Look: Week 1 of the ESPN college football schedule is loaded
We're inching closer towards the 2023 college football season with bits and pieces of the early portion of the schedule being announced by the schools and networks, and now we have another batch of kickoff times and TV information for some of the biggest games in Week 1 on the ESPN and ABC networks.
The four-letter announced a half-dozen games to open up the season with a selection of games from across the Power Five, including some matchups that should have a direct impact on how the College Football Playoff shapes up this postseason.
All times Eastern
Florida at Utah. A huge early season non-conference matchup that pits the back-to-back Pac-12 football champs against a traditional SEC powerhouse out west. Florida won this game a year ago, but has to replace its quarterback, while Utah returns some veteran pieces at important positions. Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Virginia vs. Tennessee. Music City plays host to the home-state Volunteers in an SEC-ACC clash against the Cavaliers. A year ago, Big Orange led college football in total offense but two late losses kept it out of the SEC title and playoff convo. Now, the Vols look to replace key contributors and get off on the right foot. Sept. 12 at 12 p.m. on ABC
Arkansas State at Oklahoma. Our first look at the improvements Brent Venables hopes he's made to the Sooners after producing the school's first losing record in the 21st century during his debut season as head coach. Offensive playmakers like quarterback Dillon Gabriel are back, and OU scored some high-profile transfers, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. on ESPN
Boise State at Washington. Michael Penix is back under center for the Huskies after leading college football in passing production a year ago, and he has two top wide receivers returning, as well. Combine that with one of the better defensive line units in the country, and Washington could get into the CFP convo this fall. Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
North Carolina vs. South Carolina. A classic border war between the Carolinas: in the North, an elite quarterback in Drake Maye but several questions elsewhere on the roster including when rushing the passer; in the South, a Gamecocks squad that beat Tennessee and Clemson a year ago and returns quarterback Spencer Rattler but also lost key players to the portal. Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC
LSU vs. Florida State. A nail-biter that came down to a kick last season, these two meet up for another SEC-ACC battle, this time in Orlando, closer to Seminoles country, pitting a Florida State team that won 10 games a year ago and returns the bulk of a gifted roster against LSU, the surprise SEC West champ in Brian Kelly's debut season, and also bringing back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. A huge early season clash with playoff implications off the bat. Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC
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