Week 1 of the college football season showed me enough to feel at least halfway good about my updated rankings.
I have a few questions about some of the title favorites, and I’m sure the fans of those teams do too.
Also, I feel better about Texas than Ohio State going into their Week 2 matchup.
Ranking time.
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To do CFP: +134
Title Odds: +2500
I have my questions about the Tide this season, but against overmatched ECU, Bama had little trouble. It was 38-10 at halftime and Keelon Russell had 342 yards (86 rushing). Two conference games and a visit from Florida State await and then we’ll continue to learn if this season will be a special one in Tuscaloosa.
9.
To do CFP: +160
Title Odds: +2800
We didn’t expect UTEP to do much and they didn’t. John Mateer was solid, and the defense simply suffocated an absolutely incredible opponent. After what we saw from Michigan’s offense on Saturday night, OU’s defense should be licking its chops. Last year, the Sooners limited the Wolverines to 13 points and Bryce Underwood was 9-for-24 passing for 142 yards.
8.
To do CFP: -310
Title Odds: +950
IU was never seriously threatened, but the final score was a bit deceiving, as the Hoosiers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. North Texas did as good a job as it could, controlling the ball for 37 minutes, but Turbo Richard and Charlie Becker made the big plays to keep IU within comfortable range despite an inconsistent running game.
7.
To do CFP: -750
Title Odds: +610
We don’t expect every team to come out and be their best in the first game, but the Irish showed some cracks in the first half. Their TD came on a 13-yard drive after a fumble recovery that should have been overturned by VAR, and Wisconsin had some success on offense. Notre Dame cleaned up a good chunk of it in the second half and pulled away, but I do have some concerns about the offense after losing two big backs and its continued search for a game break at WR. Good thing the Irish have plenty of time to get there before the trip to BYU.
6.
To do CFP: -300
Title Odds: +950
The Ducks came out looking like a team that might have heard how good it was and thought it needed to beat Boise State. Well, it didn’t work out that way. Oregon was sloppy and undisciplined, committing 10 penalties. There was a time when I honestly thought Boise was going to get the outright win, but Dante Moore delivered a big game every time the Ducks needed an answer in the second half. Boise is definitely better than me and the odds gave him credit, but Duck fans should be a little alarmed with that performance.
5.
To do CFP: -125
Title Odds: +1400
I’m not sure the final score was indicative of how big this game was. The first down was 38-8. Clemson was 1 for 13 on third down. Total yards were 644-145. The teams looked like they were playing different sports. Clemson could turn out to be a very bad team, but what LSU did to a Power 4 opponent should be respected this week, as many other teams attacked G6 teams.
4.
To do CFP: -290
Title Odds: +720
So much for Georgia never covering a big number. This was as ugly as it had to be. Georgia also played 120 guys, so it was a nice touch to have so many guys get into a real game. The September 26th game against Oklahoma is looking great.
3.
To do CFP: -500
Title Odds: +550
The Buckeyes did what they had to do as 50-point favorites. Jeremiah Smith responded to Malachi Toney’s crazy effort Friday with a big game of his own, and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin looked like he would have a big role on offense. Unlike last year, both Ohio State and Texas have a game under their belts before the matchup, and this isn’t one of the first starts of the starting QBs’ careers. The eyes of the college football world will indeed be on Austin on Saturday night.
2.
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To do CFP: -430
Title Odds: +900
Watching that game Friday night reminded me of watching the 2001 Canes open at Penn State. Miami was knocked out of the BCS in 2000, returned to the team’s majority in 2001, went to State College and put on a performance that basically said, “Last year we screwed up and this year they’re all going to pay.” The Stanford effort told me Miami wants to leave no doubt this time. However, there may be doubt as to who will be Miami’s top Heisman candidate – QB Darian Mensah or WR Malachi Toney.
1.
To do CFP: -230
Title Odds: +650
The Longhorns did everything they wanted offensively against the gun-ridden Texas State. Arch Manning looks like he’ll have quite the experience with Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman at wide receiver. I debated whether I should put Texas here, but I said why not? If the Longhorns beat Ohio State in Week 2, they’ll go to No. 1 anyway.
