Energy rankings: Prime 25 groups within the nation after the primary week of motion
The primary full weekend of the 2019 season is within the books, and 5 straight days of school soccer confirmed a lot of our preseason beliefs, whereas dousing the summerlong hopes and goals of some fan bases across the nation.
Six groups — Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State and LSU — appear to be the cream of the crop, a minimum of after one week.
Auburn, Boise State and Wisconsin had been among the many massive surprises.
Florida State, Missouri, Tennessee and UCLA had been among the many disappointments.
Listed below are the ESPN Energy Rankings after Week 1:
Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled a bit throughout defending nationwide champion Clemson’s opener, throwing two interceptions in a 52-14 rout of Georgia Tech. However reigning ACC Participant of the 12 months Travis Etienne picked up the place he left off, working 12 instances for 205 yards with three touchdowns. Remarkably, the Tigers have averaged extra yards on Etienne’s runs (eight.6) than Lawrence’s passes (eight.2) in the course of the previous two seasons, in line with ESPN Stats & Data.
Up subsequent: vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, Three:30 p.m., ABC)
Travis Etienne rushed 12 instances for 205 yards and three touchdowns in Clemson’s season-opening win. Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire
Even with out linebacker Dylan Moses, who’s sidelined for the season with a knee damage, the Crimson Tide’s protection appeared as dominant as ever in a 42-Three victory over Duke in Atlanta. The Blue Devils had solely 204 yards of offense with 11 first downs and turned the ball over thrice. Freshman linebackers Christian Harris and Shane Lee every had six tackles of their first profession begins.
Up subsequent: vs. New Mexico State (Saturday, Four p.m. ET, SECN)
The Bulldogs misplaced their high six pass-catchers from 2018, and quarterback Jake Fromm did an excellent job of spreading the ball round in a 30-6 win at Vanderbilt. Six gamers caught two passes in Georgia’s 14th straight win over an SEC East opponent, and Demetris Robertson and Matt Landers emerged as big-play threats. New offensive coordinator James Coley used the identical recipe, nonetheless, because the Bulldogs ran 40 instances for 323 yards with two touchdowns.
Up subsequent: vs. Murray State (Saturday, Four p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Not less than one delusion was buried this previous weekend: that Alabama switch Jalen Hurts would not throw the ball effectively sufficient to flourish in Lincoln Riley’s system. Hurts accomplished 20 of 23 passes for 332 yards with three touchdowns — whereas working 16 instances for 176 yards with three extra scores — in a 49-31 victory over Houston. His 508 yards of whole offense had been the fifth-highest whole in OU historical past. Much more spectacular: OU’s protection, which ranked useless final within the FBS in go protection in 2018, held Houston’s D’Eriq King to 167 passing yards in new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s debut.
Up subsequent: vs. South Dakota (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
2 Associated
Georgia switch Justin Fields’ first sport at Ohio State went in addition to might be anticipated, as he handed for 4 touchdowns and ran for one more in a 45-21 victory over Florida Atlantic. Fields accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 234 yards and led the Buckeyes to touchdowns on the primary 4 possessions, earlier than the OSU offense sputtered within the second half. Fields was extraordinarily environment friendly when he had time within the pocket, finishing 15 of 16 passes when he wasn’t pressured. He figures to get a a lot stiffer check from Cincinnati’s protection this week.
Up subsequent: vs. Cincinnati (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ABC)
6. LSU (1-Zero)
The Tigers’ new hurry-up, no-huddle unfold offense was a welcome sight for long-suffering LSU followers in a 55-Three rout of Georgia Southern. Quarterback Joe Burrow accomplished 23 of 27 passes for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns with practically all of his manufacturing coming within the first half. The Tigers scored 21 factors within the first and second quarters every — after failing to attain three touchdowns in any quarter in 2018. The Tigers averaged solely Three.7 yards per carry, however new passing sport coordinator Joe Brady saved a number of wrinkles for subsequent week’s journey to Texas.
Up subsequent: at Texas (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Longhorns needed to exchange eight defensive starters from final season’s 10-Four staff, and the early outcomes for coordinator Todd Orlando had been encouraging in a 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech. The Longhorns pitched a shutout for the primary three quarters, compelled three turnovers (a roughing-the-passer penalty negated a fourth turnover, a pick-six) and allowed solely 73 dashing yards. It was an excellent begin with LSU’s high-powered offense coming to Austin subsequent week for what could be the largest nonconference sport since No. 1 Ohio State performed there in 2006.
Up subsequent: vs. LSU (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Wolverines’ new-look unfold offense underneath former Alabama assistant Josh Gattis was a combined bag in a 40-21 win over Center Tennessee. Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson accomplished 17 of 29 passes for 203 yards with three touchdowns, however he fumbled twice. The Wolverines had 453 yards of offense, however they scored solely 13 factors within the second half, when penalties and different miscues thwarted drives. Nonetheless, it was an excellent first step towards modernizing the offense.
Up subsequent: vs. Military (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, FOX)
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Shea Patterson throws three touchdowns as Michigan beats Center Tennessee 40-21.
The Combating Irish overcame a gradual begin at Louisville earlier than pulling away for a 35-17 victory on Monday night time. Notre Dame’s rebuilt protection, which needed to exchange high linebackers Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill from 2018, confirmed some early rising pains, because the Cardinals ran for greater than 200 yards. However the Irish took benefit of three turnovers to open up a 14-point lead within the third quarter, and Louisville’s protection had no reply for his or her stout working sport. The Irish could have an additional week to appropriate their errors earlier than dealing with New Mexico at house on Sept. 14, which is adopted by a showdown at Georgia the following week.
Up subsequent: vs. New Mexico (Sept. 14, 2:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Bo is aware of comebacks. Auburn freshman quarterback Bo Nix ran for a late first down after which fired the profitable 26-yard landing go to Seth Williams with 9 seconds left in a 27-21 victory over Oregon in Arlington, Texas. Nix, whose father, Patrick, performed quarterback for the Tigers from 1992 to ’95, accomplished 13 of 31 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Nix nonetheless has a protracted method to go, however Auburn’s protection is nice sufficient to maintain the Tigers in video games whereas he will get extra comfy and develops as a passer.
Up subsequent: vs. Tulane (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Texas A&M’s protection appeared significantly better within the opener of Jimbo Fisher’s second season, holding overmatched Texas State to eight dashing yards on 15 makes an attempt in a 41-7 win. After intercepting solely seven passes in 13 video games final season, the Aggies picked off 4 of their first sport of 2019. It was Texas A&M’s highest single-game interception whole since 2006. The Aggies determine to get a way more demanding check at No. 1 Clemson subsequent week. Texas A&M practically shocked the Tigers earlier than falling 28-26 in School Station final season.
Up subsequent: at Clemson (Saturday, Three:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
12. Utah (1-Zero)
Utah’s offense was fairly inconsistent within the opener at BYU, however its protection greater than held its personal in a 30-12 victory, its ninth straight victory within the Holy Battle rivalry. Francis Bernard returned an interception 58 yards for a landing, and Julian Blackmon had one other pick-six for the Utes, who compelled three turnovers and held the Cougars to solely 92 dashing yards. Zack Moss, who missed the ultimate 5 video games of 2018 with a knee damage, ran for 187 yards with one rating for the Utes.
Up subsequent: vs. Northern Illinois (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Community)
The lengthy anticipate Georgia switch Jacob Eason is over, and he made essentially the most of his alternative in a 47-14 win over FCS foe Jap Washington. Eason, who hadn’t performed for the reason that 2017 opener at Georgia, when he was injured and misplaced the beginning job to Jake Fromm, accomplished 27 of 36 passes for 349 yards with 4 touchdowns. One concern for the Huskies: All-America heart Nick Harris injured his left knee within the first quarter and sort out Henry Bainivalu is suspended for the primary three video games, in line with coach Chris Petersen.
Up subsequent: vs. California (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
After holding on to beat Miami 24-20 two weeks in the past, the Gators had an open date this previous weekend. They’re going to play UT Martin of the FCS on Saturday, earlier than enjoying back-to-back video games at Kentucky on Sept. 14 and towards Tennessee at house the following week, which could go a great distance in deciding whether or not they’re the staff that may problem Georgia within the SEC East. The Gators determine to pad their defensive stats this week after totaling a whopping 10 sacks towards the Hurricanes.
Up subsequent: vs. UT Martin (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
It would not be smart to learn an excessive amount of into Penn State’s 79-7 rout of Idaho, however the Nittany Lions confirmed they could be quick sufficient and athletic sufficient on protection to problem Ohio State and Michigan within the Huge Ten East. The Nittany Lions restricted the Vandals to solely 5 first downs, 4 dashing yards on 28 makes an attempt and 145 yards of whole offense. Junior defensive finish Yetur Gross-Matos had 2½ sacks and three tackles.
Up subsequent: vs. Buffalo (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
The Badgers rolled over USF, which was alleged to be higher in 2019, with a dominant defensive effort. Wisconsin working again Jonathan Taylor ran for 135 yards with two touchdowns and caught two passes for 48 yards with two scores, outgaining the Bulls by himself, 183-157, in whole yards. The Bulls managed solely 9 first downs and 26 dashing yards on 23 makes an attempt, as Wisconsin appeared just like the early Huge Ten West favourite.
Up subsequent: vs. Central Michigan (Saturday, Three:30 p.m. ET, BTN)
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Jonathan Taylor catches two touchdowns and runs for 2 extra as Wisconsin rolls previous South Florida.
17. UCF (1-Zero)
The Knights do not appear to have quarterback worries after dropping two-time American Athletic Convention Offensive Participant of the 12 months McKenzie Milton to a critical knee damage. In truth, UCF coach Josh Heupel might need a minimum of two choices: Notre Dame graduate switch Brandon Wimbush and freshman Dillion Gabriel, who attended the identical highschool as Milton in Hawaii. The quarterbacks had been greater than environment friendly in a 62-Zero shutout of FCS foe Florida A&M. Wimbush accomplished 12 of 23 passes for 168 yards with two touchdowns; Gabriel was 9-for-13 for 127 yards with three scores.
Up subsequent: at FAU (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
18. Iowa (1-Zero)
The Hawkeyes acquired off to a gradual begin and trailed Miami (Ohio) within the second quarter earlier than pulling away with 4 touchdowns within the second half of a 38-14 victory. An even bigger concern for Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz: the well being of left sort out Alaric Jackson, who left within the first quarter with a proper knee damage. He went to the locker room on crutches and did not return to the sideline for the second half. He will likely be out a number of weeks however will not want surgical procedure. Jackson and junior Tristan Wirfs had been anticipated to be among the many greatest bookend tackles within the FBS.
Up subsequent: vs. Rutgers (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, FS1)
The Orange led the FBS in compelled turnovers with 31 in 2018, which is an enormous cause they received 10 video games in a season for the primary time since 2001. Syracuse compelled 4 extra turnovers in a 24-Zero victory over FCS program Liberty, which had minus-Four dashing yards and allowed eight sacks. Now Syracuse must get rid of its personal errors, as new quarterback Tommy DeVito tossed two interceptions. DeVito accomplished 17 of 35 passes for 176 yards after changing all-time main passer Eric Dungey.
Up subsequent: at Maryland (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Cardinal rode their protection to a 17-7 win over Northwestern, after dropping star quarterback Okay.J. Costello late within the first half. Costello took a shot to the top whereas sliding — the hit someway did not draw a concentrating on penalty — and did not return. With out Costello, Stanford’s offense failed to attain within the second half, however its protection restricted the Wildcats to solely 210 yards, compelled 4 turnovers and recovered a fumble ultimately zone for a landing. Costello’s standing wasn’t instantly identified. The Cardinal hit the meat of their schedule with consecutive highway video games at USC and UCF and residential video games towards Oregon and Washington coming within the subsequent 5 weeks.
Up subsequent: at USC (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Spartans’ issues after Week 1 of 2019 mirror these from 2018, after they scored six factors in three of their final 4 video games throughout a 7-6 marketing campaign. MSU’s protection was dominant in a 28-7 win over Tulsa, holding the Golden Hurricane to minus-73 dashing yards with six sacks, one security and a fumble restoration for a rating. However after driving 73 yards for a landing on its opening possession, MSU’s offense did not rating once more. The Spartans averaged solely 2.7 yards per carry; their working backs (Connor Heyward, La’Darius Jefferson and Elijah Collins) averaged solely 2.2 yards per try.
Up subsequent: vs. Western Michigan (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, BTN)
The Geese had been on the incorrect finish of Nix’s late-game heroics for Auburn in Arlington, Texas, they usually missed out on an opportunity to make an early assertion for the Pac-12. Quarterback Justin Herbert accomplished 28 of 37 passes for 242 yards with one landing, and Oregon’s offensive line held its personal towards the Tigers’ vaunted defensive entrance. However Oregon’s errors allowed Auburn to maintain the rating shut. The Geese dropped a landing go, missed a subject objective and Herbert misplaced a fumbled snap on the Auburn 9. OU coach Mario Cristobal’s sport administration additionally wasn’t nice; he burned two timeouts after Herbert suffered a minor knee damage.
Up subsequent: vs. Nevada (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, PACN)
The Broncos made an early assertion as the very best staff from a Group of 5 league with a shocking 18-point comeback in a 36-31 victory at Florida State. True freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier was roughed up within the first half by FSU’s protection however threw for 407 yards with one landing. He was particularly good on third down, finishing eight of 12 passes for 136 yards. Boise State’s protection restricted the Seminoles to solely 99 dashing yards on 28 carries. After FSU scored its third and closing landing to take a 31-13 lead late within the second quarter, the Seminoles had 46 yards on 32 performs.
Up subsequent: vs. Marshall (Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Cougars quarterback Anthony Gordon threw solely 5 passes as Gardner Minshew’s backup in 2018. You would not have identified it from his efficiency in his first profession begin. He accomplished his first 15 passes and threw for 420 yards with 5 touchdowns earlier than leaving within the third quarter of a 58-7 rout of New Mexico State. Gordon accomplished passes to 9 receivers within the first half and had 330 yards earlier than halftime. It was the third-highest whole in a half for a Washington State quarterback; Connor Halliday had 337 towards Cal in 2014 and Luke Falk had 335 at Arizona in 2015.
Up subsequent: vs. Northern Colorado (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET)
Possibly 12 months 2 underneath Scott Frost will not go as easily as many believed. The Cornhuskers led South Alabama 14-7 on the half, they usually solely put the Jaguars away in a 35-21 win due to two defensive touchdowns and one other rating on particular groups. Quarterback Adrian Martinez accomplished 13 of 22 passes for 178 yards with one interception. Nebraska’s offense was outgained 314-276 in whole yards. The Cornhuskers had solely 66 yards of offense within the second half and ran 44 instances for 98 yards.
Up subsequent: at Colorado (Saturday, Three:30 p.m. ET, FOX)