My Thoughts from the Weekend 9/11/23
What a great weekend of football with some major marquee games in college football and the opening weekend of the NFL. Here is what stood out to me from the weekend:
College Football
Texas upsets Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Texas ended Alabama’s 21 game home winning streak with 34-24 victory over the Crimson Tide. Vegas had the Longhorns as the underdog but after watching the first quarter, I thought it was obvious that Texas was the better team. The Texas defensive line harassed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe sacking him 5 times and forcing him to throw 2 crucial interceptions. Quinn Ewers was spectacular throwing for 349 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 turnovers. The difference in the game was the fourth quarter. After Alabama took their first lead of the game to end the third quarter, Texas answered right back less than a minute later with a touchdown to regain the lead, then an interception that set up another touchdown to set up a touchdown on the next play. Texas outscored Alabama 21-8 in the fourth quarter, giving Nick Saban his worst home loss since he’s been at Alabama. Texas looked very good especially on both sides of the line of scrimmage. When you compare teams from previous years that made the playoff and competed for national championships, the two things that always stand out to me is their quarterback play and their defense. If Texas gets that kind of production from Ewers and their defense all year, I think they are going to win the Big XII and make the playoff. I can see the Horns maybe dropping a game at some point in the season but that victory over Alabama gives them some leeway with the CFP committee when it comes to the selection process. So far through two weeks of the season, the Longhorns win at Alabama is the most impressive win and the AP poll voters agreed moving the Longhorns up to #4 this week. The best teams I’ve seen so far are Georgia, Michigan, Florida State, and USC. The AP poll agrees as that is the exact order of the rankings.
Miami gets a big victory over Texas A&M
In a highly anticipated matchup between a pair of teams that went 5-7 a year ago, both teams expect to be better this year, and this was a benchmark game. The Hurricanes came out victorious in front of the home crowd with a 48-33 victory. Miami outscored the Aggies 27-16 in the second half. Offensively Texas A&M was able to move the football and it appears they are definitely improved on that side of the ball from last year but 3 turnovers and a kickoff return for a touchdown from Miami was the difference. The Aggies get ULM at home next week but then their next 4 games are: Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, and at Tennessee. Those 4 games will determine the season for A&M and maybe Jimbo Fisher’s future in College Station. Miami looks to be a contender in a very difficult ACC, along with Florida State and North Carolina.
Colorado continues to impress
After a slow start, Colorado finally found their rhythm against Nebraska scoring 13 points in the final 4 minutes of the first half and carried that over into the second half beating the Cornhuskers 36-14. Coach Prime and the Buffaloes are going to be a problem in the Pac-12 (the best conference in college football right now). Colorado has now moved up to #18 in the AP poll. The Buffaloes host Colorado State next week but then travel to Oregon before hosting USC, so we are about to find out how good this team really is.
Texas Tech and Baylor start off the season 0-2
For two teams that were hoping to compete for a Big XII title this year, they could not imagine being 0-2 to start the season. Both teams had better performances at home in week 2 but both of them found a way to lose in the final minutes. Baylor losing to Utah and Texas Tech losing to Oregon. Baylor hosts Long Island next week before opening conference play against Texas in Waco. Texas Tech hosts Tarleton State next week then travel to West Virginia to start Big XII play. There is still time for both programs to get it turned around and make some noise in the Big XII.
USC is good … very good
Caleb Williams is on his way to becoming the second player ever to win the Heisman trophy twice. On Saturday against Stanford he was 19 of 21 for 281 yards passing with 3 touchdowns through the air and another one on the ground. The Trojans lead 49-3 at halftime and Williams didn’t even play in the second half. Lincoln Riley has that offense humming. USC plays at Colorado in three weeks, that game is setting up to be a must watch.
NFL
The Dallas Cowboys dominated the New York Football Giants 40-0 in New York. The Cowboys defense looked like the best defense in the league sacking Daniel Jones 7 times on their way to pitching a shutout. They host Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets next week. Rodges is undefeated at AT&T Stadium but my early prediction is that streak comes to an end next Sunday.
Along with the Cowboys, the 49ers and the Eagles are by far the best teams in the NFC. It is going to interesting to see these 3 teams compete the next 16 weeks to see which one will get the #1 seed and receive a first round bye in the playoffs. Keep an eye on the Rams though, if Matthew Stafford stays healthy, they could potentially find themselves in the mix as well.
The AFC looks to be wide open after the 2 favorites for the AFC crown lost their openers. The Chiefs fell to the Lions in Kansas City and the Bengals were dominated by the Browns in Cleveland. The Ravens, Dolphins, and Jaguars also looked impressive with all 3 securing victories in week 1. The New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills tonight on Monday Night Football, I expect both teams to be towards the top of the AFC as well.