We’ve made it! College Football is back! Labor Day weekend means the start of football which I’ve been waiting months for. (Yes I realize there were a few games last weekend but that was still considered week 0). All the teams return to action this weekend with games beginning tonight. And there are some big matchups. While historically many major schools play “cupcake” schools in week one, there are two big college football games in the state of North Carolina this weekend.
#13 NC State will take on East Carolina at noon on Saturday while UNC visits Appalachian State which kicks off at the same time. Both should be compelling matchups to match and while the two ACC schools are both favored, they will need to be on top of their game. Emotions are sure to run high in these in-state rivalries. But these aren’t the only Carolina schools excited to play this weekend. Wake Forest will take the field tonight while Duke, Charlotte, and Coastal Carolina play Friday night. Saturday will feature the two previously mentioned games and Spencer Rattler’s South Carolina Gamecock debut. The finale of the weekend will take place Monday night with Clemson in prime time.
Check out the match-ups below and make sure to come back Monday for a recap of the games. It’s going to be a great weekend of college football in both North and South Carolina!
VMI at #22 Wake Forest
The 22nd-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons who won the ACC Atlantic in 2021 will be without starting quarterback Sam Hartman for this game. Hartman is out indefinitely, though expected to return at some point this season, due to an undisclosed medical issue. Even without the star QB Wake is still heavily favored in this matchup.
Location: Truist Field at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
Date: Thursday, September 1st
Time: 7:30pm
Spread: Wake -32
TV: ACCN
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: A.T. Perry #9 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs for yardage against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida.
#4 Clemson at Georgia Tech
After a disappointing season, at least by Clemson standards, the Tigers are looking to rebound. They enter the season ranked 4th in the country, which some think is too high. The face an ACC foe right off the bat in Georgia Tech which will be a good test for their new offensive and defensive coordinators. As the lone game on Monday night its sure to draw a lot of viewers.
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Date: Monday, September 5th
Time: 8:00pm
Spread: Clemson -22
TV: ESPN
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Taisun Phommachanh #7 of the Clemson Tigers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Cheez-It Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium on December 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.
Georgia State at South Carolina
Second-year coach Frank Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks are coming off a dominant performance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against UNC. They picked up former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler in the transfer portal, adding experience to their offense.
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium at the University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
Date: Saturday, September 3rd
Spread: South Carolina -12.5
TV: SECN+/ESPN+
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Juju McDowell #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks carries the ball for a touchdown during the first half of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Temple at Duke
The ACC Coastal division could be anyone’s to take this year. Does Duke have a chance? They will have to get off to a good start and a win against Temple would certainly give the Blue Devils the momentum they will need.
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium at Duke Univesity (Durham, NC)
Date: Friday, September 2nd
Time: 7:30pm
Spread: Duke -7
TV: ACCN
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 30: Gunnar Holmberg #12 of the Duke Blue Devils rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at Truist Field on October 30, 2021 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Army at Coastal Carolina
Coastal has been one of the most dominant teams in the Sun Belt in recent years garnering national attention behind quarterback Grayson McCall. They’ve set a standard in Conway, SC and this team is fun to watch. They have a chance to do something special this year and look to get off to a good start against Army.
Location: Brooks Stadium at Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
Date: Saturday, September 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Spread: Coastal Carolina -2
TV: ESPN +
BUFFALO, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: Grayson McCall #10 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers drops back to throw a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls at UB Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Buffalo, New York.
William & Mary at Charlotte
This is Charlotte’s second game of the season, they got a win last Saturday at Florida Atlantic. The 49ers hope to return to a bowl game this year after only going 5-7 in the 2021 season. They will face some tough opponents in the coming weeks including South Carolina and Maryland.
Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium at UNC Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Date: Friday, September 2nd
Time: 7:00pm
Spread: Charlotte -6.5
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Hasaan Klugh #7 of the Charlotte 49ers runs the football agains the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the football game at Jerry Richardson Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
