It’s been a wild offseason in college football as NIL and eligibility issues have dominated the headlines. And now they season has started and we’re back to some great football and amazing finishes. Here are some observations from week 1:
Michigan isn’t very good
Everyone is talking about the wild finish where Western Michigan was robbed of an upset victory in the Big House after a second was put back on the clock after a bizarre and controvesial replay process. But the bigger story is that Michigan looks like a mess. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood looks terrible, which is a real problem for Michigan after the millions in NIL money they paid to get him to Michigan. The kid just doesn’t look like a quarterback as his throwing motion looks terrible. Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham has already implied that they might make a change if Underwood can’t turn it around. So there’s a code red in Michigan, and there’s no amount of hype or BS that clowns like David Portnoy can spew out to change that reality.
LSU dominates Clemson
Everyone might hate Lane Kiffin, but the guy knows how to assemle a roster and coach. After LSU destroyed Clemson, he drew quite a distinction between him and Dabo Swinney, who seems to have completely lost it in the NIL are. What a contrast. Lane Kiffin will do anything to win, while Dabo is holding to his principles and beliefs like it’s a religion. Was this just one game? We’ll see, because this seems like a trend at Clemson.
Ohio State and Texas roll, setting up a showdown
Both teams had a great first week, talking care of business as they both gear up for their showdown in Texas next Saturday night. Arch Manning looked good for the Longhorns, which is a big deal given his slow start in the opener last year against the Buckeyes.
Julien Sayin also looked great for Ohio State as the Buckeyes showcased some new weapons to compliment Jeremiah Smith. Transfer Devin McCuin looks like the perfect compliment to Smith with his superb route running, and freshman Legend Bey had fans and commentators comparing him to Reggie Bush and Percy Harvin. It should be a great game next week.
Miami looks tough
The Miami Hurricanes are back. After a long absence from the top tier of college football, the Canes look poised to make the playoff again this season. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah looks fantastic as Miami seems to have perfected the startegy of bringing in a transfer quarterback every season. Meanwhile, Malachi Toney is one of the few players in the coversation with Jeremiah Smith as the best player in college football.
This should shape up as a great college football season with 7-10 teams having a legitimate shot at winning the title.
