It’s officially Week 2 for College Football, and Preseason Top 10 Florida State is already 0-2 with two conference losses.
Things can change quickly.
Before looking ahead, some quick thoughts on scores which caught my eye from last week.
Week 1 Recap:
Boston College 28 Florida State 13: The Seminoles started the year as a Top 10 team, and the favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference. By Labor Day night September 2nd, they were sitting on two defeats, both against ACC foes. Monday night was a rough watch. QB DJ Uiagalelei was inaccurate and uncomfortable. He didn’t look like a guy that has his level of college experience. The Seminoles rush defense was gutted numerous times. It’s as bad a start for a projected contender as a I can remember.
USC 27 LSU 20: A Big Ten win over the SEC, as Trojans QB Miller Moss threw for 378 yards. It was a winnable game for LSU, but they couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. LSU had the possession lead 33 to 27 minutes, but USC had more total yards. LSU entered the game talking about their run game, but USC only allowed 113 yards on the ground, with seemingly improved defensive physicality from a year ago.
JMU 30 Charlotte 7: Expected James Madison to win, but the score surprised me a bit. JMU reached #18 in the AP Poll last year before HC Curt Cignetti left for Indiana. Seemed like most betters expected a step back for the program, but they should be in the mix for the Sun Belt title.
UCLA 16 Hawaii 13: Held scoreless in the 1st half, UCLA had to rally to win in Hawaii.
Nevada 28 Troy 26: The Mountain West over the Sun Belt.
UNLV 27 Houston 7: The Mountain West over the Big 12.
Northwestern 13 Miami (OH) 6: The Big Ten’s Wildcats were pushed against the Mid-American RedHawks. Miami was able to move the ball in the air, but had just 40 rushing yards.
Vanderbilt 34 Virginia Tech 27 in OT: Not a good look for the Hokies dropping this game. Some had billed Virginia Tech as a darkhorse ACC contender.
Miami 41 Florida 17: The Billy Napier era is ending soon. Miami got 385 yards in the air from Cam Ward. With Florida State’s losses, and Clemson’s loss; the Hurricanes suddenly look like the ACC’s best.
Georgia 34 Clemson 3: It was a 6-0 game at the half, and then the Tigers got manhandled. Clemson’s a good defensive team, but their offense couldn’t do anything vs. Georgia. Does feel like Dabo Sweeney is finally going to have to change his approach with the portal.
Oregon 24 Idaho 14: I’m not going to read too much into this game, but certainly catches your eye that the Ducks didn’t seem to show up for this one.
Penn State 34 West Virginia 12: The Nittany Lions go on the road and win convincingly against a program with pride. The Mountaineers had aspirations of an upset, but allowed 457 yards and only had 246 yards themselves.
Notre Dame 23 Texas A&M 13: This was the most enjoyable game I saw last weekend. Great scene at A&M. Notre Dame winning there is nice win, and greatly elevated the Irish’s chances of being part of the College Football Playoff. Given the overall weakness of their remaining schedule, it would be an upset at this point if ND doesn’t reach the CFP.
Week 2 Games Of Note
Texas at Michigan: The Longhorns are a 4 point favorite, and ESPN’s Power Index gives them a 74.1% chance of winning. That’s party respect to where Texas is currently, and that’s partly based on a feeling that Michigan is going to need time to find their footing after last year’s title and the changes to their program since then. Michigan caught grief for not looking better vs. Fresno State. Fresno is a solid program. Wouldn’t be surprised if Texas wins by two td’s. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Michigan backed by 100,000 fans in Ann Arbor shows some pride here, and wins. Would think Texas isn’t going to be intimidated after large parts of their roster went to Alabama and won last year.
Kansas State at Tulane: #17 K-State is a 9 point favorite, and ESPN’s Power Index gives them a 54.8% chance of getting the road W. Tulane is expected to contend in the American. K-State expected to contend in the Big 12.
Arkansas at Oklahoma State: A mediocre SEC team faces a Top 20 Big 12 team. It’s a solid win for the Cowboys if they get it, and a deflating loss for them and the Big 12 if they lose.
Georgia Tech at Syracuse: The Yellow Jackets are in the Top 25 now coming off of their Week 0 win in Ireland over Florida State. Are they good? Or is FSU currently just really down?
Baylor at Utah: A nice game here in the reconfigured Big 12.
Tennessee at NCST (in Charlotte): Two Top 25 teams. The Wolfpack might feel like they and not Miami is the ACC’s best if they can get the win here.
Boise State at Oregon: The Broncos put 56 in Week 1, but also allowed 45 to Georgia Southern. Boise State is a 21.5 dog in this game, and ESPN’s Power Index gives Oregon a 79.8% chance of winning. You’d expect a better performance from Oregon this week. This could be a more entertaining game than the expectations shown in the spread.
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