College football rankings: 5 Top 25 teams that will lose first in 2022
By John Buhler
4. No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Tennessee Volunteers (Week 2, Sept. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff)
This has trap game written all over it for Pitt. While the Panthers will host arch rival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, they cannot overlook Tennessee coming to town in Week 2. Although Pitt could totally lose at home to the Mountaineers, it would be beyond shocking if Tennessee does not beat Ball State in its home opener. Tennessee could be ranked entering this Week 2 game, too.
Even if that is not the case, Tennessee has the quarterback in Hendon Hooker to put up points on a Pitt team that lost Kenny Pickett, Jordan Addison and former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple off last season’s ACC Championship squad. With it being in Pittsburgh, that certainly helps the Panthers, but keep in mind what league Tennessee plays in. The Vols have seen it all.
Kedon Slovis will have to play outstanding in back-to-back games for Pitt to start the year out 2-0.
3. No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (Week 1, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff)
In what projects to be the best game of the Labor Day Weekend slate, No. 2 Ohio State will host No. 5 Notre Dame in an absolutely awesome non-conference affair we all wish could happen more often. While Notre Dame is one of the better programs in the country, Marcus Freeman is going to have more than his hands full when taking on his alma mater led by Ryan Day in the Horseshoe.
Tyler Buchner could be a revelation under center for the Golden Domers, but Day has Heisman Trophy finalist and potential No. 1 overall pick in C.J. Stroud back at it for the Buckeyes. Not only that, but Stroud will be rifling the pigskin to arguably the best wide receiving corps in the country, headlined by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Notre Dame could win, but Ohio State is a massive favorite here.
Either way, the Buckeyes or the Fighting Irish will begin their college season with an 0-1 record.