College football is officially back. In my preview, I declared this particular iteration of games lackluster. On paper, it was pretty accurate, we only had one top-25 matchup. But college football has a way of making these weekends memorable.
Michigan State
The Spartans might have the best defense they’ve ever had during Mark Dantonio’s tenure. They played with a controlled rage that has to be intimidating for anyone. There aren’t many teams that have you ensuring you are in front of the TV when they take the field. Michigan State is one of those teams. They’re fast, tough, disciplined and mean.
Michigan State’s defense is going to be an isssssssueeeeee this year pic.twitter.com/3Fs5rtZfnC
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2019
Michigan State’s offense is another story. There’s some improvement there. But the offensive line still had issues getting any sort of push for any of the running backs. They committed a bunch of penalties, including one that negated a 14-yard Elijah Collins touchdown. The offensive line has to be the tone-setter. And for better or worse, it will be. But they have to set a positive tone.
Mark Dantonio teams are at their best when they can run the ball. Everything starts at the offensive line, especially at the collegiate level. I’m not convinced that they’re ready to pull their own weight quite yet. This feels eerily similar to 2013. Please bear in mind that it’s the first game.
Willie Taggart
Florida State player thirty very good minutes of football. The second half was a disaster. Up 31-13 at home, the Seminoles simply imploded. They looked gassed for most of the second half. They lacked any sort of positive energy. To me, that’s way worse than blowing an 18-point lead.
Given the circumstances, there is no reason Boise State should have won that game. But they rallied hard and overpowered an ACC team on the road. The Broncos are the G5 team to beat at this point.
Unreal scene here at the Doak. pic.twitter.com/qGSreb3GH4
— Matt Murschel (@osmattmurschel) August 31, 2019
Willie Taggart’s seat was already hot. This loss exacerbates his situation. The only thing that might be able to save him is that hefty buyout. He’s simply not cutting it.
Return of the Mack
I love Mack Brown. I loved him at Texas, I loved him at ESPN and now I love him at Chapel Hill. His last couple years at Texas were tumultuous to say the least. He looked and probably felt exhausted. After a few years at ESPN, he’s back to his roots in Carolina.
The Tar Heels were not spectacular in his debut. This felt like a game that South Carolina gave away. But UNC’s defense tightened up and gave true-freshman Sam Howell a chance to put together a few good drives.
Neither of these teams feel like Bowl teams to me. But Carolina has the advantage of playing in a far weaker conference. Six wins for them is totally doable in the ACC.
It’s odd to think that this was a turning point for both teams at such an early point in the season. But this loss did something to South Carolina. And this win certainly changes things for North Carolina. It was college football at its most basic level; the agony of defeat, the unbridled joy of triumph. At the center of it all was Mack Brown, once again on the winning side of a handshake after a game of football.
How could you not love Mack Brown pic.twitter.com/DANMbujPN7
— Jac Collinsworth (@JacCollinsworth) September 1, 2019
The Legend of Jalen Hurts
There’s something really weird going on in Norman. It’s Lincoln Riley’s third year, and he’s got his third transfer QB starting. The first two require no introduction. This one might be the most intriguing of the three. Jalen Hurts’ path through the transfer portal is unprecedented. His resume includes two SEC titles, a national title and an SEC OPOTY. He was unseated by an otherworldly talent. He’s found a new home at Oklahoma. Furthermore, he’s still out there just being himself.
He’s already accounted for six touchdowns and a billion yards of offense tonight. He looks comfortable and confident. Against Big XII defenses, he’ll probably grow accustomed to that.
Oklahoma has an embarrassment of riches to work with on offense. As I’m writing this, it’s clear to see that their defense will keep other teams in games yet again. But another theme that will also persist is Heisman-level play from their quarterback. I’ve been a Hurts believer since he first took the field for the Crimson Tide as a freshman. He’s going to be very fun to watch this season. Bring on the Red River Shootout.
Fun Fax
Florida State was 80-1 all-time when leading by 18 points or more. After Saturday, they are 80-2. Both losses have occurred under Willie Taggert’s watch.
Bo Nix was the first true freshman to start for an SEC team since 2004. He is 1-0 after a stunning comeback win over Oregon.
Tulsa’s -73 rush yards against Michigan State is the lowest total for a team in 69 years.
Random Things
Retread coaches are in style. Herm Edwards, Les Miles and Mack Brown are all 1-0 this season.
The Heisman race is wide open. Jonathan Taylor and Travis Etienne are our best chances at a non-QB Heisman winner. There’s tons of great running backs around t
I’m pumping the brakes on Nebraska and Northwestern.
UVA is a legitimately good football team.
Top 4
Clemson
Took care of business. No one got hurt. They’re the best team in the country.
Alabama
Also took care of business! It took a minute, but once they got the wheels rolling, they looked like a well-oiled machine. Business as usual.
Michigan
They looked like they’d have rather been anywhere else. That’s an issue. Their season has come down to the Ohio State game the last three years. They can’t look ahead to that game all season.
Georgia
I watched none of their win over Vanderbilt. They won 30-6 and it didn’t require very much effort at all apparently. No one got hurt.