Week 1 Summary
WEEK 1 SUMMARY
If you are a fan of chalk weeks, then week one was for you for the most part. Rankings don’t mean too much the first few weeks because they don’t have any substance. You could call Texas A&M beating Arizona State an upset, but both teams could be flipped and no one would argue much. In a week filled with injuries, fresh jerseys, and quality football, we didn’t learn a lot. However, college football has begun and we can’t complain.
PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
Braxton Miller, Ohio State---- It’s scary to think this two time Big Ten Player of the Year found a position he can play better than QB. Braxton reminded the nation that he is still as electric as he was before his shoulder injury last year. Amassing over 140 total yards, two touchdowns and breaking off video game-like moves, Miller adds another weapon to Ohio State’s offense. QB Cardale Jones had a lot of trust in his new target, and unlike most QB-turned-receivers, Braxton flashed his hands often.
Tiquan Lang, Marshall----Marshall’s offense should all personally thank Lang for saving them against Purdue. Then again, maybe the whole team should. The Thundering Herd safety returned to interceptions for touchdowns and 17 tackles in Marshall’s 41-31 win over Purdue to open the season. This will probably be the last time we talk about Lang or Marshall, but for now we can admire an athlete that came to play this week.
Bobby Baker, Georgia State----Two safeties in performers of the week? Imagine how crazy this would be if we were talking about the Heisman Trophy. But for now, it’s just week one. Baker set a standard for the weekend. Even though the Panthers lost to Charlotte (new to FBS this year) 23-20, Baker was not to blame. Two interceptions (tied a school record) and three fumble recoveries (school record) in a loss means, in case anyone didn’t know, Georgia State is in for another long season.
Derrick Henry, Alabama----What might be the most impressive performance against any team this week, Henry rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries against #20 Wisconsin. The hype surrounding him this year was noticeable, and the Alabama running back showed why it was well deserved.
GAME BALL: Lang. Miller and Henry made impacts on the game, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else wouldn’t have made some impact on the game if these two were out. Baker makes a strong case by setting school records, but Lang’s points he put on the board were the difference in the game (won by ten points, Lang had two touchdowns=12 points).
INJURED RESERVE
Injuries are the worst thing about college football. It is heartbreaking to know a young man spent the last eight months working to get to Saturday football, only to have his body give out. A little adversity never hurt anyone, but you never want to see a player get hurt ever. Some injuries are worse than others, but when you are forced to miss significant time during the season, or cut your career short, emotions run high. These players are going through some tough times after opening week.
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU----The Cougars and Hill can’t seem to catch a break. After having two seasons cut short by leg injuries, Hill is done for the year with a foot fracture. His career may have ended after playing three quarters this season. The Cougars can thank him for putting them into position for the Hail Mary against Nebraska, because if he doesn’t play, the game may have ended differently.
Ty Williams, LB, Georgetown----The biggest injury of college football so far. Williams was paralyzed during his game Saturday and is having surgery. Injuries like this are a reminder of how violent football can be and of all the players who have met the same fate. This is an injury no one would ever wish upon another athlete, and we can only hope the best for Ty and his future.
Michael Brewer, QB, Virginia Tech----Brewer’s exit from the Ohio State battle may have been the most impactful injury of the year. Brewer led the Hokies to a 17-14 halftime lead over #1 Ohio State. In a weird twist of karma, Brewer said at halftime, “it’s going to take a lot more than that to take me out of this game” (referring to a big hit he took earlier in the first half). The next quarter, Brewer was writhing in pain on the ground from a hit he took from Adolphus Washington. The game got out of hand quickly with backup Brendan Motley not being able to throw the ball like Brewer did. Brewer is set to have surgery for a broken collarbone and is expected to miss up to a month.
Michael Caputo, S, Wisconsin----Another reminder of how dangerous blows to the head can be. Caputo took a blow to the head, and proceeded to line up with Alabama’s offense. When an Alabama player pointed out Caputo to the referee, he shook it off with a “I’m fine” motion with his hand. The Badger safety stayed out of the game with a concussion and will be reevaluated this week.
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh----First Tyler Boyd gets in trouble, now Conner tears his ACL. Not much more can go wrong for the Panthers, who squeaked out a win against FCS Youngstown State. Conner’s injury puts a big dent into the Pitt running game, but his draft stock as well.
Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona---The most minor injury on this list, but may be the most costly for his team. After a monster year last year, Wright was looking to have another great year. That will be put on hold as he will be having surgery after tearing some cartilage in his knee. Arizona’s defense struggled against UT-San Antonio, and one can only assume the Pac-12 schedule won’t be easy on the Wildcats either.
WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS
My Pick: Alabama 35 Wisconsin 24 Actual: Alabama 35 Wisconsin 17
This proved to be the easiest pick of the week. Alabama took a lead and never appeared to waver with that lead. Wisconsin’s run game struggled in Paul Chryst’s first game back at Wisconsin, and the Badger passing game never opened up any lanes for Corey Clement to run through. Clement spent most of the second half watching due to the number of necessary passes increasing for Joel Stave.
My Pick: Auburn 44 Louisville 28 Actual: Auburn 31 Louisville 24
At one point, Auburn was up 17-0, but it may well have been tied. The Tigers didn’t do anything better than the Cardinals other than put points on the board. Tigers QB Jeremy Johnson did not live up to the Heisman hype that was showered upon him all offseason. Johnson threw three interceptions and never looked settled in the pocket. The Cardinals turnovers and inability to score points early on proved to be too much to overcome.
My Pick: Arizona State 45 Texas A&M 35 Actual: Texas A&M 38 Arizona State 17
The Aggies showed why they deserve to be in the top 25, while the Sun Devils proved they have work to do. Arizona State’s offense never seemed to get in a rhythm, while Kyle Allen proved that more experience makes a difference. Myles Garrett looked unstoppable and put on a showcase for all offensive linemen to have nightmares for weeks to come. This game was close, but the Aggies finally pulled away in the fourth.
My Pick: Minnesota 31 TCU 28 Actual: TCU 23 Minnesota 17
Every coach preaches you can’t turn the ball over. Coaches put into game plans winning the turnover battle. The Gophers were doing well in both categories. Down 10-0 and driving off a TCU turnover, Roderick Williams gashed through the middle inside the five. Williams got his feet taken out from under him, and the defender hit the ball out for the Horned Frogs to recover in their endzone. Touchback. The turnover battle ended up being tied 2-2, but Mitch Leidner looked uncomfortable throwing the football. Leidner appears to have made little or no progress on his accuracy, raising questions for concern in the future. Oh and Treyvon Boykin accumulated 338 yards of offense to lead TCU to a win in Minneapolis. Both teams have work to do to improve, but this game was a quality battle between two well coached teams.
