Pumpkin drinks have been released, cinnamon candles have reached the shelves, and leaves are beginning to change from their green hues to orange and brown tones. The seasons are shifting yet again, and fall’s staples are being welcomed with open arms. While some are excitedly baking pumpkin bread, others are rushing to grab the chips and buffalo chicken dip for college football kickoff.
College football’s Week 0, which typically showcases smaller football schools, had seven games scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, including powerhouses like Notre Dame. However, most fans tuned in for the traditional Week 1 on Sept. 2, watching the majority of schools open their season in what is commonly deemed as the first “official” games. Most think that current rankings have not met their typical expectations, as many schools have shifted their seats such as Alabama finding themselves lower than normal.
“The season is off to a wild start, and I think the rankings accurately reflect the teams,” Tate Nelms, senior, said.
A major focus this season is whether the University of Georgia (UGA) will become a three-peat for the College Football Playoff National Championship. Closing out last season, UGA beat Texas Christian University (TCU) 65-7, earning their second championship title. Already, the Georgia Bulldogs are a favorite to win again in 2023, making many wonder if they will be the second team in history to have a three-peat win, following Minnesota’s streak in the 1930s. But the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has an increased quality in teams, making for more playoff contenders. Following a preseason poll, the league includes three teams in the top five, but if UGA can pull off a three-peat championship, they will be the first to do so in the Associated Press poll, which provides weekly college sports rankings compiled between 62 sportswriters.
“Winning the three-peat championship, as a Georgia fan, is more important than anything. One reason being that it has only been done once before […] and because it would once again show the hard work that the team puts in every year. Our team has good connections on and off of the field, unlike some others, so I think that if they all continue to work together for the common goal, we will have our 3rd win in the bag,” Hannah Todd, junior, said.
Football is popular across the nation, but here in the South, football is a crucial part of the culture and life during the fall season. The first games for 2023 college football kicked off more than a few entertaining Saturdays, as it connected people through food, sports, and community as friends got together to watch the weekly matchups. The football season gives time to reflect on college years, or in a high schooler’s case, it brings excitement for the future.
“College football is definitely one of my favorite sports to watch in the fall. It is the perfect time to hang with family and cheer for our favorite teams. I cannot wait to see what the experience is like when I am in college,” Lila Hedlund, freshman, said.
As college football begins to unfold, students can stream rivalries and favorites live on ESPN, Hulu, YouTube TV, and other platforms. Check out weekly rankings, keep up with the Bulldog’s quest for history, and make sure to continue cheering on Etowah’s Friday night lights, even as support for Saturdays is picking up.
