Week 2 - Sunday Storylines
Unlucky Irish, a beatdown in The Big House and ¡El Assico! delivers.
Instant Replay
What did we just watch?
Unlucky Irish - A Marcus Freeman-led team did what a Marcus Freeman-led team does.
A week after winning the Week 1 headlines, fifth-ranked Notre Dame laid an absolute egg in front of its home faithful, dropping a 16-14 stunner to unranked Northern Illinois. The Huskies pulled no punches, using a blistering balanced attack in the air and on the ground.
There’s a formula to pulling upsets: Win the turnover battle, be hard-headed enough not to go away and find a little luck when you need it. The Huskies were 3-for-3 in that department.
NIU jumped out to a 13-7 first-half lead and never looked back. In the second half, the Huskies dragged the Irish into the mud and the home team couldn’t handle it. The two turning points in the game were a pair of Irish field goal attempts, both of which were blocked by Westside High School alum Cade Haberman.
It was a win for NIU. It was a win for MACtion. It was a win for America.
Texas-sized beatdown - The premier matchup of the day was largely a dud, thanks to the offensive prowess by Texas and an Iowa-level of offensive ineptitude from defending champs Michigan.
No. 3 Texas walloped No. 10 Michigan in The Big House 31-12. As grim as that scoreline might read, it didn’t even feel that close. The only thing worse than Michigan’s offense was the halftime interview between Joel Klatt and Tom Brady.
The Dumptruck Daddies (Texas offensive line) was the battle of the trenches by a large margin. The big boys helped UT establish the run and kept Ewers clean in the pocket. UT made mince meat out of a vaunted Michigan defense and Sarkisian ran circles around UM defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
For my money, this was Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ most impressive game as the signal-caller in Austin. I was thoroughly impressed with his ability to ride the pocket when things got tight. He stepped up when necessary, kept his shoulders squared and did a fantastic job of finding his second and third reads. If he plays like this, UT is in the national title race.
The Michigan offense needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror after that Iowa-esque showing. Both quarterbacks were pedestrian at best, and woeful at worst. This team screams 8-4 with a Citrus Bowl berth.
¡El Assico! delivers - Rarely are ¡El Assico! fans were treated to an offensive showcase, but Saturday was a delightful deviation from the norm.
Despite a sluggish first half, both teams kicked into high gear in the second half. Amidst a backdrop of screaming Hawkeye fans, Matt Campbell and the Cyclones pulled off a stone-cold stunner of a final drive to win the game 20-19.
Down two points, ISU quarterback Rocco Becht orchestrated a masterful final drive, connecting on completions for 10, 30 and two yards to get his team in field goal range with the seconds ticking away. With mere seconds remaining, Cyclone kicker Kyle Konrardy smashed a 54-yard field goal to silence the crowd and get the visitors out of there with a victory.
I will not say anything derogatory about Kirk Ferentz returning to the sideline and Iowa immediately losing.
I will not say anything derogatory about Kirk Ferentz returning to the sideline and Iowa immediately losing.
I will not…
Hard-fought Huskers - In what was being billed as the game of the night, Nebraska packed up Colorado and Coach Prime’s Louis V luggage to the tune of a 28-17 final scoreline. And for the record, that scoreline flatters Colorado as the game never really felt that close.
Fast starts matter and Nebraska entered this game shot out of a cannon. The Blackshirts squashed a CU opening drive and Nebraska answered right away with seven points of its own. This was a bit of a microcosm of the whole half. Nebraska doing things right and CU falling apart. This thing was over at halftime and the Huskers never looked back.
Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur should be arrested for what he did tonight in Lincoln. Offenses include:
Being an absolute moron.
Getting Shedeur Sanders killed all night.
Calling a pass play while the Buffaloes were on their own 1-yard line.
That very same pass play being picked off and returned for a TD.
Not finding a way to relieve pressure off the offensive line with screens or occasional run plays.
Being an absolute moron.
FWIW, Sanders and Travis Hunter did not have their best games, but they were far from the biggest issue. That offensive line is dog water, baby. Swiss cheese stuff. It was a tough, tough watch against a strong NU defensive unit.
Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Railoa was fine to good. He wasn’t asked to do too much and still found a way to make a few really strong throws. The Nebraska run game was the key to victory, however. The offensive line did a great job of covering up defenders and running back Dante Dowdell ran hard, which is an encouraging sight if you’re a Husker fan.
One quick call-out: What a strange second half. Way too many penalties and a strangely stagnant Husker offense. Let’s keep an eye on this space. Was it the penalties that interrupted the Husker offensive rhythm? Or is there something to worry about there? We shall see.
Nico Iamaleava arrives - Saturday night, the college football world was put on notice. Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava have officially arrived.
In what was tabbed as a premiere matchup, the 14th-ranked Vols wiped the floor with 24th-ranked NC State 51-10. This game was an offensive bludgeoning – quickly becoming a calling card for Tennessee HC Josh Heupel.
The Vols finished with an average of 8.60 yards per play (95th percentile!) 9.17 yards per dropback and a 52% defensive run stuff rate. Translation: The Vols kicked a metric ton of ass.
Iamaleava finished with four touchdowns (3 passing and 1 rushing) and despite a pair of INTs, had great command of the offense. Watch out, SEC.
For NC State, tonight’s game was a clear indicator that it doesn’t have the offense to hang in huge games. This was the major question entering the season and it appears to be true. I hate to see it because I genuinely respect and enjoy Dave Doeren teams.
Alive in Autzen - Survive and advance is the name of the game and Oregon did just that in its 37-34 win over Boise State.
The Ducks needed a second-half rally and a clutch special teams play to keep pace with the Broncos. With just seconds remaining, Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington (real name!) knocked down a 25-yard field goal to keep the Ducks undefeated.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was predictably awesome. He made life hard for the Ducks’ defense, finishing with a wildly impressive 25-carry, 202-yard and 3-touchdown stat line. That man is just so damn good. No if and or buts about it.
This is the second week in a row Oregon had a hard time with a lesser opponent. I really hope this doesn't become more of a trend.
Languishing in Las Cruces - In a game that rounded out at roughly 1 AM Central time, Liberty came from behind to beat New Mexico State 30-24 in what could’ve been the biggest College Football Playoff-defining game of the weekend.
Yes, it did feel funny typing that.
Guns up for Gundy - Congrats, Oklahoma State-Arkansas, y’all win the Red Bull Vodka game of the day.
In this game, the audience was treated to the following:
A hilarious taunting penalty where OSU quarterback Alan Bowman pretended to double pistol shoot the Arkansas sideline.
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green living on the literal edge with every scamper and throw.
OSU head coach Mike Gundy having an actual aneurysm after a fraudulent false start penalty.
College kickers whiffing on game-winning kicks.
Two very stupid overtime periods.
OSU won 39-31 in 2OT. I’m not sure I feel much different about the Cowboys after today. OSU should hang around and compete for the Big 12 title. However, perhaps Arkansas is a little friskier than we all thought. Time will tell.
Cardiac Cats - In the words of K-State ball-knower Cam Morgan, “Win your clunkers!”
Kansas State did just that, outlasting Tulane 34-27. Kansas State is just an impossible team to root against.
This program is a bit like a garbage compactor because the Cats just grind your offense down. Avery Johnson is fun as hell. His mobility is just a total game-changer for this team.
The turning point in this game was when the Wildcats’ defense stripped the Tulane QB and scooped and scored one to the house. And with just seconds remaining, the Wildcat defense came up big again, getting a crucial stop to seal the victory.
Win your clunkers, baby.
Penn State? - Hey Penn State, y’all alright?
For a few hours, the college football community kept hitting refresh on the Bowling Green-Penn State game log. And for a while, BG quarterback Connor Bazelak was dealing rhymes like dimes and helped the Falcons push the Nittany Lions to the absolute brink.
Survive and advance is good enough if you’re a Penn State fan. But man, what a weird game.
Woke liberal football - M.A.G.A - Make Auburn Great Again
Hugh Freeze, baby, what is you doing? ICYMI, Auburn lost to those nasty San Francisco liberals from Cal Berkley 21-14 in a very (checks notes) normal ACC-SEC matchup.
This is just yet another mind-bogglingly bad loss for Freeze and Auburn. Something’s gotta give, brother.
Sidenote: Not sure you could conjure up a funnier matchup than Cal-Auburn if you tried.
What do the people of Auburn, Alabama, know about California? It might as well be the moon to them. A very liberal, tax and illegal-alien-filled moon.
America’s Team - I’m delighted to report that Texas State remains America’s Team after a triumphant 49-10 victory over UTSA.
Texas State head coach GJ Kinne continues to impress. He’s going to do great at Baylor next year.
Juice box boys - Shoutout to Syracuse for a big 31-28 win over No. 23 Georgia Tech. That’s a game that Syracuse does not win at the end of the Dino Babers era.
Quarterback Kyle McCord appears to be a real coup for the Orangemen. I don’t have a ton else to say outside of things appear to be trending upward in Syracuse, New York, and that’s pretty dang cool!
Beliema Ball - I love coaches who don’t get too cute and Illinois head coach Bret Beliema is the walking embodiment of that ideology.
Acquire big linemen. Run the ball. Control the clock. Make timely plays. I love me some Bert ball.
Tonight, the Illini did the damn near impossible, knocking off a very wiley and fun 19th-ranked Kansas team 23-17. The keys to the game?
Illinois ran the heck out of the ball (0.25 EPA/rush) and kicked ass where it mattered most with a 50% red zone success rate. Quarterback Luke Altmeyer is never going to win the Heisman Trophy, but he’s a gutsy quarterback. Good for Illinois.
A Tigers trouncing - Clemson put 66 points on Appalachian State’s head. Good gravy that is tough for the Mountaineers.
Mississippi State - No further questions at this time *sad emoji*
Alex Golesh hive - Look, Alabama beat USF 42-16 but that scoreline does not tell the story. The Bulls made life hard for the Crimson Tide and I respect the heck out of that.
USF head coach Alex Golesh is a rising star in this industry and a smart school is going to hire him soon.
The Brent Musburger Gambling Guide
Let’s review my locks of the week.
Temple vs. -13 Navy - +1 unit
Colorado vs. Nebraska UNDER 57.5 - +1 unit
-7.5 Tennessee vs. NC State - +1 unit
Akron vs. -23 Rutgers - +1 unit
+17 Appalachian State vs. Clemson - -1 unit
Overall: +4 units on the year
What I’m Reading This Season
SID Sports - Don’t forget to subscribe to Griffin Olah’s SID Sports newsletter. As a former Divison I sports information director, Olah has a great grasp of the sport and I really enjoy his work.
2201 Kimball Ave | Cameron Morgan - 2201 Kimball Ave is essential reading for all followers of Kansas State football. As a lifelong K-State fan and former player, Cameron brings a unique and thoughtful approach to the analysis of the Wildcats' football team. His newsletters are rational and insightful and I genuinely learn something new with every newsletter.
Split Zone Duo | Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson and Steven Godfrey - SZD is essential reading and following for CFB ball knowers. Godfrey, Richard and Alex are the Holy Trinity for college football analysis and insight. Each member brings a unique flavor to the conversation, which makes for insightful and downright hilarious banter about the sport we all love. If I had someone ask me where to start for smarter college football coverage, this SZD is where I'd send them.