College football Week 0 games, ranked by what you should watch

Of us, we’ve lastly made it.

After months of realignment speak, convention drama, and Congress hearings about Title, Picture and Likeness, it’s lastly time for the video games on the sphere.

Faculty soccer video games will truly be performed this week, known as Week 0 as a result of not each crew is taking part in this weekend, and whereas a few of them look boring on the floor, there’s some actual enjoyable video games in right here that may carry out the soccer sicko in all of us.

So what we’re right here to do is rank the video games based mostly on watchability, so you realize which video games to observe whenever you activate the TV Saturday. Essentially the most enjoyable/watchable video games can be first, so you realize which video games to circle this weekend.

1. Ohio @ San Diego State: 7:00 pm ET, FS1

In my Group of 5 groups that could possibly be get together crashers within the closing 12 months of the 4 crew Faculty Soccer Playoff, I had the Ohio Bobcats as a crew that could possibly be a sleeper G5 crew that may rise to the nationwide eye. Not solely do they return most of their starters from a enjoyable crew final 12 months, they return star QB Kurtis Rourke. Whereas the Maple Missile is recovering from a knee harm suffered close to the tip of final season, Rourke needs to be again wholesome and able to comply with up on a improbable season the place he threw for over 3,000 yards at over 9 yards per try. The Bobcats journey out to San Diego in Week 0 to tackle an Aztecs crew that prides itself on stingy protection. One of many final groups round that runs a real 3-3-5 (shoutout to Rocky Lengthy), the Aztecs have to exchange numerous starters, together with star S Patrick McMorris, who transferred to Cal. Nonetheless, the Aztecs will proceed to play robust protection, whereas offensively a former DB in Jalen Mayden stepped in because the QB midseason and turned the offense round. Needs to be a reasonably enjoyable sport, and it takes the highest spot right here.

Picture by Quinn Harris/Getty Photographs

2. Navy vs. No. 13 Notre Dame (in Eire): 2:30 pm ET, NBC

Eire is turning into an actual hotbed for soccer, with school soccer persevering with their Aer Lingus Faculty Soccer Basic by bringing Navy and Notre Dame throughout the pond. Whereas having the Combating Irish play in Eire could seem to be an unfair benefit, the Irish should cope with their very own expectations as properly. They arrive into the season ranked No. 13 within the nation, and with a powerful season might discover themselves within the New Years Six as soon as once more.

Second-year head coach Marcus Freeman introduced in former Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman to guide the offense this 12 months, and LT Joe Alt is a future first spherical choose. In addition they stay sturdy on the defensive facet of the ball, with CB Benjamin Morrison main the secondary. They match up in opposition to Navy, who’s going by somewhat little bit of a change on the high. HC Brian Newberry takes over after Ken Niumatalolo was fired, and the beneath middle triple choice is being phased out of the Midshipmen’s offense (unhappy, single tear rolls down my cheek). Nevertheless, the Midshipmen will at all times play robust and disciplined, and getting QB Tai Lavatai again ought to assist. Watch this one to see Sam Hartman in a brand new jersey and the environment in Eire.

3. San Jose State @ No. 6 USC: 8:00 pm ET, Pac-12 Community

This one is straightforward: Caleb Williams. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and potential high choose within the 2024 NFL Draftis again for the Trojans to repeat his success final 12 months, whereas the Trojans look to lastly make the Faculty Soccer Playoff. The offense can be good: Lincoln Riley pulling the strings, Williams at QB, and a bevy of receiver expertise led by Brenden Rice (son of sure, Jerry Rice), the Trojans will put up factors on everybody. The query is the protection, which was porous final 12 months. USC brings in transfers akin to former Georgia DT Bear Alexander to assist shore that up, however it stays to be seen how efficient it’ll be. San Jose State is led by QB Chevan Cordeiro, and the Spartans are upset minded, however this one is all about USC and Williams. The one motive this isn’t greater is as a result of this sport is on Pac-12 Community, which is…a difficulty to say the least.

Picture by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Photographs

4. Hawaii @ Vanderbilt: 7:30 pm ET, SEC Community

Okay look, hear me out. I believe Vanderbilt goes in the correct course. In one other 12 months beneath head coach Clark Lea, the Commodores needs to be extra aggressive in an SEC East that outdoors of Georgia isn’t very inspiring. Sophomore QB AJ Swann has expertise, and the receiver room has three proficient choices in Will Sheppard, Jayden McGowan and Quincy Skinner Jr. The protection has but to come back alongside for the journey, however after ending 5-7 final 12 months, the hope is that Vanderbilt can (gasp!) make a bowl sport. The identical can’t actually be stated for Hawaii. Timmy Chang inherited a BAD roster, with BAD amenities and HORRENDOUS vibes after Todd Graham left. The passing sport wasn’t absolutely there final 12 months, being extraordinarily inefficient, however they do have 5’7 dynamo Tylan Hines again at RB. Discover methods to get him the ball, and this sport might get very humorous, very fast.

5. UTEP @ Jacksonville State: 5:30 pm ET, CBS Sports activities Community

The primary sport within the Convention-USA period for Jacksonville State is available in Week 0. After being top-of-the-line groups on the FCS degree, the Gamecocks come as much as C-USA and will make some noise early with a win over UTEP. This one is straightforward: if you wish to see how an FCS crew coming as much as the G5 degree goes to look, come no additional.

6. FIU @ Louisiana Tech: 9:00 pm ET, CBS Sports activities Community

Look, we’re attending to the underside of the barrel right here, however I assume I’ve to say one thing good about FIU, so right here goes (#RollOwls): second 12 months head coach Mike MacIntyre isn’t doing a nasty job. Sure that crew goes to be unhealthy, however the workers is ok and it was going to take a while earlier than FIU might be again to being aggressive. 4-8 is a optimistic first step.

7. UMass @ New Mexico State: 7:00 pm ET, ESPN

UMass head coach Don Brown has certainly one of my favourite soccer sayings ever, and it’s so easy: “Clear up your issues with aggression”.

Outdoors of that … look, it’s soccer, man. We prayed for occasions like this, so I can be there it doesn’t matter what.