The most wonderful time of the year in Alabama is just about here. No, not the holiday season - college football! The 2022 season kicks off for most teams this weekend, which means renewed hopes for hoisting a championship trophy in January. Alabama is well-represented when it comes to universities that rally around their football teams, and each hopes to start the season off with a victory that will allow them to head into the season on a high note. Here is who some of the Birmingham-area’s favorite Alabama-based college football teams take on in Week 1.

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Kennesaw State at Samford (Thursday, September 1st)

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Birmingham residents have a few opportunities to catch their favorite local teams in action this Thursday, with Samford leading things off by hosting a showdown with Kennesaw State at 6pm. The Bulldogs are feeling confident about the year, and a Week 1 victory would help show the world what this team is made of.

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Alabama A&M at UAB (Thursday, September 1st)

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UAB is looking to start the 2022 season off strong after an impressive 2021 campaign. Image from UAB Athletics 

At least one Alabama team is going to take a loss home this first week, as Alabama A&M and UAB face off at Protective Stadium on the Opening Day of 2022. The Bulldogs and Blazers fight for glory in Birmingham at 7pm, which will be a fun game to watch live. No matter who you are rooting for, it's pretty great that we have a game to enjoy first-hand in the Magic City on the first day of the season.

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Birmingham Southern at McMurry University (Saturday, September 3rd)

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Birmingham Southern is hitting the road for their first game of the season, with a matchup at McMurry University on Saturday at 1pm. The team is looking to bring a winning record and the start of a successful season back to Birmingham. The team finished with an impressive 10-2 record last year, and has no plans of slowing down in 2022.

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Troy at Ole Miss (Saturday, September 3rd)

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The Troy Trojans are looking to take down Ole Miss to start their 2022 season. Image from Troy Football

Troy is starting things off on a monumental note, taking on a ranked Ole Miss team in Oxford this Saturday. The Trojans will be looking to upset their SEC opponent during this 3pm duel, and have been known to upset a team or two in the past. Many Alabama fans will be rooting for Troy against their former Offensive Coordinator and an Ole Miss team that has caused them chaos in the past.

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Miles at Alabama State (Saturday, September 3rd)

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Alabama State has the most wins this year of any Alabama team on this list, but Miles is ready to stop the streak Saturday. Image from Alabama State Athletics

Another all-Alabama showdown takes place this Saturday, as the Miles Golden Bears travel to Montgomery to take on the Alabama State Hornets at 5pm. Alabama State already has a 1-0 record after being one of a few select teams to play their first games last week. They are looking to keep the momentum going with a home victory, but Miles football isn’t going to go down easily.

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Mercer at Auburn (Saturday, September 3rd)

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Auburn is ready to hit the ground running and start a great season against Mercer this Saturday. Image from Auburn Football

The Auburn Tigers have had plenty of excitement in the off-season (the kind of excitement that stresses fans out), but are hoping to start the 2022 season off with a strong victory against their Week 1 opponent in Mercer. The game takes place at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6pm.

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Utah State at Alabama (Saturday, September 3rd)

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Alabama has been training relentlessly to bring another trophy to Title Town, USA. Image from Alabama Football

Nick Saban’s University of Alabama football team is known for thrilling Week 1 matchups in the past, often traveling to cities like Atlanta and Dallas to do so. The 2022 year is against a rising collegiate opponent in Utah State and will take place in Tuscaloosa (where tickets are still affordable) at 6:30pm. It should be an entertaining opening game. 

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Cover image from Samford Football

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