What we learned Week 1

[WinOne]

The ACC may be even worse than last year, which I suspected would be nearly impossible since they were horrific last year.

Agreed. Sad thing is Fla St struggled against Okie St and now will breeze though the ACC untested. It would have been very interesting to see what would have happened had the OSU QB not fumbled late in the 4th Q when he got hit low and got flipped. Cause they came right back down and scored with ease. FSU defense did not look very good.

 

[MackDonald]

But for a few of those third and long (dropped passes) by the WVU receivers that should have been caught, the Alabama/WVA game could have ended up a lot closer than the final score indicated. The Mountaineers did come to play....... thought they looked decent. Alabama: Their Roster is loaded...perhaps too loaded.
Playing-time discontent is always a factor.

 

[ofred]

Top 25 teams that played FCS teams, that are not the few very good ones like ND St, really are hard to gauge. They won a blowout, but against that kind of competition(slower, smaller, weaker, much less talented), what did we just see? Did some of these FCS teams mail it in just for a paycheck? Did the FBS team show almost nothing of their playbook? I think we'll see some of these FBS teams struggle, after playing a cream puff, due to overconfidence and a drastic change in game speed. Other teams did all they could do and blew out their weak opponent with minimal effort, and will be ready to play a quality team.

North Carolina seemed less than dominant vs. Liberty. Oregon easily ran the ball, but may not have the passing game or defense needed to cover big spreads vs. tough competition. South Dakota was awful, really awful on defense- but at times moved the ball well vs. Oregon's D. 370 yards and 19 FDs. Others pulled their starters for the entire 2nd half after building a huge 1st half lead.

 

[Flsunman]

The problem with Saban's defenses is he uses 250 linebackers and 300+ pound defensive lineman that are ready made for the NFL. But can't chase around no huddle offenses all game. Especially with no substitution. He's got a real dilemma on his hands against these new spreads in the SEC.

It really comes down destroying the LOS on first down. Bama will be fine, but I do think their corners are weak for a Bama team.

 

[SharpSquare]

I've learned from many years of doing this not to get too carried away with week one. Those were games that teams prepared all summer for. Now week 2 is another story...

This is spot on.

 

[russ1945]

Don't get too carried away with OSU.

Didn't say I was. They did exceed expectations. By the same token don't think that will be their best effort of the season either. They could cause some havoc in the Big 12. That RB is in the mold of Sanders and his potential if off the chart.

 

[smartmoneyfollower]

" Bama rolled up 500 yards of offense...but couldn't manage to score at will (QB execution, IMO. Kiffin called a good game)."

Did you notice how Saban was hawking Kiffin the entire game. I get the impression that he is not willing to let Kiffin open up the offense the way Kiffin might if Saban was not hawking him. That shows me Saban will not relinquish his hold on Kiffin. Saban still is conservative. He will not admit that you can open up your offense more and become less predictable. He is all about defense but it is obvious that wide open offenses expose his defense and at the very least wear it down. Look at Baylor last night. Their defense was aggressive the entire game. That defense practices against their offense all the time. They are in top physical condition and also mentally conditioned for fast paced offenses. Opening up his offense could allow Saban's defense to do the same.
The SEC has changed from a trench oriented defensive approach to an athletic conditioned skilled player defensive approach. DB's are more important than ever as is the ability to pressure a QB who is not a statue.

To me the star of that game was Kevin White , he was unstopible

 

[GoSooners]

It really comes down destroying the LOS on first down. Bama will be fine, but I do think their corners are weak for a Bama team.

I don't think Bama is going to win any championships with Sams at QB. They may not win the west. Eventually he's going to have to start throwing it accurately down the field against the better defenses in the SEC. Beyond 10 yards he throws more passes in the dirt than he does on target. What Bama could get away with 4 or 5 years ago with a below average or mediocre QB and a good running game, I don't believe they can do anymore.

 

[GoSooners]

Didn't say I was. They did exceed expectations. By the same token don't think that will be their best effort of the season either. They could cause some havoc in the Big 12. That RB is in the mold of Sanders and his potential if off the chart.

I'm not a big JW Walsh fan. When they get into conference play, I'm betting he's going to go back to having problems again completing the ball down field. But we'll see. They have surprised before with an inexperienced team. Of course they had a better QB back then...

 

[CoachCB]

It really comes down destroying the LOS on first down. Bama will be fine, but I do think their corners are weak for a Bama team.

Bama starting CB out for 4 weeks (SR Jarrick Williams):

http://espn.go.com/college-football...arters-jarrick-williams-deandrew-white-injury

 

[BernieVegas]

I learned that Coach Anderson of Wisconsin is a f'n joke. There had better be something wrong with QB Stave because the jackass he put in to start at QB couldn't QB the local high school. An average QB would have drilled LSU a new asshole but That QB was a dud...and the best running back in the country Gordon only getting two touches after getting up 24-7 speaks volumes of the Badger coaching staff...

i learned some of the major programs may be in trouble this year. They didn't look sharp and efficient at all. Florida State (but Ok State isn't chopped liver), Alabama, LSU, and UCLA just to name a few struggled.

I learned that Iowa State should drop football lmao


Yours in Winners
BernieV

 

[WinOne]

I don't mean this to be funny, but what do you consider better defenses in the SEC. Last couple of years, SEC defenses, while they have big bodies, have been less than stellar. Unless you count what they do against UK or Florida who have had offensive issues. Or Miss St before Prescott took over at QB.

 

[WinOne]

Eventually he's going to have to start throwing it accurately down the field against the better defenses in the SEC. Beyond 10 yards he throws more passes in the dirt than he does on target.

I don't mean this to be funny, but what do you consider better defenses in the SEC. Last couple of years, SEC defenses, while they have big bodies, have been less than stellar. Unless you count what they do against UK or Florida who have had offensive issues. Or Miss St before Prescott took over at QB

 

[SundayTiger]

I think the CFB media are over-buying stock in Georgia.

-3 point game at the end of the third
-Clemson QB was playing in his first road start
-One of the UGA TDs was a KO return
-Hutson Mason's numbers were pedestrian and he wasnt forced into making pressure throws as the running game was dominate. Won't always be the case in the SEC week in and week out.

 

[CoachCB]

I think the CFB media are over-buying stock in Georgia.

-3 point game at the end of the third
-Clemson QB was playing in his first road start
-One of the UGA TDs was a KO return
-Hutson Mason's numbers were pedestrian and he wasnt forced into making pressure throws as the running game was dominate. Won't always be the case in the SEC week in and week out.

I'll give you that UGA may be getting over-hyped. The Mason comment I don't buy...just yet. When your running game is dominating why throw the ball? Sure, he'll have to throw it this year when it counts. But the ole saying, "You run to set up the pass" will hold true. I imagine he'll put up some numbers.....when need be. But why throw it excessively when it's not necessary?

 

[ThaDude]

Did anyone watch the Bowling Green/Western Kentucky game? Please shed some light if you did.

Trying to wrap my mind around how they let someone rack up almost 600 yards passing and 6 TD's on what was a solid Defense last year.

 

[Albatross]

I think the CFB media are over-buying stock in Georgia.

-3 point game at the end of the third
-Clemson QB was playing in his first road start
-One of the UGA TDs was a KO return
-Hutson Mason's numbers were pedestrian and he wasnt forced into making pressure throws as the running game was dominate. Won't always be the case in the SEC week in and week out.

UGA gave up -19 yards in the 4Q.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Did anyone watch the Bowling Green/Western Kentucky game? Please shed some light if you did.

Trying to wrap my mind around how they let someone rack up almost 600 yards passing and 6 TD's on what was a solid Defense last year.

New coaching staff at BGSU.

 

[RunLeeRun]

Big Ten edition:

Iowa needed about a 16-4 penalty advantage to beat No. Iowa. LB's got abused in the passing game. Rudock looked solid, running game looks ho-hum. Only 1 game, but I did expect more. @ Pitt looms...

Wisconsin: Finally announced what some of us thought, Stave isn't right. Otherwise you don't play a converted safety at QB over a 2 year starter. McEvoy not a good passer. Gordon is a damn good running back but I'm not buying him as the best in the country...or even the conference for that matter. Wisconsin's line open's so many holes, he just has to run through them. They should be able to manage most of their schedule, though.... secondary, has questions.

Ohio St: growing pains....Vtech game will tell us a lot more.

Nebraska: Only FAU, but did what they were supposed to do: 784 yards. Offense looked really good. Still a very young football team, but there is a high ceiling. Probably the most Balanced team in Pelini tenure. Punt return game was still bad, and now the kick coverage looked bad. No turnovers, was a first in 26 games. Ameer Abdullah will start to get more national attention, he may be the most complete offensive player in the conference.

Maryland: I saw nothing to dissuade me from thinking they will surprise some teams in the East.

Michigan: Need to ride the Funchess train. Absolute freak. Did what they were supposed to, beat up and FCS team. Next week we see if they can finally run the ball.

Michigan St: weren't tested

Northwestern: this is a team that's reeling..... if they don't implode it will be Fitzgerald's best coaching job.