4 Things We Learned In College Football Week 1
As week 1 wraps up, we learn a lot about the landscape of college football for 2022.
Top Dawgs Look Good As Ever
Many people were excited to see how Kirby Smart’s defense would look after losing seven starters including three first-rounders. I thought they may lose a step and a week one matchup with ranked Oregon could test the Bulldogs early… boy was I wrong. The Bulldogs took the Ducks behind the woodshed and did things that even Jeffery Dahmer would describe as graphic.
Georgia lost 15 players to the NFL in the offseason but looks like they might be better than the NFL teams that play in the Superdome on Sundays (sorry Falcons). Bo Nix was held to just 173 passing yards in his Oregon debut, his knack for extending plays may have worked against him with a couple of head-scratching interceptions.
Stetson Bennett picked up where he left off with a nearly perfect 25/31 with a pair TDs. Many experts picking Alabama and Ohio State to clash in early January may be discounting the defending champs.
The PAC 12 Still Stinks
This may be a bit harsh but the power five has looked more like the power four over the past five years with the PAC 12 not having representation in the last five seasons. Oregon obviously struggled against Georgia. No one expected the Ducks to win but their only touchdown of the weekend was on the runway of the Atlanta airport.
Utah, poised as the sleeper in most playoff predictions, lost a heartbreaker in the Swamp. Cam Rising tried to force a ball late which cost the Utes a win that could have been the difference on a resume come late December. Utah is certainly not dead, but they are now in a position where they need to be perfect to have a shot.
USC did their job against Rice but now are the conference's best chance at a playoff birth and they will surely experience some growing pains in Lincoln Riley’s first year in Southern California. I’m not saying I’m surprised but it’s week two and the PAC 12 playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread.
Veteran QB’s Might Have Short Leashes
College football fans have to remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. As fans we always are looking forward to what — or who can push our teams to the next level. Clemson and Penn State fall in that boat where their shiny new freshman are enticing to fans even if they might not be fully ready.
Penn State’s Sean Clifford, in his fourth year as a starter, already has Penn State fans feeling rather conflicted. Despite throwing an inexcusable pick-six late in the fourth quarter he lead the Nittany Lions to a game-winning drive in Purdue on Thursday. The Sean Clifford Experience is a roller coaster of emotions that will surely take you on many highs and lows and everything in between.
Clifford missed one drive with cramps and highly touted freshman, Drew Allar, made his debut. Allar went 2–4 but showed good pocket presence and delivered the most mouth-watering incompletion I have ever seen. If Clifford struggled I wouldn’t be surprised if Allar gets the nod as the head signal caller.
A similar situation in death valley where DJ Uiagalelei split time with freshman Cade Klubnik. Klubnik is highest rated dual-threat QB and was on fire in his only drive for the tigers. It feels like history repeating itself here with the Kelly Bryant-Trevor Lawrence battle a few seasons ago. Ultimately, Clemson is playing for a National Title and with a weak ACC schedule don’t be surprised if we see Klubnik sooner rather than later.
College Football = Chaos
We are in prime form in week one. Some of the most incredible finishes we’ve seen and we still have 13 more weeks of mayhem. From Utah throwing an interception in FG range down three, to the return of the Backyard Brawl ending in “Pitt-Six” this week had it all. LSU had a 97-yard 90-second drive only to have the tying extra point blocked. App State and UNC combined for 62 points in the fourth quarter while Iowa beat SDSU scoring seven the hard way (FG and two safeties).
If this week is any indication for what the season has in store this is going to be one hell of a ride.
