Official College Football Week 1 thread

[cartman]

The season kicks off this week! There are only a couple of matchups between Top 25 teams:

Georgia at Clemson
LSU vs. TCU at AT&T Cowboys Stadium

There are games from Thursday to Monday. Can't wait to finally see some college football again!

[Logan]

Rutgers opens at Fresno State Thursday night. 10:30pm start for us here, going to be weird getting fired up for a football game that late.

Fresno is something like an 11 point favorite which I thought seemed high. Our defense has a lot to replace from a great unit last year, but there's talent throughout coming up. The secondary is very green though, and coupled with going up against Derek Carr, I guess I see why the line is shaping up like that.

[Vegas Vic]

College Football Week 1 Televised Games (http://mattsarzsports.com/Schedule/Weekly?week=1&sportYear=football2013)

[JonInMiddleGA]

While true Top 25 matchups are slight this week,there's several interesting games (or games that could be interesting)

UNC vs #6 South Carolina is the one that stands out to me, I know nothing odd should happen, but ... that's why they play the games, right?

The other T25 teams that might have interesting games would be
Toledo at #11 Florida
#24 USC at Hawaii
#1 Alabama vs Va Tech
maybe even Boise at Washington and/or Northwestern at Cal.

Close games,even with wins, might change the perceptions of some of those teams.

[Lathum]

Really excited for next Saturdays game. We open the new stadium with a big test against Boise State. The place should be rocking.

[miami_fan]

Ohio State Buckeyes made NFL scouts swap shirts, according to report - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9597074/ohio-state-buckeyes-made-nfl-scouts-swap-shirts-according-report)

Don't wear blue while watching Ohio State practices.

Apparel resembling the colors of rival Michigan are not welcome while coach Urban Meyer has a say, no matter if the offenders are fans, media members, or, reportedly, NFL scouts.

At least two NFL scouts who wore blue while observing Ohio State at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this month were told to change their shirts, according to a report by Fox Sports Ohio.

Staffers informed the scouts of Meyer's rule and some Buckeyes players even yelled at the scouts, according to the report. The school then gave the scouts Ohio State shirts to wear while watching practice.

Other NFL scouts who were not directly involved told Fox Sports Ohio the incident was "embarrassing" and could have been avoided.

"It's just not something that needed to happen," a scout said. "It could have been handled much better, and if that (blue-shirt) rule is going to be enforced, they could let us know."

[dawgfan]

maybe even Boise at Washington and/or Northwestern at Cal.

Close games,even with wins, might change the perceptions of some of those teams.
Boise State opening up the new Husky Stadium should be a pretty compelling game. The Huskies will jump into the top-25 with a win, and it's one of the few times you get back-to-back rematches, as the last game each team played was against each other in last year's Las Vegas Bowl.

Plus you get some awards candidates in action in TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (assuming his broken pinkie allows it and Sark doesn't suspend him), RB Bishop Sankey, WR Kasen Williams, LB Shaq Thompson, DT Danny Shelton and QB Keith Price looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2012 season.

Only down side is that the current weather forecasts call for rain, so the that - combined with it being a night game - mean you might not get a lot of great scenic shots from the stadium.

[Lathum]

Ohio State Buckeyes made NFL scouts swap shirts, according to report - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9597074/ohio-state-buckeyes-made-nfl-scouts-swap-shirts-according-report)

Absurd.

[tarcone]

Iowa hosts Northern Illinois. This is a tough start for Iowa.
Im kind of excited. Im hoping to be real excited after the game.
Iowa has a new QB, Jake Ruddock, who played for one of the best HS programs in the nation.
A rebuilt O Line. This line could be very good.
We added a some speed with JUCO WRs.
3 returning starting LBs.
A D Line that is a year older. But not sure if that will mean much.

I see a record of anywhere between 2-10 to 8-4. It could be that type of season.

[Cuckoo]

Oklahoma with a QB competition for the first time since 2007 and, surprisingly, the redshirt freshman Trevor Knight beat out junior Blake Bell, who has played well in short yardage package the past couple of seasons. Practices were closed, but in the spring game, Bell looked quite easily like the better choice. Word is that Knight runs extremely well and looked great over the past couple of weeks to win the job.

OU hasn't had a mobile QB in years, so I'm excited to see what he can do. In contrast to Landry Jones in '09 and even Sam Bradford in '07, Knight comes in with a lot of experience and talent around him on offense. Defense? Well, that's another matter...

Louisiana-Monroe is the Week 1 opponent, and though I don't know much about them, apparently they beat Arkansas last year and played Baylor pretty close.

[Izulde]

UNLV @ Minnesota on Thursday. I think it's a winnable game because I can't remember the last time the Gophers were actually relevant in football, and it's Bowl or Bust this year for Hauck.

[CU Tiger]

Going to be a crazy weekend in lil ole Clemson, sc

[Matthean]

Ohio State Buckeyes made NFL scouts swap shirts, according to report - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9597074/ohio-state-buckeyes-made-nfl-scouts-swap-shirts-according-report)

So, are blue jeans ok to wear?

I'm interested to see the OLs for 'Bama and Michigan as those are the areas of being the biggest question marks.

[Kodos]

Hopefully IU takes care of Indiana State with ease on Thursday night.

[sterlingice]

It's the only time in the season Kansas will be ranked as high as 3rd in the Big XII as that's where they are alphabetically?

SI

[britrock88]

Pumped for Carolina/Scarolina Thursday night, even as the 11-point dogs, and even as I expect the Heels will wear something garish.

[MacroGuru]

BYU travels to Virginia, I am excited to see what the new offense can do.

[bhlloy]

Kiffin decided because the guy he wanted to win the starters job didn't look the best throughout training camp, he's going with co-starters vs Hawaii. Sigh.

[digamma]

I'm pretty excited to see this Georgia tech team play, but unfortunately the early season is pretty poor for that. Open with Elon, who are the Phoenix but might as well be elon musk running around by himself. Then a weird/horribly timed off week before opening the acc with the fighting cutcliffes of duke.

[Butter]

Going to be a crazy weekend in lil ole Clemson, sc

My wife and I will be there with our 2 boys, as she wants to get in at some crazy early time to town so we can swing by College Gameday and then head off to lunch before the serious tailgating gets underway. Really excited for that atmosphere... I hope the Tigers give the fans reason to get into and STAY into the game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm pretty excited to see this Georgia tech team play, but unfortunately the early season is pretty poor for that. Open with Elon,

I was at the infamous Gardner-Webb game ... I hope they don't take Elon too lightly.

[digamma]

Calvin Booker isn't the 3rd string qb. This is a name your score game.

[Chief Rum]

Kiffin decided because the guy he wanted to win the starters job didn't look the best throughout training camp, he's going with co-starters vs Hawaii. Sigh.

Some thoughts:

1. As a UCLA fan, I delight in any quandary in the USC camp, of course, but...
2. ...I want Kiffin to remain the coach at USC, because as long as he is there, an actually good coach won't be...
3. ...so Kiffin screwing this one up only furthers the likelihood he will be gone after this season and USC will spend Urban Meyer money on a quality replacement.

Oh, and 4. it's completely annoying that the muddled QB situation for a likely at best 8-4, mid-division squad like USC has gotten so much national play.

[Eaglesfan27]

Some thoughts:

1. As a UCLA fan, I delight in any quandary in the USC camp, of course, but...
2. ...I want Kiffin to remain the coach at USC, because as long as he is there, an actually good coach won't be...
3. ...so Kiffin screwing this one up only furthers the likelihood he will be gone after this season and USC will spend Urban Meyer money on a quality replacement.

Oh, and 4. it's completely annoying that the muddled QB situation for a likely at best 8-4, mid-division squad like USC has gotten so much national play.

Quoted for posterity. Even with the muddled QB situation this team is winning 10 games this year barring significant injuries to either Lee or key defensive players.

[britrock88]

You could both be right. A division-winning 8-4 USC team wins the PAC championship and the Rose Bowl to go 10-4. :p

[Chief Rum]

Quoted for posterity. Even with the muddled QB situation this team is winning 10 games this year barring significant injuries to either Lee or key defensive players.

Quote away. USC has a weak schedule, so they could do pretty well, and neither guy Kiffin is deciding between is necessarily a bad QB. But USC has serious depth issues because of the sanctions and they will have to be very fortunate to get through the season without suffering key injuries which will make it difficult for them to keep up even in the Pac 12 South, much less the Pac 12 overall.

And if you're right, well...yippee, Kiffin for another year, lol! I hope they give him lifetime contract.

[Matthean]

You could both be right. A division-winning 8-4 USC team wins the PAC championship and the Rose Bowl to go 10-4. :p

Depends on the other team in said Rose Bowl.

[britrock88]

Depends on the other team in said Rose Bowl.

Oh, don't get me wrong--my immediate family and cousins have graduated from half of the Big Ten schools. I hope you're right.

[Matthean]

I think OSU goes undefeated and thus are in the title game, but Kiffin wants no part of Meyer.

[dawgfan]

Quoted for posterity. Even with the muddled QB situation this team is winning 10 games this year barring significant injuries to either Lee or key defensive players.
They certainly have a lot of talent, but we said that last year when they were being mentioned as possible BCS Title contenders...

[MrBug708]

Quoted for posterity. Even with the muddled QB situation this team is winning 10 games this year barring significant injuries to either Lee or key defensive players.

Even Karl Dorrell won 10 games at UCLA one year, so Kif winning 10 games this year is certainly plausible.

[CU Tiger]

My wife and I will be there with our 2 boys, as she wants to get in at some crazy early time to town so we can swing by College Gameday and then head off to lunch before the serious tailgating gets underway. Really excited for that atmosphere... I hope the Tigers give the fans reason to get into and STAY into the game.

I'll be set up by 8 am which means leaving home by 5:30..

If you make it near the Esso...I'll be in valley walk right behind there.

Hit me up if interested in some gate passes.

[Butter]

I sent you a PM. We're going to have like 8-10 hours to wander around, so I imagine we'll make it over near there at some point.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'll be set up by 8 am which means leaving home by 5:30.. If you make it near the Esso...I'll be in valley walk right behind there.
Hit me up if interested in some gate passes.

Dear Tigers,
Please take care of business Saturday, m'kay?

Thx.

Bye.

[digamma]

+1

[Chief Rum]

I was thinking about the USC QB situation again and how the prevailing thought is that Kiffin wants to play Wittek against Hawaii to keep him in the program.

If I am Wittek, and I believe I have a potential NFL future, no way would I step on the field against Hawaii unless I am told in no uncertain terms I am the starter, and then I actually take that first snap.

[dawgfan]

I was thinking about the USC QB situation again and how the prevailing thought is that Kiffin wants to play Wittek against Hawaii to keep him in the program.

If I am Wittek, and I believe I have a potential NFL future, no way would I step on the field against Hawaii unless I am told in no uncertain terms I am the starter, and then I actually take that first snap.
Disagree. He's a RS-So, so if he wanted to go to another FBS program he'd only have his Sr. year to showcase himself (assuming he even wins the starting job). Better to just stick it out at USC, keep battling for the starting job there and know that Kiffin is on thin ice and there's a good chance he'll get another opportunity to prove himself in front of a new coaching staff within the next year or two.

[Chief Rum]

Disagree. He's a RS-So, so if he wanted to go to another FBS program he'd only have his Sr. year to showcase himself (assuming he even wins the starting job). Better to just stick it out at USC, keep battling for the starting job there and know that Kiffin is on thin ice and there's a good chance he'll get another opportunity to prove himself in front of a new coaching staff within the next year or two.

He's a RS-SO who hasn't stepped on the field this year yet. So his sophomore year would be his transfer year--if he doesn't step on the field against Hawaii and transfers to a late starting Division 1 school.

My point is based on the presumption Kiffin wants to get him on the field for a snap to keep him in the program when he doesn't intend for Wittek to be the starter. That wouldn't be in Wittek's best interest.

[duckman]

Manziel is suspended for, get this, one half against Rice by the NCAA.

[Chief Rum]

Manziel is suspended for, get this, one half against Rice by the NCAA.

That's not an official suspension, right? Just their recommendation to A&M?

I presume A&M will go ahead and do it. They will beat Rice no matter who they have under center. They might even hold him out the whole game just to be safe.

[SirFozzie]

The deal is between NCAA and A&M officially apparently:

Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M Aggies suspended for 1st half of season opener against Rice Owls - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9609389/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-suspended-1st-half-season-opener-rice-owls)

The article says that this "closes the book on this issue"

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am fine with this suspension. It's a stupid rule in the first place.

Play on, Johnny "Fucking" Football! Play on!

[Matthean]

Even if it increases the odds of A&M beating 'Bama, I want 'Bama to beat them with him playing.

[HomerSimpson98]

Taking the Heels and 13 points tomorrow night is getting awfully tempting.

[britrock88]

Up to 13? Wow. Let's shock the world twice--bad unis AND a big upset!

[Marmel]

I just wanted to complain that I live 5 driving minutes from a stadium where D1 football is played, the tailgating is actually fantastic if you can believe it (seriously, they do it really well here), and the ticket prices are as low as $5 for tonight's game (and most games every season). Why am I complaining? It is UConn, and I hate them. I can't tailgate with UConn fans and I'm not paying even $1 to watch them play Towson tonight. On top of that, it muffs up all the traffic on my way home for these Thursday night games, of which the AAC plays plenty. :(

Edited to add: They do host Michigan later this season. I can buy a Michigan tshirt and party with some of their fans, right???

[Honolulu_Blue]

Edited to add: They do host Michigan later this season. I can buy a Michigan tshirt and party with some of their fans, right???

Of course! My people are a welcoming people.

[Bobble]

The deal is between NCAA and A&M officially apparently:

Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M Aggies suspended for 1st half of season opener against Rice Owls - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9609389/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-suspended-1st-half-season-opener-rice-owls)

The article says that this "closes the book on this issue"

Is it true that Johnny will be signing autographs for that first half? I've got the money.

[Izulde]

Fire Bobby Hauck's sorry ass. I wanted him gone at the end of last year.

[Eaglesfan27]

Turns out Kessler gets the start and the first half is his.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Great comeback by Vandy. Looked dead in the first quarter and then exploded.

[cuervo72]

LOLUCONN

[Marmel]

LOLUCONN

I should have went to this game for the laughs. Probably would have gotten my ass kicked trolling the Husky fans though. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[General Mike]

CARROOOOOOOOOOO!

[MrBug708]

Kiff is a horrible QB coach and playcaller

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Holy sh%$! What a game! There's a lot of Vandy fans in the parking lot right now wondering what all the noise is about. There's a reason you never leave early.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dola HOLY SH%$!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! And still 1:08 to go!!!!

Helluva win for Old Miss on the road.

[Suicane75]

That was a supremely awesome game. Big plays, comebacks, dudes hurling all over the field.

[General Mike]

That was a tough loss to take, but no guts no glory. Got 2 tune up games now before Arkansas comes to town.

[Kodos]

The good news: IU came close to breaking their all-time scoring record (and chose not to score late to do so); The bad news: our defense still needs a lot of work.

[Lathum]

The good news: IU came close to breaking their all-time scoring record (and chose not to score late to do so); The bad news: our defense still needs a lot of work.

Can we now be done with the bitching about the Wisconsin game?

[Kodos]

You'll notice we took a knee 4 times on their 5 to avoid scoring 80. And Bielema is still a dick.

[Lathum]

You'll notice we took a knee 4 times on their 5 to avoid scoring 80. And Bielema is still a dick.

ok, so 80 is the magic number?

I have no dog in this fight, just seems a tad bit hypocritical to get fired up when a team puts up 80 on you, then celebrate when you put up 73 on someone else.

[Kodos]

You'll point me to where I was celebrating, please. I pointed out that the offense did well, and that the defense needs work. I wasn't thumping my chest. It was a team we should have beat handily, and we did. We also played 4 different QBs, 9 or 10 RBs. There was no attempt to run it up.

[lungs]

Will you still get mad when Gary Andersen puts up 80 on Indiana? :)

[Kodos]

If he is way down his depth chart and we still can't stop him, and he takes a knee at the end rather than scoring 80, then I will be mad at our defense. Tell me Bielema wouldn't have run it in again if he was in the same position as us last night against ISU.

[lungs]

I'm not one to defend Bielema. Even before he left I thought he was a jackass. But running up the scores was pretty low on the list of things that made me dislike him.

[panerd]

Will you still get mad when Gary Andersen puts up 80 on Indiana? :)

Or Gary Pinkel. :)

[Kodos]

Or Gary Pinkel. :)

We shall see. I'll be at that game in person. Go Hoosiers! :)

[panerd]

We shall see. I'll be at that game in person. Go Hoosiers! :)

Me and my brother are considering driving down. We make one road game a year and this year it is either Indiana, Ole Miss, or Vandy. It really comes down to the schedule more than the game because unfortuantely I think the Grove and downtown Nashville may have Bloomington beat. :) (No offense Columbia, MO probably isn't #1 on anyone's list either) Any of the three will be fun and I may ask for some bar/hotel advice if we decide to hit the IU game.

[Logan]

I can't believe I stayed up until 3:05am watching my NJ-based team play a game.

[britrock88]

dudes hurling all over the field

Wait, what?

[Suicane75]

Vandy wide receiver got nailed going over the middle, got up holding his ribs, motioned to be subbed out but the play ran anyway. After the play he dropped to a knee and trainers ran out, he proceeded to hurl rather copiously at least two times on national tv. He was fine though.

[Chief Rum]

He was fine though.

Oh, I am sure. That's perfectly normal.

[britrock88]

Vandy wide receiver got nailed going over the middle, got up holding his ribs, motioned to be subbed out but the play ran anyway. After the play he dropped to a knee and trainers ran out, he proceeded to hurl rather copiously at least two times on national tv. He was fine though.

Bizarre. SBNation has a pretty good summary of the events (the catch and hit, the... incapacitation, the return and catch after becoming ill)... complete with GIFs.

[britrock88]

Oh, I am sure. That's perfectly normal.

Oh, and on this note, looks like he was shouldered in the stomach, shortly after returning from getting an IV and lots of fluids to treat cramps.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Oh, and on this note, looks like he was shouldered in the stomach, shortly after returning from getting an IV and lots of fluids to treat cramps.

Yeah, as much as the announcers played up a concussion, looked like he was dehydrated from the extreme heat and the shot to the stomach was the final trigger.

[digamma]

Helluva win for Old Miss on the road.

A sign that the Vanderbilt football program has arrived?

[CU Tiger]

Dear Tigers,
Please take care of business Saturday, m'kay?

Thx.

Bye.

You know. In my entire life I ahve never had an opening game where I had less clue what to expect.

Clemson returns a ton of stars on an explosive O but lost arguably 3 of its most clutch players.

UGA returns plenty of O talent as well, but must replace their entire starting O line.

Clemson returns the entire front 7 (minus partial starter Goodman who was never spectacular) but while theyve shown flashes they've never wow'ed and they must replace the entire back 4/5...but they all sucked so may addition by subtraction.

UGA return little on D but all the freshman are very talented.

To me it comes down to these factors. Can Brent Venables dial up a D to keep GurShall from running for 300 yards OR Chad Morris exploit the young UGA secondary before they grow up in front of our eyes.

If Clemson scores early and often as they can, it may take the stud Rbs out of the game.

The ACC needs a Clemson win, because the scene in Atlanta tomorrow night is going to be NC-17 rated. I told a good friend earlier today I wouldnt take VT and 50...I really think Saban may try to prove a point.

[B & B]

You are off on several points here CU Tiger.

UGA isn't replacing their O line, its the opposite. They have over 100 combined career starts. Generally considered a top 10 line nationally.
The key will be the RBs vs Clemson and how many they stack in the box.

As for the VT game, Bama will win comfortably, but don't expect Saban to show too much with a Manziel A+M team on deck. Saban loves him some revenge.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The key will be the RBs vs Clemson and how many they stack in the box.

Many Georgia fans would likely point out that the key before that is the play-calling, and whether Bobo/Richt can manage to stick to the run no matter how well it might be working.

[CU Tiger]

You are off on several points here CU Tiger.

UGA isn't replacing their O line, its the opposite. They have over 100 combined career starts. Generally considered a top 10 line nationally.
The key will be the RBs vs Clemson and how many they stack in the box.

As for the VT game, Bama will win comfortably, but don't expect Saban to show too much with a Manziel A+M team on deck. Saban loves him some revenge.

Hrmm I would have swore they lost Ol starters... but I see your right. So both teams return vet o lines.

Interesting.

Clemson will put 7 in the box 4 and 3 with a true SAM....who comes out for the Nickel packages.

They wont put an 8th man in as they are too thin in the secondary. If they blitz it will be from the LB positions.

Venables, regardless of what many fans think of it, is very very vanilla. He will bring pressure but hes not getting cute. Even if you beat him all game long.

[Matthean]

MSU is tied with Western Michigan just before the half. The game is delayed due to storms. Still, the whispers of an offense not doing anything seem to be ringing true.

EDIT: MSU scored another TD but their first one was a defensive one.

[tarcone]

As much as Im dreading this season and looking forward to basketball. Im still anxious. I cant wait until this game to see what Iowa will do.

Go Hawks!

[Vegas Vic]

Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is getting antsy with FCS North Dakota State hanging close in the 3rd quarter. He's considering replacing them with Topeka Highland Park High School in 2014.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is getting antsy with FCS North Dakota State hanging close in the 3rd quarter. He's considering replacing them with Topeka Highland Park High School in 2014.

To be fair, NDSU is not your average FCS team. They won the FCS national championship in 2011 and 2012. They've got some legitimate talent.

[Vegas Vic]

To be fair, NDSU is not your average FCS team. They won the FCS national championship in 2011 and 2012. They've got some legitimate talent.

Yeah, I know, but I was more or less making fun of Bill Snyder's scheduling policy.

[tarcone]

what channel is KSu on?

[Vegas Vic]

what channel is KSu on?

Fox Sports 1. 219 on Directv, but I don't know the various other cable or satellite listings.

[cartman]

NDSU gets their 4th consecutive win over an FBS team.

[britrock88]

Some cool cucumbers on that last drive. Something like 18 plays over 8:30.

[Matthean]

So MSU beats WMU 26-13 with the defense giving them two scores.

[PilotMan]

NDSU gets their 4th consecutive win over an FBS team.

FUCK YEAH!

[digamma]

My 3 year old is in his GT jersey ready to go. Explaining graduation (or expiration of eligibility of players) is proving difficult.

Why number 17 changed, Daddy? He graduated.

Why? You only get four seasons to play for Georgia Tech.

Why you only get four seasons?

And so it goes.

[MizzouRah]

Heading down to Columbia, MIZ baby!!!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Heading down to Columbia, MIZ baby!!!

I don't envy you. We've got a wedding at the winery, so I can't make it anyway, but it's going to be HOT! Hope it cools down a bit for a game later in the year so I can sneak down there with my kids.

Really excited to see the team. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong last year. Mizzou will probably surprise a lot of people this year just because most don't realize how many injury issues we had last year that lead to only five wins.

I think most will want to see DGB get a lot more looks (I saw where someone on one of the boards said that he's the primary read in 70% of our offensive plays this year).

Also, great to have Henry Josey back. He would have been an All-American two years ago if he hadn't blown out his knee. Most reports are that the year of recovery has allowed him to get his speed and mobility back.

[tarcone]

What games are you watching today?
Im starting off with UMass/Wisky, then Iowa/NIU, then Bama/VPI, then LSU/TCU, then BSU/UW.

There are some good ones on during the evening games. So I will flip around. Been waiting for this day all Summer.

[Lathum]

Ill be at a BBQ at my wife's uncles. Hope he has a tv.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well even GT couldn't screw this one up apparently. 28-0 over Elon after one quarter.

edit to add: Make that 35-0 thirteen seconds into Q2
double edit: Make that 42-0 after a 95 yd pick six

[Matthean]

It won't last, but Rice is up 7-0 on A&M.

[bob]

Yesterday I described GTs opponent as Sister Mary's School for the deaf and blind. I was wrong. Sister Mary's would beat Elon.

[MrBug708]

It won't last, but Rice is up 7-0 on A&M.

Can't wait to hear about how Johnny Football leads TAMU in a comeback win

[Matthean]

They also suspended a number of players for a magical amount of two games.

[dawgfan]

Coug fans representing in Auburn:

http://www.cougcenter.com/2013/8/30/4678272/wsu-coug-cougs-fans-auburn-football-bar-runs-out-of-beer

[dawgfan]

So Buffalo is making Ohio State work, and William & Mary is leading West Virginia. Gotta love college football...

[BillJasper]

Purdue's offense looks terrible.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The little things are a big part of what makes college football so interesting for me. Case in point, NC State's 3rd string freshman QB gets a couple of carries late in the 2nd quarter against La Tech.

He's a kid who transferred out of my son's school for a much better (and deserved) opportunity at another program nearby, eventually leading them to a state championship last year. Last night had his only loss last season was avenged by his kid brother against their bitter archrival, today he debuts in college with a couple of good carries. I can only imagine what his family feels like today.

That'll probably be my personal highlight of the whole sports weekend.

[Matthean]

Freshman Dymonte Thomas blocks a punt, and Michigan returns it for a TD.

[tarcone]

Fumble Iowa around midfield.

[Matthean]

This Michigan offense looks a lot like the Denard version. Gardner 1-4 with an INT and 3 runs for 35 yards and a TD.

[tarcone]

Looking like its going to a long season in Iowa City.

[MacroGuru]

Sigh...Weather delay....Lightning and no rain anywhere to be found.

[chadritt]

Manziel is apparently the anti-tebow as far as ESPN is concerned. Theyve been laying into him for 10 - 15 minutes now.

[BishopMVP]

I love Manziel... gets up after the first big hit against him and pretending to sign an autograph for the defender.

Just saw my first (possible) ejection for targeting against an A&M DB. Sumlin is challenging it, and I agree it shouldn't have been an ejection.

I still don't like Tommy Rees that much, but ND's WR's look great. They'll put up points this year.

[tarcone]

The turf is 163 degrees in Iowa City.

Kirksey from Iowa gets the big hit, cause a fumble picks up the ball and runs about 40 yards for a TD.
10-7, Iowa behind.

NIUs QB is awesome. He runs and throws really well.

[PurdueBrad]

Purdue's offense looks terrible.

This was a huge let down as I was very optimistic for how Hazell would have the Boilermakers playing. The team just seemed undisciplined (a number of dumb penalties), unprepared (lots of miscommunication and several broken plays), and truly outmatched. Quite disappointing.

I'm not saying that the Bearcats aren't good but we didn't show the discipline, understanding, or even a system that could keep us in that game.

Could be a very, very long year.

[Wolfpack]

The little things are a big part of what makes college football so interesting for me. Case in point, NC State's 3rd string freshman QB gets a couple of carries late in the 2nd quarter against La Tech.

He's a kid who transferred out of my son's school for a much better (and deserved) opportunity at another program nearby, eventually leading them to a state championship last year. Last night had his only loss last season was avenged by his kid brother against their bitter archrival, today he debuts in college with a couple of good carries. I can only imagine what his family feels like today.

That'll probably be my personal highlight of the whole sports weekend.

Nice. Now if only he can figure out the "pass" part of being a quarterback. Not sure if he had explicit instructions from Doeren and Canada to not ever throw the ball, but Louisiana Tech ultimately gave up any pretense of expecting pass when he was on the field and was killing him as a result. He did get a couple of nice runs at the end in garbage time, but he's going to need to throw to survive. He's now second in line since it looks like Brandon Mitchell is out for several weeks.

That's unfortunate because State scored 14 of their 40 points in those first five minutes and seemed to sputter with Thomas (who isn't a spread option QB) at the controls much of the rest of the game. At least the next game is Richmond so hopefully Thomas will get himself sorted out before the difficulty starts ramping up.

The defense also looks worrisome. The score was lopsided only because LaTech gave the ball away four times, twice inside of State's 20. Otherwise they were a match statistically.

[Matthean]

Gardner has settled down to go 4-5 since going 1-4 and Michigan is up 21-3. The last drive had four penalties, and they still scored.

[Matthean]

Or Gardner has thrown his second ugly INT of the first half. This wasn't exactly expected.

[tarcone]

Feeling better. But Iowa is slow on defense. And we dont blitz. So no pressure. And the QB waits for his faster guys to get open.
17-17. Iowa moving. 3rd and 4 at NIUs 22 with 1:45 left. TO.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Crazy finish to the first half between OSU and Miss. St. Bulldogs nearly took the lead on a blocked OSU FG attempt. MSU player was tackled around 10 yards short of the end zone.

[tarcone]

I forgot to mention. Iowa has been running the no huddle offense, exclusively.

And we just had a QB RUN for a TD. 24-17 Iowa.

[Matthean]

Michigan up 35-6 before the half. Despite Gardner still not settled in behind center, CMU can't do anything, and Michigan is running it down their throats. Gardner is the leading rusher, but it isn't so lopsided. So it is better, but still not there. Next week will tell a lot more.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Arkansas can't do anything right. Report that one of the T-Shirt cannons blew up, injuring a person and sending them to the hospital.

[tarcone]

OK. Im felling a little frisky about the Hawks. At least the offense. Our OL has been outstanding. Our RS sophomore QB Jake Ruddock has been outstanding.
We have rolled up 302 yards of offense. IN A HALF!. Iowa averaged 310 yards of offense last season. We scored 24 points in the 2nd quarter. Last season we averaged about 20 points a game.

Now if we had faster dudes on defense.

[GrantDawg]

Oh, brother. How can a Beamer lead team be that bad at special teams? This game is going to be a worse blow-out than expected.

[tarcone]

Will anyone get within 24 of Alabama this season?

[GrantDawg]

Will anyone get within 24 of Alabama this season?


Yes. There will at least be two scares, and probably one close loss. Who? We'll see. But I expect it to happen.

[tarcone]

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

College football is my favorite spectator sport.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, I've been generally supportive of Manzeil through the off-season coverage. However, there are limits to what you can do before I call you dumb. I believe he's reached those limits.



Johnny Manziel penalized after gesturing to opponents - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9620691/johnny-manziel-penalized-gesturing-opponents)

[quote]Manziel was talking to two Rice defenders and then pointed to the scoreboard when officials threw the flag.

That play proved to be his last of the game. Matt Joeckel replaced Manziel on A&M's final drive.

"That wasn't very smart and that's why he didn't go back in the game," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin told ESPN after the game.

Earlier, Manziel walked down the field while rubbing his thumb and forefingers together, a gesture that usually means "money." He also gestured that way to opponents last season.

Then, after a short run, Manziel got to his feet while jawing with a Rice defender and mimed signing an autograph while shaking his head.

[Matthean]

Will anyone get within 24 of Alabama this season?

A&M, LSU, SEC Title game, National Title game depending on who it is and those are off the top of my head. Also note, 'Bama hasn't done much offensively in this game yet either.

This is likely the first year under Hoke where you can see the depth on both sides. Derrick Green is the #3 RB, and he finally got in. 6 carries for 42 yards and a TD.

[GrantDawg]

I loved the face of the bama fan after that big play. It was like I never seen that happen before.

[Matthean]

Shane Morris is in at QB for Michigan. 3-4 for 47 yards and Michigan gets the TD. 56-6.

[GrantDawg]

Bama online not very impressive so far. I think it will come together, but early that might be trouble.

[tarcone]

Survived a 42 yard fake punt play and held NIU to a FG. 24-20.

[Matthean]

Bama online not very impressive so far. I think it will come together, but early that might be trouble.

OL is really the only issue I would have with this team. If they can get past A&M, they have a fairly light schedule.

[tarcone]

Where is VPI/Bama being played?

[GrantDawg]

OL is really the only issue I would have with this team. If they can get past A&M, they have a fairly light schedule.


They do have it pretty easy. The games I'd circle (other than Texas A&M, which I actually don't think will be a close game) is Ole Miss and LSU. Arkansas has an outside shot of being a decent game. I think Ole Miss might be the over-look game that becomes the most trouble.

[Matthean]

Where is VPI/Bama being played?

Georgia Dome.

[BishopMVP]

ND with a fairly easy win on the scoreboard, but a lot of that was helped by good red zone defense. WR's look great, and most of Rees's yards were either underthrown balls won by them or YAC helped by some poor tackling by Temple's safeties.

DE/OLB's have lost contain multiple times, and that could be a huge problem next weekend with a more mobile QB in Gardner. FG's and punts have also been a complete mess.

[GrantDawg]

Bama playing Beamer ball. How far has VT fallen?

[dawgfan]

Okay, I've been generally supportive of Manzeil through the off-season coverage. However, there are limits to what you can do before I call you dumb. I believe he's reached those limits.
He's making it real easy to root against him.

[GrantDawg]

He's making it real easy to root against him.


It's ok. Bama is going to put him into a coma for the rest of the season.

[dawgfan]

BTW, if anyone wants to see a textbook example of why the new targeting/ejection rule is in place, check the .gif below:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3135489/oregonhit_medium.gif

[tarcone]

Iowa loses on a late pick that was returned to our 30. Late FG woth 10 seconds left.
Going to be a long season. At least we have Mo St. next week.

[Julio Riddols]

BTW, if anyone wants to see a textbook example of why the new targeting/ejection rule is in place, check the .gif below:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3135489/oregonhit_medium.gif

Is it because he led with his head? I feel like it would be damn near impossible for him to have been on his feet when the QB started sliding.

[Matthean]

Bama playing Beamer ball. How far has VT fallen?

I think he's in cruise control at this point of his career. Exhibit Logan Thomas being their starting QB while being 3-18 with an INT and 3 carries for 5 yards. You honestly don't have a backup that can't beat that?

[dzilla77]

I think he's in cruise control at this point of his career. Exhibit Logan Thomas being their starting QB while being 3-18 with an INT and 3 carries for 5 yards. You honestly don't have a backup that can't beat that?

Actually, no. The back up, Leal wouldn't fare any better due to the fact that the receivers can't get open.

The problem with special teams is we are so thin in other areas that Beamer is playing a lot of freshman/sophmores and they aren't quite ready.

[mauchow]

The Clemson entrance onto the field was one of the worst displays I've ever seen. Both teams were a disgrace with it.

[JPhillips]

Okay, I've been generally supportive of Manzeil through the off-season coverage. However, there are limits to what you can do before I call you dumb. I believe he's reached those limits.



Johnny Manziel penalized after gesturing to opponents - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9620691/johnny-manziel-penalized-gesturing-opponents)

[quote]Manziel was talking to two Rice defenders and then pointed to the scoreboard when officials threw the flag.

That play proved to be his last of the game. Matt Joeckel replaced Manziel on A&M's final drive.

"That wasn't very smart and that's why he didn't go back in the game," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin told ESPN after the game.

Earlier, Manziel walked down the field while rubbing his thumb and forefingers together, a gesture that usually means "money." He also gestured that way to opponents last season.

Then, after a short run, Manziel got to his feet while jawing with a Rice defender and mimed signing an autograph while shaking his head.

He seems to be running away with the title for least likeable college football player.

[tarcone]

The Clemson entrance onto the field was one of the worst displays I've ever seen. Both teams were a disgrace with it.

According to Brent Musberger, its the most exciting 25 seconds in college football. He even said that in 1985.

Derp.

[Julio Riddols]

Manziel looks and acts like a modern day Ty Cobb.

[bob]

I don't get scheduling sometimes. GT opens with Elon, followed by an open week already.

[bob]

ACC needs Clemson to win here. Haven't look so good vs the SEC so far.

[Matthean]

Actually, no. The back up, Leal wouldn't fare any better due to the fact that the receivers can't get open.

The problem with special teams is we are so thin in other areas that Beamer is playing a lot of freshman/sophmores and they aren't quite ready.

Guess part of it is I'm pretty sure I've seen this type of no show in terms of offense from VT before. Of course, one of those times might have been with 'Bama involved as well. :) It just seems like people talk about VT, but they never really do anything.

[britrock88]

BTW, if anyone wants to see a textbook example of why the new targeting/ejection rule is in place, check the .gif below:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3135489/oregonhit_medium.gif

I'm guessing nothing happened here, because Oregon-Nicholls State.

[Easy Mac]

So Furman lost another game in which they led at the half. I'm fairly certain that they led at the half in 7 of their 8 losses last year. That's just poor coaching.

[BishopMVP]

Both teams flying around out there in Clemson. Georgia's timing on handoffs seems a little delayed.

USF needs to re-evalute their scheduling. Down 40-14 to an FCS team (McNeese State). Oregon State also in a dogfight with Eastern Washington - up 46-43, but EWU 1st and goal with a minute and a half left. Wyoming also hanging around with Nebraska at halftime.

[tarcone]

Sounds like Iowa. EDIT: in regards to Furman

I forgot how much I dislike Brent Musberger.

[SirFozzie]

Eastern Washington scores in the final 20 seconds, and are about to upset #25 Oregon State.

[Easy Mac]

Sounds like Iowa. EDIT: in regards to Furman

I forgot how much I dislike Brent Musberger.

Furman out scored opponents 169-132 in the first half last year, and were out scored 184-83 in the second. They were up 14-7 today and were out scored 21-7.

[SirFozzie]

Oh wow, Oregon State marches to the EWU 34 yard line with 9 seconds left...

[MacroGuru]

BYU played like shit for most of the game. Then when we get the lead with 2 minutes 30 seconds left and it's 3rd and 8, your defense is playing well, you pass it..right...

Yeah, dumb ass play call..you pound it...punt it and let the defense do what they have been doing all game long. Instead, you throw an interception, give up the go ahead score and lose....

Sigh...

[SirFozzie]

NO GOOD from 52, EWU will pull off the upset.

edit: Before this, all EWU were known for is their red football field (yes, like the Smurf Turf in Boise, they have a RED football field)

http://web.ewu.edu/groups/athletics/facilities/RoosSkyShot.jpg

[tarcone]

Iowa plays not to lose. Not to win. I am really down on Ferentz. Too bad his buyout is outrageous.

[BishopMVP]

NO GOOD from 52, EWU will pull off the upset.Heck of a game for the EWU QB. 23-30 411 4 TD's in the air, 16-107 2 TD's on the ground.

[Matthean]

I'm surprised Oregon State went on the road for that caliber of a team to start the season.

[tarcone]

There is a postgame radio show after IUowa games called Soundoff. It is good stuff. I enjoy listening. Its like FOFC live. :)

[cuervo72]

I'm surprised Oregon State went on the road for that caliber of a team to start the season.

It was in Corvallis, the pic above is just there to serve to confuse us. :)

[SirFozzie]

I was just showing the Red Turf, which was the only thing they were famous for before..

BTW, the McNeese State Game? It's reported that South Florida paid McNeese State $400,000 (yup, a guarantee game gone bad.. it'll probably be the last one they get for a while ;))

Edit: I've just learned that South Florida is demanding the game not count, due to false advertising, as there is no such state as McNeese in the US, so obviously "McNeese State" is a fraud on the american people ;)

[mauchow]

According to Brent Musberger, its the most exciting 25 seconds in college football. He even said that in 1985.

Derp.

I just hate teams barking and mouthing off at each other before a game even starts so its obviously just me. When I played semi pro our team was on the road against a team from Milwaukee. As we ran onto the field the team greeted us with taunts. Both teams were 5-0 and they were talking smack all week long about how they were going to whomp us.

We pounded them 49-7...

I just hate jawing. I hate celebrations after a 2 yard receptions. I hate staredowns by a defender after a tackle (that resulted in a first down for the offense...).

[BishopMVP]

These TCU uniforms are pretty nice. I could see HS recruits loving them.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You gotta think South Carolina & LSU are watching this UGA line with their mouth's watering.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The EWU QB running into the stands to hug what I presume was his mom ... that's what makes Saturdays >>> Sundays

[tarcone]

Im listening to "Soundoff". A radio program ater Iowa games.
The moderators are complaining that Iowa should have ran the ball on 3rd and 1 in the 3rd quarter. at midfield instead of going for a long pass. Their atguement is that we have a RB that averaged 5 yards a carry.
Now, This is the same show (Different moderators), that had callers complaining relentlessy (sp?) about conservative play calling.
So, Iowa normally would run on 3rd ad 1. But we went with a long pass. Something we rarely do. YAY! Im all about that.
But no. Complaints about that play call. Please. Go for it on 4th and 1 then. If you have a RB averaging 5 yards a carry, they should be able to get the 1st on 4th down. But we punted.

[Lathum]

How did that official even think he was oob on that Clemson TD

[JonInMiddleGA]

Enormous correct call via replay gives Clemson a 10 point lead with just under 8 mins to go.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How did that official even think he was oob on that Clemson TD

"The eye sees what it expects to see" is the only way I could explain that one.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wyoming giving Nebraska hell, comes up short 37-34

[mckerney]

Announcers in Georgia - Clemson game were talking about what a smart play on the punt return when the Clemson player made picking up the ball in the endzone and running it out after it touched his teammate, but wouldn't that have just been a touchback if he'd downed it?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Unfuckingbelievable how often Clemson turns into Clemson

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thank you Tigers, just thank you.

[JonInMiddleGA]

No matter how happy I am, I will once again repeat my criticism for ANY school irresponsible enough to allow a scene like the one at the end of the game. It's disgraceful, it's dangerous, and it's simply inexcusable.

[Matthean]

I read an article during the off season talking to ACC coaches about the ACC and SEC and how badly they wanted to get over and haven't been able to. This is a huge win for the ACC as well as Clemson.

[Vegas Vic]

Let's take the remaining marquee games off of the table: Florida State and South Carolina.

Which one of these games will Clemson lay an egg?

1. at North Carolina State
2. at Syracuse
3. at Maryland
4. Georgia Tech

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wow, TCU punts on 4th & 2, down 10 with 5 to play

Looked an awful lot like they just quit, at least the guys with the headsets.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Let's take the remaining marquee games off of the table: Florida State and South Carolina.

Which one of these games will Clemson lay an egg?

1. at North Carolina State
2. at Syracuse
3. at Maryland
4. Georgia Tech

I'd figure Syracuse on the road or against GT.

[BishopMVP]

Wow, TCU punts on 4th & 2, down 10 with 5 to play

Looked an awful lot like they just quit, at least the guys with the headsets.+1... and I know Boykin was banged up on 3rd down, but you've been using 2 QB's all game.

UW taking Boise State to the woodshed. 31-6 in the 4th quarter.

Cal also making a comeback against Northwestern.

[dawgfan]

Is it because he led with his head? I feel like it would be damn near impossible for him to have been on his feet when the QB started sliding.
Yes because he led with his head. He drops his head so that the crown of his helmet is the thing he's aiming with. That's exactly what this ejection rule is supposed to discourage.

[dawgfan]

edit: Before this, all EWU were known for is their red football field (yes, like the Smurf Turf in Boise, they have a RED football field)
You don't think they were known for their National Championship in 2011?

[dawgfan]

Hell of a stadium re-opener for the Huskies, beating Boise State soundly and delivering Chris Petersen (by far) his worst loss. His previous worst loss? Also against the Huskies in Husky Stadium.

[Lathum]

You don't think they were known for their National Championship in 2011?


I think a lot of people outside our part of the country( or my former part) don't get how good they are. There is no way I would play them early if at all.

Hell of a stadium re-opener for the Huskies, beating Boise State soundly and delivering Chris Petersen (by far) his worst loss. His previous worst loss? Also against the Huskies in Husky Stadium.

Just finished watching the game, I am amazed how well we played, and against a quality opponent. The offense was flawless and the pacer early wore BSU down. The only complaint I have on defense is I would like to see us get to the quarterback more, seemed like we were a step slow in that regard.

Looks like we have all the makings for a really solid season.

[MizzouRah]

I don't envy you. We've got a wedding at the winery, so I can't make it anyway, but it's going to be HOT! Hope it cools down a bit for a game later in the year so I can sneak down there with my kids.

Really excited to see the team. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong last year. Mizzou will probably surprise a lot of people this year just because most don't realize how many injury issues we had last year that lead to only five wins.

I think most will want to see DGB get a lot more looks (I saw where someone on one of the boards said that he's the primary read in 70% of our offensive plays this year).

Also, great to have Henry Josey back. He would have been an All-American two years ago if he hadn't blown out his knee. Most reports are that the year of recovery has allowed him to get his speed and mobility back.

It was HOT.. but well worth it. :) Hansbrough and Josey ran the ball very well and it was great seeing Josey make that long run for a TD late in the game. The fans gave him a standing ovation when they announced him in the starting lineup.

DGB had a great game and after a very slow start, Mizzou got it together.

Obviously we were supposed to win by a lot, so we shall see how next week goes against a good Toledo team.

[Dr. Sak]

Announcers in Georgia - Clemson game were talking about what a smart play on the punt return when the Clemson player made picking up the ball in the endzone and running it out after it touched his teammate, but wouldn't that have just been a touchback if he'd downed it?

Yeah forced touching is ignored on Punts like what happened there.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Been watching the new Fox Sports Live show. SO much better than Sportscenter. Lots more highlights. It's much more direct like Sportscenter used to be.

[MrBug708]

Congrats Husky fans, I know it must have felt great for that win.

Side note for Dawgfan, Myles Jack is going to be a beast :)

[B & B]

Hell of a stadium re-opener for the Huskies, beating Boise State soundly and delivering Chris Petersen (by far) his worst loss. His previous worst loss? Also against the Huskies in Husky Stadium.


Im not gonna pee in your cornflakes but heres a few things to take from that game (or a few things I knew before kickoff that became affirmed)

1. This is the worst Boise team Peterson has had in his tenure here.

2. This is the best Washington team in more than a decade.

3. Both teams go to a bowl, and both teams will win 8 or more games this year.

4. Its a long season, and 60% of the time, I'm right everytime.

[bob]

I'm not sure what is more entertaining - the UGA early season loss after a full summer of national championship talk, or the complete fanbase meltdown that immediately follows.

[cuervo72]

"The eye sees what it expects to see" is the only way I could explain that one.

My guess there was that the ref saw one of the feet kick up chalk from the sideline hash mark and mistook it for the runner stepping on the sideline itself.

[Ben E Lou]

I'm not sure what is more entertaining - the UGA early season loss after a full summer of national championship talk, or the complete fanbase meltdown that immediately follows.As a UGA fan, I don't get the consternation at this point at all. The Dawgs didn't exactly look like a bad team last night. People need a little perspective: it's a 3-point loss to the #8 team on the road at night in Week 1 of the season. UGA has to win the SEC to get to the MNC game anyway. That hasn't changed. If the Dawgs are MNC material, then Clemson is a really good team too. (Lots of people think they are, and I tend to agree.) An SEC Champ with one loss to a Top 10 team is going to get to play in the big one. If the Dawgs are not MNC material, then there's even less reason to get worked up over a 3-point loss on the road at night to a Top 10 team.

[Ben E Lou]

According to Brent Musberger, its the most exciting 25 seconds in college football. He even said that in 1985.

Derp.A former Tucker kid I knew very well (I officiated at his sister's wedding, played on a couple of church league b-ball games with his dad, and he was in my cabin on more than one YL trip in high school,) fell and broke his leg (http://wizbangsports.com/2003/10/clemson_player_breaks_leg_duri.php) during "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" one year.

[cuervo72]

The EWU QB running into the stands to hug what I presume was his mom ... that's what makes Saturdays >>> Sundays

...MNC game...MNC material...MNC material.

That's what makes Sundays >>> Saturdays. :D

[Ben E Lou]

Nope. Having a MNC that you can argue about for years is much more fun than having it settled. :D

[bob]

As a UGA fan, I don't get the consternation at this point at all. The Dawgs didn't exactly look like a bad team last night. People need a little perspective: it's a 3-point loss to the #8 team on the road at night in Week 1 of the season. UGA has to win the SEC to get to the MNC game anyway. That hasn't changed. If the Dawgs are MNC material, then Clemson is a really good team too. (Lots of people think they are, and I tend to agree.) An SEC Champ with one loss to a Top 10 team is going to get to play in the big one. If the Dawgs are not MNC material, then there's even less reason to get worked up over a 3-point loss on the road at night to a Top 10 team.

I think it's as much about the 1-10 record Murray has as starting Qb against the top 15 as it is about losing to the inferior ACC.

[dawgfan]

I'm guessing nothing happened here, because Oregon-Nicholls State.
No, he was promptly ejected.

[dawgfan]

Congrats Husky fans, I know it must have felt great for that win.

Side note for Dawgfan, Myles Jack is going to be a beast :)
He played? Yeah, not getting Jack is going to sting.

[Logan]

The penalty/ejection in the Cal/Northwestern game was much worse.

[JonInMiddleGA]

As a UGA fan, I don't get the consternation at this point at all.

Interestingly enough I haven't seen nearly the level of angst I expected (well, hoped for ;) ). It's quite unusual to see the Dawg nation taking a loss anywhere near this well. If SC wins next week & NC State shocks Clemson, things might be a good bit different.

The Dawgs didn't exactly look like a bad team last night.

Except for the OL, which looked awful.

[Ben E Lou]

I think it's as much about the 1-10 record Murray has as starting Qb against the top 15 as it is about losing to the inferior ACC.People don't realize that he's (until proven otherwise) the second coming of Eric Zeier? ;) Lots of talent, great arm, flashes of brilliance, but for whatever reason, just not a winner.

[RainMaker]

Eastern Illinois beating San Diego State was a nice moment yesterday. Brother is an EIU alum and we were following the game as best we could on the Mountain West's horrible stream.

For those who don't follow FCS, EIU brought in a Baylor assistant over a year ago. He runs a Baylor style offense that is a ton of fun to watch. I know SDSU might not be good for FBS despite last year's showing, but I was surprised at how much EIU dominated them. EIU is by no means an FCS powerhouse and is coming off a 2-win season a couple years back. They did whatever they wanted offensively and had they had a respectable kicking game, would have won this by even more (missed some PATs and a short FG).

Anyways, I'd keep an eye out for Dino Babers in the next couple years taking over a head coaching job. Would not be surprised to see Illinois turn to him in a couple years if things don't turn around soon.

[britrock88]

The way FCS teams are competing with and defeating solid FBS teams, it wouldn't surprise me if, once the Big 5 conferences break off, the remainder of FBS and FCS merge. It'd be fun.

[BishopMVP]

People don't realize that he's (until proven otherwise) the second coming of Eric Zeier? ;) Lots of talent, great arm, flashes of brilliance, but for whatever reason, just not a winner.Matt Stafford didn't fall in that category too?Nope. Having a MNC that you can argue about for years is much more fun than having it settled. :DPlus there's the fact that some of these Week 1 games might actually matter when it comes to deciding the national champion. Last year the Patriots started 1-2 (and 3-3), and it really didn't feel like a big deal. Meanwhile Notre Dame had like 7 nail-biters on the way to the title game. Some of the Pats games were definitely objectively better games (31-30 loss to the Ravens, 24-23 loss @ Seattle, 31-21 win vs Denver), but I really didn't have any emotional attachment - if they lost, who cares, use it as a mulligan and get them next week. If ND had lost, it's wait til next fall.

[CU Tiger]

Let's take the remaining marquee games off of the table: Florida State and South Carolina.

Which one of these games will Clemson lay an egg?

1. at North Carolina State
2. at Syracuse
3. at Maryland
4. Georgia Tech

I'd figure Syracuse on the road or against GT.

I think this is a bit of a dated misconception. It was certainly true of Bowden's teams, not so much under Swinney's. Especially in the last two years (this is the start of year 5 or the first with all of his recruits) in fact Dabo even addressed tis last night post game.

“People need to start writing something different and whoever covers us need to start asking different questions,” Swinney said. “The bottom-line is this program has been as consistent as any program in college football over the last 30 something weeks. There are only 6 teams in America that have been ranked 30 something weeks in a row or more. There is only six. There are 125 teams.”

“How come they don’t say where is all these others,” Swinney said. “Because the only ones on that list [teams ranked last 30 weeks] are LSU, Alabama, Oregon, Stanford, South Carolina and Clemson. There are a whole lot of other great programs that are not on that list. So why don’t y’all write about them? Because Clemson has been as consistent as anybody in the country. We haven’t won them all but them other teams haven’t won it all either. But that seems like that always wants to come up. People always bring up something that happened from five years ago. We need to move on. Let’s get a different storyline. Let’s talk about what we have done, not what we haven’t done. We are beyond that. Our players deserve better than that.”

With all the comparisons of the ACC to SEC, Swinney said that he respects the SEC, but he is really just worried about Clemson.

“We got all the respect in the world for the SEC and all that stuff, but it is not about a league,”Swinney said. “ It’s about a program. It’s about a program.. bottom-line. Hey we love being in the ACC. We are very proud of all that stuff but we are worried about Clemson and being the best Clemson we can be. These guys don’t feel like they take a backseat to anybody.”

...........

While I am clearly a fan and huge homer, I think my posting history will pretty wclealry support I'm not a blond fan boy, and often critical of Clemson.

But I think this story is a tired carry over from the Bowden finesse days that Coach Swinney is clearly trying to distance himself from.

[CU Tiger]

A former Tucker kid I knew very well (I officiated at his sister's wedding, played on a couple of church league b-ball games with his dad, and he was in my cabin on more than one YL trip in high school,) fell and broke his leg (http://wizbangsports.com/2003/10/clemson_player_breaks_leg_duri.php) during "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" one year.

It's unfortunately happened several times. The hill is surprisingly steep and I remember clearly fearing the first time I ran down it being up at nice nervous I'd trip and cause a clown pile up.

[Ben E Lou]

Matt Stafford didn't fall in that category too?Heh. Interesting thought. Off the top of my head, I'm guessing he gets a pass in my mind because he did actually make big plays late to win some big games, though no SECCG. I'm sure beating Florida, Auburn, and Tech in the same season helped frame my opinion of him, too. It just seemed like Zeier never showed up big in the fourth quarter with an important game on the line.

[Thomkal]

Speaking of FCS, Coastal Carolina was ranked in the top 25 in the two polls this preseason, and started off on the road at South Carolina State with a win, but it wasn't easy-had to come from 14 down to win 27-20. Blocked a punt and ran it in for one of the late TD's then held strong on a goal-line stand to prevent SCST from scoring. Then had a 99 yard TD drive. New QB (well he started one game last season) Alex Ross has a lot of potential, but wasn't particularly sharp for this one. Lots of new starters on defense too, so could be in for some rough games against the better teams on the schedule. Next up are the mighty Furman Paladins in the home opener. It won't get any easier for SCST-they travel to Clemson next. Ouch.

[CU Tiger]

You gotta think South Carolina & LSU are watching this UGA line with their mouth's watering.



Except for the OL, which looked awful.

I suspect that the year will bear out that Clemson's DL is much better than you suggest.

Remember this is the same DL that stuffed LSU 6 times in the Peach Bowl on 3 rd and shorts for no gain or a loss.

The line is young, but they have some very strong developing kids and one of the top DL coaches in the country in Dan Brooks.

They don't have the star power that SC has in Clowney....but their front four two deep is very very good.

[Ben E Lou]

Yeah, there's not a compelling reason to worry about the UGA o-line long-term just yet imho. It's an experienced squad with talent. I think it'll serve as a wake-up call to them, even if it turns out that Clemson's d-line is just better than anyone had guessed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I suspect that the year will bear out that Clemson's DL is much better than you suggest.

On that point, eh, I'm a long way from sold. Nothing personal, I'm just not.

Georgia's OL looked awful to me, guys who looked like they had never seen anyone make an outside move before.

Remember this is the same DL that stuffed LSU 6 times in the Peach Bowl on 3 rd and shorts for no gain or a loss.

Also not a selling point for me I'm afraid, not much about the LSU offense impresses me.

They might very well be better than expected, that's for sure. Last night did little to convince me of that, I've seen too many units (in every position group at various times) look completely lost at UGA.

[CU Tiger]

I'll say it this way, and time will certainly bear it out one way or the other, at a high school coaching clinic this summer Brent Venables said it was the best complete front four two deep he has ever had. His quote "we are going to shock some national people with our sack and Tfl numbers this year"
The context was in relation to the importance of hand placement technique for d linemen.

Frankly I didn't buy it at the time, and totally discounted it as coach speak. Last night I was impressed.

And Jon to your point about LSU's offense...any time you push an oline around that trains with Tommy Moffitt...you have done something in my book. The best S&C coach in America (on any level) and has been for nearly two decades.

Btw can we talk about the UGA defenders getting signs from the sidelines and laying down on key third downs only to return one play later two or three times last night. That has to be addressed by a rules committee either with unsportsmanlike penalties or loss of time outs

[JonInMiddleGA]

Btw can we talk about the UGA defenders getting signs from the sidelines and laying down on key third downs only to return one play later two or three times last night. That has to be addressed by a rules committee either with unsportsmanlike penalties or loss of time outs

And here I was thinking I was the only one who noticed the frequency that happened (didn't know anything about any signalling, it just sure seemed convenient at times)

[flounder]

http://i.imgur.com/Ep8Can6.gif

[Butter]

Btw can we talk about the UGA defenders getting signs from the sidelines and laying down on key third downs only to return one play later two or three times last night. That has to be addressed by a rules committee either with unsportsmanlike penalties or loss of time outs

My entire family was booing every time... so I apologize to any UGa players that were actually hurt. But we were getting some smiles and looks from the older fans in front of us when we were yelling "faker!" and booing on every Georgia "injury", most of which I suspect were not all that injurious.

[bhlloy]

Seems pretty simple - come out injured, stay out until the next change in possession. Solves the issues of players being rushed back into a game with a concussion or an injury they might aggravate, seeing as the emphasis is on safety these days as well.

[CU Tiger]

My entire family was booing every time... so I apologize to any UGa players that were actually hurt. But we were getting some smiles and looks from the older fans in front of us when we were yelling "faker!" and booing on every Georgia "injury", most of which I suspect were not all that injurious.

Haha us too!
Btw it was great to meet you and the family yesterday.
Sorry y'all couldn't hang around longer!

Although it bordered on non kid friendly by game time :D

[Atocep]

Btw can we talk about the UGA defenders getting signs from the sidelines and laying down on key third downs only to return one play later two or three times last night. That has to be addressed by a rules committee either with unsportsmanlike penalties or loss of time outs

WVU has run into it and the fans have gotten some flack for booing "injured" players. It's getting so blatant that the NCAA really needs to look into it.

[MrBug708]

He played? Yeah, not getting Jack is going to sting.

He played pretty great last night

[SirFozzie]

Here's the payouts for the FCS teams that beat FBS teams this week:

Eastern Washington, $450,000 from Oregon State;

• McNeese State, $400,000 from South Florida;

• North Dakota State, $350,000 from Kansas State;

• Northern Iowa, $350,000 from Iowa State;

• Eastern Illinois, $325,000 from San Diego State;

• Towson, $275,000 from UConn;

• Southern Utah, $225,000 from South Alabama

[TroyF]

Decided to watch the CSU/CU game today. I'm still a fan of CU and it reminds me of home.

First series or CU, they throw a long pass to Richardson. . . and there is no CSU player within 45 yards of him. I doubt I will see a worse blown coverage in any football game the rest of the year. This wasn't a trick play either.

Yikes, if CSU's defense is that bad, it will be a long year for the lambs.

[Julio Riddols]

Bridgewater looks like Peyton Manning with athletic ability. His talent pops off the screen. I feel like there are guys you wonder about whether they have it or not, and then there are guys like Bridgewater. He's about as can't miss as I have seen since Manning. Gonna be fun to see what kind of noise Louisville can make this year.

[britrock88]

Seems pretty simple - come out injured, stay out until the next change in possession. Solves the issues of players being rushed back into a game with a concussion or an injury they might aggravate, seeing as the emphasis is on safety these days as well.

I like this, but is it effective enough? The above posting mentioned key third downs -- one good defensive play, and there's your change in possession.

[Danny]

Bridgewater looks like Peyton Manning with athletic ability. His talent pops off the screen. I feel like there are guys you wonder about whether they have it or not, and then there are guys like Bridgewater. He's about as can't miss as I have seen since Manning. Gonna be fun to see what kind of noise Louisville can make this year.

I want the Raiders to get the 1st pick to get Bridgewater. Best way to turnaround the franchise.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Talk about a costly celebration. UGA loses WR Mitchell for the season to an ACL injury suffered when he landed wrong after a "three amigos" leaping chest bump celebration of Gurley's 75 yd run.

http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2013-09-01/big-blow-georgia-loses-wideout-mitchell-season-acl-injury

[Logan]

Go back and check the tape of what Bridgewater did against Rutgers last year in the de-facto Big East Championship game with a bum leg and a bum arm. He's awesome, and also seems like a great kid.

[MrBug708]

http://i.minus.com/irH1iUbQ6Zuwh.gif

[bhlloy]

I like this, but is it effective enough? The above posting mentioned key third downs -- one good defensive play, and there's your change in possession.

Then make it four plays or change of possession, whichever comes first. The real downside is who keeps track of it and whether it impacts the flow of play but if we're serious about this problem, the solution seems pretty simple.

[Jon]

I can't believe I stayed up until 3:05am watching my NJ-based team play a game.

I can't believe my wife and I drove 16 hours from Seattle to Fresno in a day and a half to watch the game in person (though we did meet AD Julie Hermann who was impressed with our efforts and got to see Napa on the way back).

[Logan]

I can't believe my wife and I drove 16 hours from Seattle to Fresno in a day and a half to watch the game in person (though we did meet AD Julie Hermann who was impressed with our efforts and got to see Napa on the way back).

Okay you win.

[GrantDawg]

http://i.imgur.com/Ep8Can6.gif


Here is a slo-mo video of the play before:
VID_20130901_185634_827.mp4 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BEEfB_97dPM)

He got leg-whipped in the groin. The reason he is told to go on the ground instead of just coming off the field is because of the up-tempo offense. Richt statement on the play:

"When a guy is injured he needs to just stay down and not try to drag himself off the field," Richt said. "In the past you'd say, 'be brave and be and be tough and try to drag yourself off the field.' But what happens is when you do that you're giving the other team the advantage. So if you are hurt just stay down until the officials stop play and then you can come off the field and we can put the next guy in. So he was injured. And if a guy's injured now we're just telling him to stay down and don't come off until the officials stop play.
"Yeah, he got hit in his privates real hard. Actually it was a leg whip. I don't think it was intentional but it was a block, an across-body block and the leg kicked up and got into him. He was trying to figure what to do there but it was better off that he not play that next snap."

So, no fake injury. Just a change in how the players are told to react when they need to come off the field, so the defense has a chance to replace them.

[lungs]

The other problem with the injury thing is that I don't know how many times I caught myself flipping the channel on Saturday because of an injury time out. Football is already bad enough with all the commercials (I'm not dumb, I know they are necessary), but the injury timeouts can make some games unwatchable if there isn't a compelling reason for me to watch the game. I'm not singling out Clemson vs. Georgia either, just talking in general.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just a change in how the players are told to react when they need to come off the field

If they're telling them to go down like they've just been shot, might ought to rethink that.

edit to add: On the general subject, I will note that I see this sort - clock management injuries that is - of thing fairly frequently at the high school level & it's increasingly common. It definitely isn't something that starts when they get to college, I'd say most arrive with a working knowledge of the tactic.

[JPhillips]

This is one area where I agree with Saban. This is bigger than injury stoppage. Football rules makers need to decide if football is going to become a continuous action game.

[CU Tiger]

This is one area where I agree with Saban. This is bigger than injury stoppage. Football rules makers need to decide if football is going to become a continuous action game.

When you say you agree with Saban, does that mean you think fast paced offenses are dangerous to Defensive players?

If so a few points:
1- The offensive gusy are on the field the same amount of time/plays
2- What is more dangerous running a defensive linemen a bunch of times or lineing up the biggest O linemen in the country and pummeling him over and over straight ahead
3- If they are so worried about player safety, they do get 3 timeouts to use as they see fit. This is not basketball where you must have possession to call a timeout.

What Saban and Bielema are crying about is they have one philosophy and it has served them well. Saban , so much so that given his resources at his disposal it is nearly unstoppable. So when someone else invents a scheme to shift the balance of power away from his preferred style of play he wants to ban their style. How about this, "I think giving Running Backs a head start and running right into interior defensive linemen is dangerous, we should ban all runs between the tackles." Its really a stupid argument.

This whole debate is cyclical. Remember Super Bowl 20?
The rough and tough NY Giants against the No Huddle Fast Break K-Gun Bills?

[JPhillips]

Nothing that specific for me. I think there needs to be a clear and conscious decision to change the way the game has been played or to keep it the same. I'm fine either way, but the current offensive trend, especially at the HS and college level really is making it a different game.

And the K-Gun Bills were copying the Bengals. The first time I remember injuries being used to stop play was in one of the Bengals-Bills playoff games.

[CU Tiger]

Nothing that specific for me. I think there needs to be a clear and conscious decision to change the way the game has been played or to keep it the same. I'm fine either way, but the current offensive trend, especially at the HS and college level really is making it a different game.

And the K-Gun Bills were copying the Bengals. The first time I remember injuries being used to stop play was in one of the Bengals-Bills playoff games.


Interesting discussion.
But we arent talking about a forward pass that literally had to be legalized as no one had ever thought of it. There has never been a rule that teams had to wait X amount of time between plays, now we want to introduce one artificially?

I just dont understand it. Should the fast break be outlawed in basketball to allow teams time to set up offenses?

I just shudder at the thought of QBs having routines prior to stepping under center a la baseball players.

[JPhillips]

Over the history of the game the defense has had the ability to substitute for 80-90% of the plays. Now teams have figured out they can run a tempo for the entire game that greatly limits the ability of the defense to substitute. That changes the nature of the game whether or not new rules need to be added to allow it.


Basketball is an interesting comparison. Teams exploited the lack of shot clock to a point where the game was fundamentally different and a shot clock was added to return it to closer to what was envisioned.

Again, I'm fine either way as teams and the game will evolve, but IMO there's no question that the game is changing at a rather fundamental level. I'd like to see that change discussed.

[CU Tiger]

Over the history of the game the defense has had the ability to substitute for 80-90% of the plays. Now teams have figured out they can run a tempo for the entire game that greatly limits the ability of the defense to substitute. That changes the nature of the game whether or not new rules need to be added to allow it.


Basketball is an interesting comparison. Teams exploited the lack of shot clock to a point where the game was fundamentally different and a shot clock was added to return it to closer to what was envisioned.

Again, I'm fine either way as teams and the game will evolve, but IMO there's no question that the game is changing at a rather fundamental level. I'd like to see that change discussed.

The bolded part is where we differ. The "nickel" defense didnt exist until the early 90s. Heck as recently as the late 70s it was fairly common for players to play not only every down on defense but also play both ways and on special teams.

Finally the shot clock analogy is interesting because the play clock was added in football to speed it up after teams tried to slow it down.

Again, I suppose we just will agree to disagree, at my position has little to do with the way Clemson chooses to play call Offense the last 2 years.

[GrantDawg]

The bolded part is where we differ. The "nickel" defense didnt exist until the early 90s. Heck as recently as the late 70s it was fairly common for players to play not only every down on defense but also play both ways and on special teams.

Finally the shot clock analogy is interesting because the play clock was added in football to speed it up after teams tried to slow it down.

Again, I suppose we just will agree to disagree, at my position has little to do with the way Clemson chooses to play call Offense the last 2 years.


I honestly think that the defense should be allowed enough time to substitute in any given situation. Even if it is a 15 second dead time reset or something. This situation is a high-light of why it is needed. If the player had simply ran off the field after getting kicked in the nuts, it would have been near impossible to get a sub in for him. This created the whole "dive" controversy. A up-tempo offense shouldn't set up a situation where a team is playing 11 on 10.

[CU Tiger]

or he could you know, suck it up and play through it.
He came back in the next play.

BTW Herrera had to be helped off the field 3 times and missed one play each time. Did he get hit in the nuts every time.

Should the Offense also tell the Defense where they are running?
The defense has as much opportunity to sub as the offense does.

[cuervo72]

The bolded part is where we differ. The "nickel" defense didnt exist until the early 90s. Heck as recently as the late 70s it was fairly common for players to play not only every down on defense but also play both ways and on special teams.

At one point the offense was limited by how fast they could get the plays into the huddle. Without radio communication, you had hand signals. Before hand signals (or for teams that couldn't master them), you had rotating guards (or WR or whomever).