It is finally here. Week one of the college football season. Ok, the NCAA calls it week two, because Eastern Washington and Sam Houston played last weekend, but let’s be serious. There are a lot of key players at top ranked schools to be replaced, a lot of quarterbacks to be accounted for and, surprisingly enough, some great early match-ups with some teams that have so much on the line right away. And yes, I am continuing to ignore the rankings, because prior to the playoff committee releasing its poll on October 28th, everything else is just internet fodder.
Week 1 College Football Preview
Thursday; South Carolina vs. Texas A&M: Hey, I wasn’t kidding when I said we have some highlight games right off the bat. This is the “replacement game.” How does A&M replace Johnny Manziel at QB? Aggies Head Coach Kevin Sumlin has lived well off his signal callers over the years. He had Case Keenum at Houston and then Manziel for two years at A&M. Sophomore Kenny Hill gets the call for this week. There is a lot of returning talent on offense, so that helps. It is the defense that is suspect. For the Gamecocks, the question is not how to replace number one overall NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney on defense. The real replacement to watch is at quarterback. Gone is Connor Shaw, who became a legend in Columbia by winning games with his guts and moxy, all the while hobbling up and down the field with a battered and bruised body. Redshirt senior Dylan Thompson will take over the South Carolina offense. Thompson saw plenty of action last season during Shaw’s many visits with the medical staff. This is the first game ever between the two schools. Sumlin is 0-2 in SEC openers.
Sat; Georgia vs. Clemson: A great annual non-conference match-up and another “replacement game” of sorts. The Tigers lose two of the best offensive weapons in school history in WR Sammy Watkins and QB Tajh Boyd. Senior Cole Stoudt will start at QB for Clemson. He saw mop-up duty in eight games last year. Georgia has a legitimate Heisman candidate in running back Todd Gurley, but you have to like that their quarterback is Hutson Mason. Please. Seriously? Tell me they did not call central casting for a SEC QB name. This is also the “suspension game.” Both teams have several players suspended for everything from violating team rules to possession of marijuana. In July, Georgia also kicked off defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor after he was arrested for aggravated assault. Just a run of the mill offseason for Head Coach Mark Richt.
Virginia vs. UCLA: First game of Saturday actually, with a noon east coast start time. These are often traps for the few west coast teams that dare travel all the way across the country, but Jim Mora’s Bruins actually practice at 7 am on weekdays, before classes start. No early alarm clocks needed here. It has been about 16 years since high hopes intertwined with legitimate promise in Westwood. UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley is deservedly getting most of the preseason hype for the Bruins, and the offensive line returns four of five starters. But it is the defense, and the secondary in particular, that could make the difference with eight returning starters. One person apparently not impressed is Virginia quarterback Greyson Lambert who told a Charlottesville media outlet that he faces a defense that is, “as good, if not better, every day in practice.” Pretty bold coming from a team that was 2-10 last year, with a coach whose job is on the line. Even the home fans are not moved as only 45,000 tickets have been sold.
LSU vs. Wisconsin: This could be a make or break game for Wisconsin. Seriously. Yes, I told you it was week one. But Wisconsin does not play conference rivals Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State this season, so other than a potential conference championship game, this is the most high profile opponent on the schedule for Bucky Badger, in a season where strength of schedule carries more weight than ever before. LSU has enough talent to contend for the SEC West title this year, but of course has to fend off Alabama and Auburn to get there. Neutral field game in Houston.
Alabama vs. West Virginia: Mildly intriguing out of conference game. As of Tuesday, Nick Saban says he still has not decided who will replace AJ McCarron at quarterback. Four days before the game, Nick? Sure. Whatever you say, Coach.
Navy vs. Ohio State: Usually this would not rank very high on the interesting meter, but with Ohio State losing quarterback and Heisman candidate Braxton Miller for the season, it is expected that every game is going to be nail biter for a team that many had going to the four-team playoff at the end of the season.
USC vs. Fresno State: Depth will be a bigger challenge for Southern Cal, than will be Fresno State. USC has a lot of talent in their starters, but is still carrying only 65 on the roster due to NCAA sanctions. They can’t afford to lose much of anyone this season. The Trojans will be missing corner back Josh Shaw. He sprained both ankles and then lied about the who-what-where-when-why. He has the injury and now an indefinite suspension. Ironically he had just been named a captain this week. The USC faithful are feeling good going into a season for the first time since Pete Carroll bolted for the NFL and to celebrate that Coach Sark is attempting to trademark several variations of his name. Fresno State is one of many teams trying to slot in a new QB.
Oklahoma State vs. Florida State: There are no Publix Supermarkets in Stillwater, Oklahoma, so the crab legs are safe from Seminole QB Jameis Winston for now. The ACC is relatively down this year, so FSU needs a good out of conference performance to begin a viable defense of last season’s title. Likewise, the Big 12 looks like a one or two team conference this year, so Oklahoma State has this and only one or two more opportunities to make a big impression. Played at the “JerryDome” in Texas.
Idaho vs. Florida: Usually I would lambaste a SEC team for opening the season against Idaho, but things have been so bad for the Gators in recent years, winning this game is nowhere near a lock.
Monday; Louisville vs. Miami: Nothing says Labor Day and a national day of honoring our workforce, quite like adding on one more game for the opening weekend. An ACC opener for two teams figuring to fight for their respective places behind Florida State. Louisville starts the second tenure of scandal plagued Bobby Petrino as head coach.
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