College Football Games to Watch This Weekend

Week one of the 2023 college football season is here. Some interesting SEC games are coming this Saturday before Georgia kicks off, but what games are worth the watch?

Football fans across the nation can put their worries to rest this Saturday as college football week one is officially here. The Georgia Bulldogs are set to kick off their 2023 season against the UT Martin Skyhawks this weekend, with some key players to look for on both sides of the ball. Aside from the first battle between these two programs this weekend, there are plenty of games to watch. Let's look around the SEC and what to watch this coming Saturday. 

Florida vs. #14 Utah

The second season under Bill Napier will start in Salt Lake City, Utah, this Thursday night at 8 p.m. on ESPN when the Florida Gators take on the #14 Utah Utes. Last season, the Gators opened strong, fighting for their new coach and defeating the Utes 29-26. The #4 and #25 overall NFL draft picks, Anthony Richardson (UF) and Dalton Kincaid (Utah) played a vital role in the game from just a season ago. The Utes are coming off an impressive 2022 season that saw them finish with a 104 record but defeated Caleb Williams and USC for the second time to win the PAC-12 Championship. Florida ended the season with a 6-7 record, losing their last three games to Vanderbilt, Florida State, and Oregon State. Napier wants to rally his team for a solid road victory to start their new campaign. It should be a good name Thursday night. ESPN gives Utah a 74% chance to win the game, while Florida has a 26% chance. 

Virginia vs. # 12 Tennessee (Nashville, TN)

The Cavaliers versus The Vols in Country Music Capitol of the world. Josh Heupel and Tennessee host Virginia in the neutral site of the Tennessee Titans stadium in Nashville, TN, at noon on ABC this Saturday. Tennessee began their season in 2022 against one of Virginia's ACC foes, Pittsburgh. It was the start to an 11-2 season that saw the Vols be ranked as high as #1 when they faced off against Georgia. Virginia's season did not fair as well. They finished 3-7, only picking up wins against Richmond, Old Dominion, and Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers have to turn their program around in 2023 and capture a fanbase in the Commonwealth grasping for good college football in Virginia, like when Michael Vick was at Virginia Tech. Picking up a massive upset in the Volunteer State would be a big momentum swing for Virginia, who is only given a 13% chance to win this game, according to ESPN. 

Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) walks with assistance off the field in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions of the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#21 North Carolina vs. South Carolina 

The Battle of the Carolinas occurs Saturday night on ABC at 7:30 p.m. It will be one of the key matchups of the season for both teams, who have something to prove this season. Heisman candidate Drake Maye is entering what will likely be his final season with the Tar Heels after capping off a 9-5 season, but he isn't the only star on the field this game. His teammate and Georgia native Caleb Downs is one of the nation's top safeties for the 2023 draft class and will be lining up on the opposite side of the ball as S.C. QB Spencer Rattler. South Carolina had a strong finish to their 2022 season, which pushed them to third in the SEC East with an 8-5 record. Shane Beamer and his squad want to push further into the conversation as one of the dominant forces in the SEC, and a win against the Tarheels to start their season will give them all the hype they need to start the season. On the other hand, Mack Brown and North Carolina want to right their ship after losing the last four games of their 2022 season. ESPN gives North Carolina a 58% chance to win the game, while South Carolina has a 42% chance. 

#5 LSU vs. #8 Florida State

The Tigers and The Seminoles will be the game of the week when they play Monday night at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Florida State pulled off a nailbiter when the two teams faced off last season, beating LSU 24-23. This win started a 10-3 season for FSU, one of their best in the past five seasons. They want to continue this momentum, and with a weaker ACC schedule, aside from Clemson, the Seminoles could do it again. Although LSU did lose the game last year, the first season under Brian Kelly was not a disappointment. The Tigers finished the season with an SEC Championship runner-up and a 10-4 record. Of their four losses, Texas A&M was the only team to beat them who did not win ten games last season, the other three being Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida State. This matchup brings two high-powered offenses that averaged over 34 points a game each (LSU: 34.6, FSU: 36.1). The game will likely start with the defense carrying most of the weight but the offenses will open up and big plays will happen. Final score prediction, LSU comes out victorious beating Florida State by a final score of 42-31. 

Other Games Around the SEC

In week "zero" of the 2023 season, Vanderbilt hosted Hawai'i, defeating them 35-28. It is the second straight season the Commodores beat Hawai'i to start the season 1-0. They host Alabama A&M at 7 p.m. Saturday night on ESPN+/SECN+. Thursday night, Missouri will play host to South Dakota on SEC Network. Kentucky plays Ball State in Lexington, KY, on SEC Network on Saturday at noon, while Arkansas hosts Western Carolina at 1 p.m. on ESPN+/SECN+, and the #22 Ole Miss Rebels host the Mercer Bears at 2 p.m. on the same networks. Hugh Freeze starts his era at Auburn as they host the 1-0 Massachusetts Minute Men on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. SE Louisiana travels to Mississippi State to play the Bulldogs at 4 p.m. on SEC Network. ESPN will be in College Station when New Mexico plays the #23 Texas A&M Aggies this Saturday at 7 p.m. Lastly, 30 minutes later, #4 Alabama kicks off their 2023 season against Middle Tennessee State on ESPN+/SECN+. 

Other Georgia News:

• Despite Injuries, Smart Bullish on Georgia's Running Backs
• Practice Observations - Georgia Priming for Second Scrimmage
• Preseason All-SEC Teams Released

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