The ACC recently released their 2022 ACC football schedule. Here we take a look at what we did like about the 2022 ACC Football schedule. It wasn’t all great, because there will also be the 5 things I don’t like about the schedule coming up soon.
So here we go.
1) Florida State and North Carolina playing on August 27.
By the time the end of August rolls around, college football fans are ready to watch anything. Florida State and UNC play Duquesne and Florida A&M, which are 2 of 7 College Football games that day. An added benefit to FSU and UNC is they play 2 games that shouldn’t stress them too severely, but enables them to get a 2nd BYE week.
2) Pittsburgh vs West Virginia (September 1, 2022)
The Backyard Brawl is back! On a Thursday night, this will be a national TV game for Pittsburgh against a historical rival. The Panthers return a ton off their ACC Championship team, and West Virginia provides a credible to open the season. The Panthers host Tennessee the next week in a game I also like.
3) BYE week for Clemson before Notre Dame
Clemson playing Notre Dame is arguably the biggest non-conference game for the ACC, and one of the biggest games of the year. Kudos to the ACC for trying to protect your flagship football by providing an extra week to prepare for Notre Dame. Irish fans might not like it, but hey join a conference and stop whining.
4) NC State vs Texas Tech (September 17, 2022)
This is proper OOC scheduling for NC State. NC State is a much-improved program and should be ranked in the preseason top 25. They should not be playing Alabama-type opponents in the non-conference. Texas Tech is not a signature opponent, but it’s one if you win will be relatively well-regarded. The Wolfpack gets the game at home as well. That’s scheduling in your weight class.
5) Florida State vs LSU (September 4, 2022)
This is a perfect game for Florida State. You get a brand name program in transition, on national TV. Last year FSU and Notre Dame played one of the highest-rated games of the year Sunday night of Labor Day weekend. That performance had the nation buzzing even in a loss. If Mike Norvell could pull this off, there will be a level of optimism not seen in Tallahassee since Jimbo Fisher. I don’t see Joe Burrow walking through that door either for the Tigers. This is a golden opportunity for Florida State, and they will already have played a game the previous week.
