Four games against nationally ranked opponents are on the docket for American Athletic Conference teams in the opening weekend of the 2023 season.

The American will consist of seven teams for the first time in 2023 as James Madison begins its first season in the league. The Dukes, who are ranked No. 12 in the preseason polls, face 2022 NCAA champion North Carolina Saturday in Chapel Hill. The game against the top-ranked Tar Heels will be the first of seven for James Madison against teams in the preseason top 25.

Florida, which is No. 7 in the ILWomen/IWLCA preseason poll, plays six games against top-25 teams in 2023, beginning with Sunday’s game against No. 17 Michigan. The Gators are the unanimous favorites in The American this season following last year’s run to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament.

Vanderbilt faces a pair of top-25 opponents in the opening weekend as the Commodores host No. 25 Colorado Friday and No. 9 Denver Sunday. Vanderbilt has six top-25 opponents on its 2023 schedule as well.

Temple has a challenging slate to open the season as well as the Owls host 2022 America East champion Vermont Friday before heading to Columbus to battle Ohio State in the Buckeyes’ new stadium.

East Carolina is home for a pair of games opening weekend. The Pirates, who reached the American Athletic Conference Championship semifinals for the first time last year, host Radford Friday before welcoming 2022 Patriot League runner-up Navy Sunday.

Cincinnati begins its season with a Friday home date against Kent State at Nippert Stadium before the Bearcats head to Gardner-Webb for a Sunday matinee.

Old Dominion plays the first of three straight road games to open the season when the Monarchs visit Elon Saturday. It will be the first game for Old Dominion under new head coach Theresa Walton, who led Youngstown State to a share of the Mid-American Conference regular-season title last season.