By: Marshall Hampson
With the first week of college football in the books, it's time to see what went right and what went wrong. Check it out.
With the first week of college football in the books, it's time to see what went right and what went wrong. Check it out.
Alabama is every bit as advertised.
Of course, Alabama’s defense was up to par. Three interceptions (including one pick-six) really made Michigan fall behind quickly in the game.
But the Tide’s offense is what stood out as a real threat in the SEC. Freshman running back T.J. Yeldon averaged 10 yards per carry - including a 40-yard run to diminish Michigan’s great defense.
AJ McCarron improved on his deep passes and play-actions compared to last year. Although McCarron went 11-21 passing for the night, his big-play passes were on point.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson didn’t have his best game of his career. Alabama did a good job containing him to 200 yards passing, two interceptions and 27 rushing yards.
Wolverine fans don’t need to panic. He struggled against the top-ranked defense of last year. Robinson will get better as the Big 10 conference games start approaching, but Alabama was one step ahead of Michigan the entire game.
Nick Florence will have no problem following RGIII
Baylor’s offense looked just as good as last season’s with senior quarterback Nick Florence taking the snaps.
Florence was off-the-radar for most college football fans entering the season. When Florence came in last season against Texas Tech (Robert Griffin III was sidelined with an injury), Florence threw for two touchdowns.
After watching Baylor play C-USA’s Southern Methodist University, it was easy to see that head coach Art Briles never changed his offense. Florence threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers - beating SMU, 59-24.
Baylor lost All-American wide receiver Kendall Wright this year to the 2012 NFL Draft, but had plenty of other weapons to help guide this Baylor Bears’ offense. Terrance Williams, Tevin Reese and Lanear Sampson combined for 275 yards and easily used their speed to complete big plays.
When Florence wasn’t throwing, the Bears relied on running back Jarred Salubi to pick up the yards on the ground. Salubi used his speed to grab 91 yards and a touchdown.
After watching a full weekend of college football, Baylor might have the nation’s fastest offense - which should make for some entertaining games in the Big 12.
Oregon’s Mariota will have a brilliant future
Another quarterback replacement was in question entering Week 1 and that was freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota.
It took about a minute and a half for those questions to be answered. Mariota marched the Ducks down the field in the opening drive with passes of 13, 21 and 22 yards.
Mariota really didn’t miss a beat. He barely missed a throw. He went 18 for 22 with three touchdowns in two quarters of play. Granted it was against Arkansas State, but playing against a team like Arkansas State made the freshman quarterback get some quality snaps of real football.
Oregon could have easily put up 75-100 points against Arkansas State if the first team stayed on in the second half, but it seems that Mariota has a bright future wearing green and yellow.
Tennessee is relevant again
Tennessee was once a contender every week in the SEC. The last few years that tradition has failed miserably.
But after a great Week 1 outing, Tennessee is filled with surprising talent. The Volunteers came up with four interceptions and had an balanced offense to knock off North Carolina State, 35-21.
Tennessee has playmakers. Quarterback Tyler Bray and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson helped the Volunteers jump out to an early 22-7 lead in the first quarter.
Bray went 27-41 with 333 yards of passing and two touchdowns. Patterson had six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown as well as a 67-yard rushing touchdown.
Tennessee is in the SEC East with Georgia and Florida. Don’t be surprised if the Volunteers sneak up to win the East.
Penn State needs improvement on the field
After a predictable loss to Ohio University, the Nittany Lions need to find a way to get the offense going in Week 2 against University of Virginia.
Penn State even had the entire stadium full of students and alumni in Happy Valley cheering on the Nittany Lions at the first game since the NCAA penalties that led to an incredibly troubling offseason.
None of the cheering seemed to change the execution on offense.
Ohio capitalized on a lethargic Penn State offense by forcing fumbles and intercepting Matthew McGloin. Penn State had a hard time being effective through the air and had an even harder time running the ball.
Ohio’s defense only allowed 92 yards rushing on the day. On the other side, Penn State had a difficult time converting third downs. The Nittany Lions went 8-16 on third down conversions.
Next week, Penn State faces an even tougher opponent in University of Virginia. Look for Penn State to try and get some rhythm going early with the running game. Being a predictable offense will get a team nowhere in Big 10 play.
Of course, Alabama’s defense was up to par. Three interceptions (including one pick-six) really made Michigan fall behind quickly in the game.
But the Tide’s offense is what stood out as a real threat in the SEC. Freshman running back T.J. Yeldon averaged 10 yards per carry - including a 40-yard run to diminish Michigan’s great defense.
AJ McCarron improved on his deep passes and play-actions compared to last year. Although McCarron went 11-21 passing for the night, his big-play passes were on point.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson didn’t have his best game of his career. Alabama did a good job containing him to 200 yards passing, two interceptions and 27 rushing yards.
Wolverine fans don’t need to panic. He struggled against the top-ranked defense of last year. Robinson will get better as the Big 10 conference games start approaching, but Alabama was one step ahead of Michigan the entire game.
Nick Florence will have no problem following RGIII
Baylor’s offense looked just as good as last season’s with senior quarterback Nick Florence taking the snaps.
Florence was off-the-radar for most college football fans entering the season. When Florence came in last season against Texas Tech (Robert Griffin III was sidelined with an injury), Florence threw for two touchdowns.
After watching Baylor play C-USA’s Southern Methodist University, it was easy to see that head coach Art Briles never changed his offense. Florence threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers - beating SMU, 59-24.
Baylor lost All-American wide receiver Kendall Wright this year to the 2012 NFL Draft, but had plenty of other weapons to help guide this Baylor Bears’ offense. Terrance Williams, Tevin Reese and Lanear Sampson combined for 275 yards and easily used their speed to complete big plays.
When Florence wasn’t throwing, the Bears relied on running back Jarred Salubi to pick up the yards on the ground. Salubi used his speed to grab 91 yards and a touchdown.
After watching a full weekend of college football, Baylor might have the nation’s fastest offense - which should make for some entertaining games in the Big 12.
Oregon’s Mariota will have a brilliant future
Another quarterback replacement was in question entering Week 1 and that was freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota.
It took about a minute and a half for those questions to be answered. Mariota marched the Ducks down the field in the opening drive with passes of 13, 21 and 22 yards.
Mariota really didn’t miss a beat. He barely missed a throw. He went 18 for 22 with three touchdowns in two quarters of play. Granted it was against Arkansas State, but playing against a team like Arkansas State made the freshman quarterback get some quality snaps of real football.
Oregon could have easily put up 75-100 points against Arkansas State if the first team stayed on in the second half, but it seems that Mariota has a bright future wearing green and yellow.
Tennessee is relevant again
Tennessee was once a contender every week in the SEC. The last few years that tradition has failed miserably.
But after a great Week 1 outing, Tennessee is filled with surprising talent. The Volunteers came up with four interceptions and had an balanced offense to knock off North Carolina State, 35-21.
Tennessee has playmakers. Quarterback Tyler Bray and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson helped the Volunteers jump out to an early 22-7 lead in the first quarter.
Bray went 27-41 with 333 yards of passing and two touchdowns. Patterson had six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown as well as a 67-yard rushing touchdown.
Tennessee is in the SEC East with Georgia and Florida. Don’t be surprised if the Volunteers sneak up to win the East.
Penn State needs improvement on the field
After a predictable loss to Ohio University, the Nittany Lions need to find a way to get the offense going in Week 2 against University of Virginia.
Penn State even had the entire stadium full of students and alumni in Happy Valley cheering on the Nittany Lions at the first game since the NCAA penalties that led to an incredibly troubling offseason.
None of the cheering seemed to change the execution on offense.
Ohio capitalized on a lethargic Penn State offense by forcing fumbles and intercepting Matthew McGloin. Penn State had a hard time being effective through the air and had an even harder time running the ball.
Ohio’s defense only allowed 92 yards rushing on the day. On the other side, Penn State had a difficult time converting third downs. The Nittany Lions went 8-16 on third down conversions.
Next week, Penn State faces an even tougher opponent in University of Virginia. Look for Penn State to try and get some rhythm going early with the running game. Being a predictable offense will get a team nowhere in Big 10 play.
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