ESPN releases 2022 kick-off & bowl games schedule. See who is playing “when and where” in Alabama.

ESPN is launching the 2022 College Football season in Montgomery, Alabama with the historic Cramton Bowl.

Last week, ESPN Events announced times and broadcast information for three Kickoff games and 17 post-season bowl games. Two of the three kickoff games will be played at Cramton Bowl which is celebrating its 100th year. All three kickoff games involve Alabama schools—Jacksonville State University, Alabama State University and Tuskegee University. Along with the kickoff games, three Alabama cities are hosting bowl games in December.

The Kickoff Games Schedule

College football’s first game of the year pits FCS powerhouses Jacksonville State University and Stephen F. Austin University in the Capital City for the 9th FCS Classic, August 27, 2:30pm (CT).

Later that evening in Atlanta,  The Hornets of Alabama State University take on Howard for the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off. The primetime, 6:00pm (Central ) HBCU game will be played at Atlanta’s Center Parc Stadium. 

The following week, capping off ESPN’s “kickoff” schedule,  Tuskegee plays Fort Valley State in the second annual Boeing Red Tails Classic. The matchup of HBCU programs honors the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. The game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 4, 6PM (Central) on ESPNU.

Bowl Schedule

December is bowl month for ESPN and Alabama has three bowls of the 17 games.

Pull out your calendar – here are the dates.

• LendingTree Bowl at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium Dec. 17, 4:45pm, ESPN. Teams are chosen from the Mid-American Conference, Sun Belt Conference or Conference USA.
• Camellia Bowl at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl Dec. 27,11:00am, ESPN. Teams come from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference.
• TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium Dec. 27, 2:15pm or 5:45 pm ESPN. The bowl features teams from the SEC and American Athletic Conference

From the Kickoff games to the Bowls, each game brings thousands of football fans from across the nation to the state, providing an economic boost to the local economy and some national recognition.

Have you gone ”bowling” (attended a bowl game) or attended a Kickoff Classic? Tell us which one you like best. Tag us on social media at @thebamebuzz