio State Open With Wins Over Ranked Opponents in College Football’s Opening Weekend

Defending national champion Georgia drew a tough assignment as it opened its 2022 college football season. The Bulldogs, ranked #3 in the nation, played #11 Oregon in Atlanta on September 3rd. Georgia lost 15 players to the NFL draft after winning the championship, so this was quite a test to open the season.

Or so we thought. Quarterback Stetson Bennett completed 25 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs blew out the Ducks 49-3. Georgia rolled up 571 total yards and played turnover free football in the victory. The Bulldogs served notice that they will be the team to beat in the SEC East.

Alabama, the preseason #1 ranked team, staked its claim to being the power in the SEC West once again, as the Crimson Tide clobbered unranked Utah State 55-0. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young threw five touchdown passes and rushed for 100 yards and another touchdown.

In Columbus, Ohio, 2nd ranked Ohio State hosted #5 Notre Dame. The Buckeyes trailed 10-7 at halftime, but held the Fighting Irish scoreless in the second half and ground out a 21-10 victory. OSU QB C.J. Stroud completed 24 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. This was only the seventh time these two perennial football powerhouses have met, despite being only 250 miles apart. Ohio State has won the last five in a row.

In a really strange game, unranked Iowa hosted FCS opponent South Dakota State. Usually, games between FBS and FCS opponents result in a relatively easy win for the former and a big payday for playing in a huge stadium for the latter. The Jackrabbits held the Hawkeyes to just 166 total yards, but Iowa managed to pull it out by a score of 7-3. But Iowa didn’t score a touchdown with an extra point; no, they scored their seven points on a field goal in the first quarter and two second half safeties.