After a truly bizarre off-season, Midweek Musings is back. Due to the small number of Week One games, I’m combining my thoughts for the first two weeks of action into one column. (Is your team not playing yet? Mine, either. But we have the latest on the Pac-12 and the Big Ten, too). Here are my Midweek Musings, Weeks One and Two:
Middle Tennessee State at Army (Week One)
Only at Army will you see a quarterback go 2 of 4 for 28 yards passing in a 42-0 win. The Black Knights had seven players with at least 20 yards on the ground, and scored five rushing touchdowns, along with a pick-six.
BYU at Navy (Week One)
The Naval Academy had two quarterbacks complete two of four passes attempts, but their result was the opposite of Army’s. BYU thrashed the Midshipmen 55-3, racking up nearly 600 yards of offense in the process.
Louisiana-Lafayette at #23 Iowa State (Week Two)
This was a pretty even game through the first half, with the Cyclones up 14-10 at the break despite their receivers dropping some catchable passes. The Ragin’ Cajuns took their first lead of the game in the third quarter, on a one-play, 78-yard possession. An 83-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter, their second return touchdown of the game, sealed it. This was ULL’s first-ever road win against a ranked opponent.
Our thoughts are with the team, and all the people of Louisiana, as they prepare for a second hurricane in a matter of weeks.
Bad Week for the Sunflower State (Week Two)
It was not the return to football most Kansans were hoping for. Coastal Carolina ran out to a 28-0 lead over the Kansas Jayhawks, eventually winning 38-23. In Manhattan, Kansas State played a back-and-forth game against Arkansas State that ended on a Red Wolves touchdown pass with 38 seconds remaining. The Wildcats would lose 35-31.
The Sun Belt’s record against the vaunted Big XII this past weekend? 3-0.
Georgia Tech at Florida State (Week Two)
The Yellow Jackets overcame two blocked field goals, a blocked PAT, and two interceptions from their true freshman quarterback to beat the Seminoles on the road. According to ESPN.com, the last time Georgia Tech beat a conference opponent on the road to open the season was 1996. (Of course, this is due in part to the fact that teams rarely open with conference games anymore).
The Seminoles, opening with a new coach for the third time in four years, have now lost four straight season-opening games.
Missouri State at Oklahoma (Week Two)
It was all Sooners in this one. New quarterback Spencer Rattler became the first Oklahoma QB to throw four touchdowns in his first start, and he did it in the first half. Rattler was 14 of 17 for 290 yards and the aforementioned four touchdowns before being replaced by Tanner Mordecai. The Sooners finished with 484 yards through the air and 124 on the ground in the 48-0 romp.
Highlight of the Week:
I bet you’ve never seen a punt return touchdown for 0 yards before:
Week Three Schedule Changes (Edited with changes 9/18)
Unfortunately, I think this will have to be a regular part of Midweek Musings this season. All changes due to COVID-19 situation unless otherwise noted. (If you missed it last week, College Football in the Age of Covid, from our Aarik Long, was a great read).
Houston @ Memphis (Friday): Postponed
Virginia @ Virginia Tech: Rescheduled for Dec. 12
BYU @ Army: Postponed
Central Arkansas @ Arkansas State: Postponed
Charlotte @ #12 UNC Cancelled
FAU vs. Georgia Southern: According to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel, this game won’t be played as planned on Saturday. No word yet on whether this is a cancellation or whether they’ll try to play the game at a later date.
Houston vs. Baylor: Postponed
Those are my Midweek Musings for Weeks One and Two. Stay safe and wear a mask, everybody!
