What a crazy opening weekend! I always enjoy opening weekend being on a holiday weekend, because it means football for a few days straight. We will go over the good, the bad, and the ugly of Week 1, as well as what to look forward to in Week 2.

Week 1 Major Results

#2 Ohio State 21 – #5 Norte Dame 10

This game had alllll the hype going into 2023. Ohio State’s explosive offense vs Norte Dame’s old school offense was the main billing. And for 2 and half quarters, it looked like the old school ways were winning out. Norte Dame was up 10-7 at halftime. But in the 3rd and later in the 4th, Ohio State pulled away to a 21-10 win.

Ohio State lost some amazing fire power in the receiving corp from last year, but it looks like, they will be able to develop the new class. Emeka Egbuka grabbed 9 receptions for 90 yards and a TD. They were able to balance that with a run game that put up 172 yards, plus their running backs picking up some passes out of the back field. CJ Stroud, early Heisman favorite, ended the day with a solid 24/32, for 223 yards, and 2 TDs. This was less explosion and more calculated but it worked.

Norte Dame is replacing leadership and Tyler Buchner did OK but not consistent enough late when they needed it. The running game did not help at much as they only averaged 2.5 yards a carry, which is not going to get it done against an Ohio State. Ohio State’s defense, which had a hard start to the season in 2021, looks much more together to start 2022.

#3 Georgia 49 – #11 Oregon 3

The question for Georgia going into this season was, can their defense replace what they lost last year? The answer early is, yes. This was an absolute woodshed beating. Georgia was better prepared, better in space, and just better. Georgia looked as in rhythm as a first game team as I maybe have ever seen. Usually, even the best teams, have first game issues, but there was little to critique by this team. If they play like this, the rest of the season, they are a playoff team if not a champion again. We will see if the youth they have can keep it up, but it was definitely a good start.

For Oregon, this was painful to watch. The offense moved the ball a bit to start the game, but could not finish drives. Bo Nix started and performed like, well, Bo Nix. He has a bit of that Jimmy G to him, where he has some good but will give you at least 1-2 plays again where you want to pull out your hair. While driving in the 2nd quarter, he made a terrible read and threw right to a Georgia defender, when Oregon could have pulled within a score. That play pretty much sealed the game. Nix ended with 21/37 for 173 yards and 2 picks.

But the offense at least had some moments you could where they could build for the future. The defense was atrocious. It looked like Georgia came in with a clear plan to attack the edges and Oregon had zero answer. It was death by a thousand screen and dump passes. Stetson Bennett looked like a Heisman candidate. He went 25/31 for 368 yards and 2 TDs.

As a defensive minded person, I can take if you just plain get beat because the other guy made a play or is better. But if you are not in the camera frame, most of the game, there is a problem. It seemed about 80 percent of the time on the screens and dump passes, there wasn’t a defender within 5-10 yards of players and if there was, it was like the bad news bears of open field tackling.

Georgia had 310! yards after the catch. That’s 310 of their 450ish yards passing. If Oregon cuts that 310 in half, we have a much closer game.

Oregon learned that they have a long way to go to get to Georgia’s level.

Florida 29 – #7 Utah 26

It was a bad weekend for the Pac 12, as it’s other CFP hopeful, Utah, took a stumble. Utah held the lead going into the 4th quarter, 19-14, but a late push by Florida, sealed the deal. Cameron Rising and the Utes had a chance late to tie, but an untimely INT ended their hopes.

The Utah offense found decent success early with Tavion Thomas running for 115 yards on 23 carries and a TD, but the Florida offense had even greater success on the ground, a total of 283 total rushing yards. The main culprit was Florida QB Anthony Richardson who not only threw for 168 yards but ran for another 106 yards and 3 TDs. Richardson provided the spark the Gator program needs in this new season.

#13 NC State 21 – East Carolina 20

East Carolina gave the Wolfpack all they could handle. Trialing 21-7 at halftime, they gave a late push to close the game late. Then the unthinkable happened. The Pirates were in position to the tie the game with a simple extra point. The kicker missed but there was a flag. He missed a second time and all Pirate fans had to be sick to their stomachs. That being said, the Pirates hung tough with a top 15 team and have a lot to build upon.

NC State was pushed and QB Devin Leary struggled to a 17/33, 211 yard, 1 TD, 1 pick afternoon. The Wolfpack will want more consistency from him going forward, if they want to make an upper bowl game push.

#19 Arkansas 31 – #23 Cincinnati 24

This was a solid game between two teams who are trying to find their identities. Cincinnati had a historical run the last two years in their program. They however, have lost their top players to the draft in the off season. Who would replace Ridder? Ben Bryant put forth a solid first game of the season with 26/43 for 325 yards and 2 TDs, with one pick. He will need to bring leadership all season long.

On the other side KJ Jefferson is trying to build on last season. He put up 18/26, 223 yards and 3 TDs and ran for another 62 yards. The Razorback balanced offense also had Raheim Sanders running for 117 yards on 20 carries. If Arkansas can consistently produce a balanced attack, they might compete late into the SEC race.

Week 2 Major Match Ups

#1 Alabama @ Texas

Every game Alabama plays in, is a big deal, and this is a fun one. On the road to Texas, Nick Saban goes, and we know that Alabama does not go on the road in big games outside of the conference often. Like almost never. As dominate as Alabama has been over the last 15 years or so, they do not like this scenario. Enter Texas. A historically proud program who keeps trying desperately, to get back to their standard.

A win over Alabama would send the Longhorn fan base over the moon. However, this is a tall order. Bryce Young is a Heisman front runner and the talent at Alabama has been almost as consistent as the moon pulling the tide. They keep graduating first round talent and replacing it with future first round talent. We will see who in the running back and receiver corp, steps up to become the next Waddle or Brian Robinson. And on defense, you don’t want to run into future top 5 pick, Will Anderson.

Texas is starting Quinn Ewers, who has had quite the road to Texas. Ewers was one of the most sought after high school quarterbacks in the country in years. He signed with Ohio State, only to transfer when one of his NIL deals wanted a guarantee he would start. That’s not happening with CJ Stroud there so off to Texas Ewers went. What will help the young Ewers against Alabama, is running back Blijan Robinson, who is probably one of the most underrated backs in the country.

Alabama is hoping their welcome is better that what their band would have received had they not pulled out.

#20 Kentucky @ #12 Florida

Florida is flying high after its upset over Utah. They flew up the rankings to #12 and now get to host another top 20 team in Kentucky. A win here for Florida, would mean the Gator buzz, although early, will be also flying. Quarterback Anthony Richardson, will need to continue his success of his first game against a feisty Kentucky Wildcat team.

Will Levis leads his team with 303 yards and 3 TDs after 1 game. However, Kentucky will need to run the ball better against Florida if they want to take this one. They only averaged 1.9 yards a carry against Miami of Ohio. Look for a Richardson vs Levis show in this one.

#10 USC @ Stanford

USC has been feeling themselves this off season after grabbing Head Coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams from Oklahoma. However, anyone who has watched the Pac 12 the last several years, will know that the USC is not one season away from greatness. This will be a journey. Their first step back to conference relevancy is facing them in a Stanford team that historically gives them, and everyone else fits.

It does not matter what year it is, David Shaw will have his team ready to play. Stanford will definitely be a step up from Rice for USC. Quarterback McKee is more than capable and running back EJ Smith is a solid back. Look for Stanford to try to control the trenches and the clock.

#9 Baylor @ #21 BYU

Both of these teams had soft openers so-to-speak with Baylor beating Albany 69-10 and BYU taking care of USF, 50-21. Jaren Hall took over for Zach Wilson last year and is looking to build on a solid first season this year. Shapen is looking to prove himself the leader of an up-and-coming Baylor team. Whichever quarterback, plays more mistake free, will give their team the best chance to succeed.

Expect this game to be high scoring.

Arizona State @ #11 Oklahoma State

Ex Florida QB, Emory Jones, is now the signal caller for ASU. He had a solid but not spectacular opening game against NAU last week and will be looking for the chance to establish himself against the Cowboys. The good news is that the Cowboys defense, gave up 44 points last week to Central Michigan, which is not a good look. Meanwhile Spencer Sanders has been starting at OK State for what feels like a decade. He is experienced and understands the system. Expect a lot of plays through the air.

ASU runs the ball a little more effectively and to have a chance to win on the road, they will need a huge game from running back Valladay as well as to take advantage of a hurting OK State secondary.

Other Game Side Notes

1. Arkansas State @ #3 Ohio State: Buckeyes put up 55
2. Southern Miss @ #15 Miami: This game will be closer than people think.
3. South Carolina @ #16 Arkansas: Ark takes care of business but not a blow out.
4. #23 Wake Forest @ Vanderbilt: Blow out for WF.
5. Charleston Southern @ #18 NC State: Cake walk for NC State.
6. Southern Utah @ #13 Utah: Utah takes it out on their local JV team.
7. Marshall @ #8 Norte Dame: ND gets angry.
8. Furman @ #5 Clemson: Easy game for Clemson but offense needs to show more consistency.
9. Appalachian State @ #6 Texas A&M: App state showed grit last week but not enough here on the road.
10. Washington State @ #19 Wisconsin: Would be a solid win for WSU but not likely.
11. Samfort @ #2 Georgia: Georgia puts up 80.
12. Akron @ #14 Michigan State: Not the smoothest opener for MSU last week. A chance to clean stuff up.
13. #25 Houston @ Texas Tech: Should be a close game that comes down to a FG.
14. Kent State @ #7 Oklahoma: OK by 40
15. Central Arkansas @ #22 Ole Miss: Ole Miss tune up game.
16. Hawaii @ #4 Michigan: Wolverines Wolverine.