The college football schedule for the 2022 season kicks off with Week Zero action on Saturday, Aug. 27. A total of 14 games are on the slate, which is up from seven games last season.
Week Zero is the unofficial name for the weekend of college football games that are played on the Saturday prior to Labor Day weekend.
Under NCAA Bylaw 17.11.4, Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams cannot play their first contest until the Thursday preceding Labor Day, which is September 1 this season. Beginning in 2016, an exception to this rule was added (Bylaw 17.11.4.1) that allows Hawaii and teams that play in Hawaii, plus their opponents, the option to play one week earlier on the Saturday before Labor Day weekend.
This season, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors host the Vanderbilt Commodores in Week Zero at the Clarence T. Ching Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game is set for 10:30pm ET and it will be televised by CBS Sports Network (CBSSN).
Six other matchups have been scheduled for Week Zero since seven of the involved teams — Nevada, New Mexico State, UNLV, Utah State, WKU, and Wyoming — play Hawaii this season. WKU plays host to Austin Peay, UNLV hosts Idaho State, Utah State hosts UConn, Wyoming travels to square off with Illinois, Duquesne plays at Florida State, and Nevada plays at New Mexico State.
A second exception, Bylaw 17.11.4.2, also provides FCS schools the opportunity to play in Week Zero. In order for FCS schools to qualify, they must play a non-conference matchup that is nationally televised (broadcast or cable; not Internet only).
For the 2022 season, three contests involving FCS teams meet that qualification and are scheduled for Week Zero — Stephen F. Austin vs. Jacksonville State (ESPN; in Montgomery, AL), Howard vs. Alabama State (ESPN; in Atlanta, GA), and Florida A&M at North Carolina (8:15pm, ACCN).
The Florida A&M-North Carolina matchup was originally scheduled for Sept. 17, but was moved to Week Zero “…in order to shine a spotlight on the proud history of HBCU schools and their football accomplishments.”
Several other matchups that are scheduled for Week Zero did not meet the qualifications, but the schools applied for and received an exemption from the NCAA. One matchup, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic featuring Nebraska vs. Northwestern, will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland and will be televised by FOX at 12:30pm ET.
Other matchups include Morehead State at Mercer, Charlotte at Florida Atlantic, and North Texas at UTEP. The two Conference USA games were granted an exception due to the conference having to revise their 2022 schedule after losing three members to the Sun Belt Conference.
Another NCAA rule, commonly known as the Hawaii Exemption, allows Hawaii and teams that play in Hawaii the opportunity to schedule a 13th regular-season game. This helps those schools earn an extra guarantee payment, ticket revenue, etc., to offset the larger cost of traveling between the continental United States and the islands of Hawaii.
FBS teams can play a maximum of 12 regular-season games each year, per Bylaw 17.11.6.1. However, Bylaw 17.11.6.2 (g) permits any football games played in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico to not count against the maximum number of contests.
For the 2022 college football season, only Hawaii and WKU will take advantage of the Hawaii Exemption. Below are the details:
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will play a 13-game regular-season schedule for the second consecutive season. Hawaii will play non-conference games at home against Vanderbilt, WKU, and Duquesne and will travel to face Michigan and New Mexico State.
In Mountain West action, Hawaii hosts Nevada, Wyoming, Utah State, and UNLV and travels to San Diego State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Jose State.
For the first time in their history, the WKU Hilltoppers will play 13 games during the regular-season. WKU opens the season at home against Austin Peay before traveling to face Hawaii. Other non-conference opponents include Troy at home and Indiana and Auburn on the road.
In Conference USA action, the Hilltoppers will host FIU, UAB, North Texas, and Rice and will play at UTSA, Middle Tennessee, Charlotte, and Florida Atlantic.
See also: 26 amazing facts about the 2022 college football schedule
2022 College Football Schedule | Week Zero
*All times Eastern.
Saturday, Aug. 27
Austin Peay at WKU – 12pm, CBSSN
Nebraska vs. Northwestern (in Ireland) – 12:30pm, FOX
Stephen F. Austin vs. JSU (in Montgomery, AL) – 3:30pm, ESPN
Idaho State at UNLV – 3:30pm, CBSSN
UConn at Utah State – 4pm, FS1
Wyoming at Illinois – 4pm, BTN
Duquesne at Florida State – 5pm, ACCN
Morehead State at Mercer – 7pm, ESPN+
Howard vs. Alabama State (in Atlanta, GA) – 7pm, ESPN
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic – 7pm, CBSSN
Florida A&M at North Carolina – 8:15pm, ACCN
North Texas at UTEP – 9pm, Stadium
Nevada at New Mexico State – 10pm, ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Hawaii – 10:30pm, CBSSN
Football Schedules
- College Football Schedule (FBS only)
- FCS Schedule (FCS only)
- College Football TV Schedule (FBS and FCS)
Kevin Kelley,
Great Article on the Hawai’i Exemption!
I now know what I need to about Week Zero & about MW Teams who play Uni. Hawai’i-Manoa Rainbow Warriors regularly.
Obviously, the City & County of Honolulu, HI are looking for Financing to eventually build a new ALOHA Stadium so that they may stage the many Football Games,(from H.S. Playoffs to college All-Star & Exhibition Contests) Concerts & whatever the City & County of Honolulu, HI used the Venue for before it’s Condemnation in 2020.
I wish the Hawai’i exemption would be expanded to include any state that does not have an FBS level college. That might encourage a G5 school actually to travel and play an FCS school, and give FCS schools something considering where things are headed with the P2.
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The states in question would include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.
That would definitely increase the chances of a 1-AA fChampionshipS School with a large Stadium attracting a 1-A fbs School.
Dan-ke for the FYI about Okinas. I now know their Name. I like using them. Because Hawai’i an Language has been submerged by 48 other English speaking States doesn’t mean I choose to only write Latin Alfabet Symbols.
PS, an FYI: The University is Hawai’i. The state is acceptably Hawaii with no ‘okina.
I can’t believe that Hawaii is hosting Handy-Dandy Vandy in week 0 because Vanderbilt is the worst team in the FBS 2nd to UConn and the Commodores have to travel a long way for a road game.
Vandy will take the win and the trip to Hawai’i though gladly!
Haha-hahahaha,
No, it’s the comparison to the other 13 SEC Teams wins over VAnderbilt U. which make the Commodores appear worst.
Compare how VAnderbilt looks to how U. Illinois Illini & U. Indiana Hoosiers LOOK Vs the other 12 Teams in the B1G 10.
There are many 1-A Programs with No Momentum & minimal Funding, zero national Presence. The vast Majority of examples are in the Dependent Five Conferences. Looking at records in the last Decade a few Franchises tumbling along like Tumbleweeds are: The Huskies, The Blue Raiders, The Minutemen, The Warhawks, The Falcons, The Aggies, The Lobos, The Rebels, The Jaguars, The Eagles, The Eagles, The Bulls, The Miners, The Owls, The Panthers.
In My Opinion, the average casual Fan has no Idea that these college Franchises even exist.