College football Week 0 schedule 2022: 3 under-the-radar games to watch

2. Charlotte 49ers at Florida Atlantic Owls

Nebraska vs Northwestern isn’t the only interconference matchup taking place during Week 0. You also have the Charlotte 49ers taking on the Florida Atlantic Owls in a C-USA bout between two teams who have a lot to prove this season.

Both teams went 5-7 last season, but have a chance to start fresh in the season opener. Charlotte Head Coach Will Healy needs to show that he has what it takes to lead this program after going 14-17 in his first three seasons. Willie Taggart, the head coach for FAU, is in a similar spot having gone 10-11 in his two seasons with the Owls.

The 49ers look to lean on their returning skill position players to help get them started on the right foot: quarterback Chris Reynolds, running back Shadrick Byrd, and wide receivers Victor Tucker and Grant DuBose.

For FAU, they’ve endured another offseason in which they’ve brought in a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator. N’Kosi Perry will enjoy having most of his offensive line return to protect him in 2022 (save for the left guard and left tackle).

Both of these teams desperately need to get off to a good start this season. Who comes out of this one 1-0?

Charlotte hosts FAU on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. ET on CBSSN.