Bo Nix’s heroics, Mack Brown’s return, Justin Fields’ 5-TD debut high wild Week 1
Oh, what a Saturday it was for all of the SEC haters, all the parents so gleefully watching every subsequent embarrassment with thumbs tapping away on Twitter, unleashing one other wave of insults because the mighty fell.
North Carolina, 2-9 final season, rallies to high South Carolina. Should’ve been that grueling month of camp going up towards SEC follow squads that wore down the Gamecocks.
Georgia State, 2-10 in 2018, pulls one of the crucial stunning upsets in current SEC historical past, upending Tennessee. Guess the Vols ought to’ve employed any of the 46 different coaches they interviewed earlier than Jeremy Pruitt.
Ole Miss falls to Memphis? Missouri comes up brief towards Wyoming? Arduous to fault them. They most likely simply weren’t all that into successful these video games. In any case, typically it simply means … not that a lot.
The SEC makes it really easy, with all of the chest-thumping and rah-rah convention superiority, so it is exhausting to fault all of the doormats in Pac-12 nation or the little brothers within the ACC for gloating.
After which Auburn has to go and damage everyone’s enjoyable. Why, Bo Nix? Have you ever no humorousness?
2 Associated
No, Week 1 was not a great one for the preeminent convention in school soccer. Kelly Bryant was alleged to make Missouri a contender, however he cannot play protection. South Carolina’s schedule is brutal, however the date with supposedly over-the-hill Mack Brown was alleged to be a straightforward win. Now a bowl recreation seems to be like an extended shot. The juice Wealthy Rodriguez managed to create for Ole Miss? An enormous, fats zero within the first half. And Tennessee. Oh, Tennessee. Bless your coronary heart.
Even a handful of the wins have been lower than encouraging. Florida hardly appeared like a top-10 workforce in its escape act towards Miami. Arkansas narrowly edged FCS Portland State. Kentucky and Mississippi State struggled to tug away from lesser competitors, too. Alabama had a lackluster first half towards Duke, and Georgia had a bummer of a second half towards Vandy. Lengthy story brief, it is not going to be a enjoyable week of follow for many SEC gamers.
After which there’s Auburn.
Nix, the true freshman legacy, received his first begin and appeared shaky early, solely to ship an absolute intestine punch on the Tigers’ closing drive. His landing go to safe the win with simply 9 seconds to play was one thing to behold, from the gutsy play name by Gus Malzahn to let his freshman sling it despite the fact that the Tigers have been properly into field-goal territory, to the boldness Nix confirmed in his receiver to high-point a ball and are available down with the catch. It is simple to shut your eyes and envision a day, three months into the longer term, when all of the speaking heads are reminiscing about how that throw turned Auburn right into a professional contender.
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Bo Nix flings a 26-yard landing to Seth Williams to place Auburn up 27-21 with 9 seconds remaining.
It may go the opposite method, in fact. Auburn beat Washington final 12 months in a equally hard-fought recreation, and the tip end result was a mediocre season that included an unsightly loss to Tennessee. So possibly historical past repeats itself. Possibly.
For now although, the SEC can flip the web page on its worst week in years with the information that it has Auburn and Alabama, LSU and Georgia, Texas A&M and, heck, possibly even Florida, nonetheless carrying water. So what if Wyoming would end third within the SEC East? There is no cause to maintain counting previous No. 2 anyway, and the percentages of the SEC placing a number of groups into the playoff this 12 months did not change a bit with Week 1’s brutality in Knoxville and Laramie and Charlotte.
After all, none of that ought to cease you from laughing at Tennessee both. In any case, it is not every single day Georgia State beats a Energy 5 workforce. Really, there’s by no means been one other day Georgia State beat a Energy 5 workforce. Now that is humorous.
Week 1 purchase, promote, maintain
Purchase: Illinois
OK, so Illini followers most likely needn’t ebook these resort rooms in Pasadena, however Lovie Smith’s workforce posted a dominant 42-Three win over Akron, with former Michigan QB Brandon Peters throwing three landing passes. And whilst you could shrug at a thumping of Akron, Illinois hadn’t overwhelmed an FBS workforce by greater than three touchdowns or had a QB toss three touchdowns in a recreation since 2015. No, Illinois is not successful the Large Ten, however this seems to be like a possible bowl workforce in 2019.
Promote: Fast fixes
Maybe there are higher days forward at Florida State or Tennessee, however an offseason’s price of hopes certain really feel misplaced now. Each Willie Taggart and Jeremy Pruitt aimed to assuage issues following 2018’s five-win campaigns by bringing in new, big-name offensive coordinators, and neither confirmed huge enchancment. With Kendal Briles calling performs, FSU had a strong first half towards Boise State, however its closing 9 drives included seven punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs. Tennessee appeared lifeless below Jim Chaney, with the bottom recreation failing to crack 100 yards. It is a good reminder that coaches will help, however they are not the blokes on the sphere.
Maintain: The Pac-12
Identical to a 12 months in the past, Auburn upended the Pac-12’s highest ranked workforce on a impartial subject in Week 1. In 2018, that almost ended any hopes for a playoff berth on the West coast, however this 12 months feels just a little totally different. Utah received off to a powerful begin with a win over BYU. Washington appeared sharp working in a bevy of latest faces towards FCS Jap Washington. USC may power its method into the combination, too. So yeah, there was the brutal finish for the Geese and a few terrible losses for Arizona and UCLA and a few ugly performances by Stanford and Cal, however the season is not over. But.
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports activities
Purchase: True freshmen QBs
Years from now, it’s going to appear loopy we ever thought beginning a real freshman quarterback was a foul factor. From Trevor Lawrence to Jake Fromm, there’s historical past now that means you cannot solely win with a freshman, you possibly can win huge, and on Saturday, there have been loads of fireworks from the brand new youngsters. Boise State’s Hank Bachmeier waltzed into Tallahassee and completely demolished Florida State’s protection, throwing 51 occasions for 407 yards and a landing. In the meantime, Sam Howell (as soon as a Florida State commit) led an enormous second-half comeback for North Carolina, ending with 245 go yards and two touchdowns, and Arizona State’s Jayden Daniels threw for 284 yards and accounted for 3 touchdowns in a win over Kent State.
After which there’s Bo Nix, who struggled early, however ended the sport with the largest TD go within the final 5 years for Auburn, a lob into the palms of Seth Williams with 9 seconds to play. The lone loss by a real freshman belongs to Brett Gabbert at Miami (OH), who really appeared fairly good towards Iowa, throwing for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Promote: Dan Mullen as the perfect previous man dancer in school soccer
Mullen’s strikes throughout a Week 1 win final 12 months gave hope to middle-aged guys in all places, however they pale compared to Mack Brown’s capacity to get jiggy with it. Ever surprise what your grandfather would appear like at a Bruno Mars live performance? Marvel no extra. (Additionally, did Mack throw just a little Macarena in there? Good.)
Mack Brown, the legendary coach with legendary strikes 🕺 pic.twitter.com/OgF4KDs1Vk
— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2019
Week 1 on the sportsbook
Hunter Johnson wanted to make a play to present Northwestern an opportunity at a win, however bettors on the Wildcats (6.5-point underdogs) want he’d have simply taken a knee. With lower than a minute to play and Northwestern trailing by three, Johnson was sacked and fumbled at his personal, and Stanford’s Jordan Fox recovered in the long run zone to safe a 17-7 Cardinal win. Worse, a Northwestern lineman had a great shot on the fumble, which had he recovered would’ve resulted in a security — and a 1.5-point cowl for the Wildcats.
There most likely weren’t too many people with Georgia State money-line tickets, however boy oh boy did it pay out huge. The Panthers’ outright win paid 12-to-1. Previous to that recreation, SEC groups favored by at the very least 24 factors have been 129-Four previously 15 seasons.
The over/below for Iowa State and Northern Iowa was a paltry 42 at William Hill US, however the two groups nonetheless did not come near hitting the whole in regulation. After 60 minutes, they have been tied at 13. Sadly for below bettors, three overtimes adopted, and Iowa State prevailed 29-26, making the ultimate whole was 55. One other line on our lengthy record of causes bets needs to be official on the finish of regulation.
Alabama lined the first-half unfold in its first 10 video games final season, going into the locker room up a median margin of 29 factors. Since then although, the Tide have gotten off to some shaky begins and are simply 1-5 towards the unfold. They went to the half tied with the Citadel at 10 (critically, that occurred), led Auburn by simply three in final 12 months’s Iron Bowl, trailed Georgia by seven within the SEC title recreation and, in fact, have been getting thumped 31-16 towards Clemson within the nationwide championship recreation. Saturday, the Tide have been favored by 23 within the first half towards Duke, however have been up simply 14-Three on the midpoint. The second halves, nevertheless, have gone much better.
Strains courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
UGA/Clemson QB energy rankings
Jamie Sabau/Getty Photographs
1. Justin Fields: In his Ohio State debut, the previous Georgia QB who (in ESPN’s rankings) additionally edged out Trevor Lawrence as 2018’s high recruit, Fields dominated FAU, accounting for 295 yards and 5 touchdowns.
2. Trevor Lawrence: He did not do a lot along with his arm in a win over Georgia Tech, however Lawrence did present he can run just a little, which needs to be a enjoyable little wrinkle for defensive coordinators to contemplate this season.
Three. Jacob Eason: Positive, the opponent wasn’t nice, however you possibly can’t ask for a significantly better debut than Eason’s 349 yards and 4 touchdowns. Plus with Jake Haener asserting a switch, Eason now accounts for 50% of the Jakes within the QB room.
Four. Jake Fromm: After a quick begin, the Georgia offense hit the skids within the second half towards Vandy, although the Bulldogs nonetheless received with ease. Fromm threw for simply 156 yards, the bottom whole of his profession in a recreation the place he threw greater than 20 passes.
5. Kelly Bryant: He really performed fairly properly — throwing for 423 yards, working for 20 extra and tossing two touchdowns — however you possibly can’t lose to Wyoming.
6. Zerrick Cooper: Bryant’s former backup at Clemson went 40-of-52 for Jacksonville State however threw two picks and misplaced 35-14.
7. Hunter Johnson: Clemson’s different No. 1-ranked QB recruit turned the ball over thrice and was benched at one level. Higher days forward for Johnson, however his debut wasn’t an important one.
Heisman high 5
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson
Maybe we have been spending an excessive amount of time hyping that different Clemson Heisman contender. Etienne was a beast within the Tigers’ opener, working for 205 yards and three touchdowns on simply 12 carries in a win over Georgia Tech. Etienne had landing runs of 48, 14 and 90, which tied a college report for the longest scoring run.
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Travis Etienne runs for 3 touchdowns and 205 yards because the Tigers deal with Georgia Tech in Week 1.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Duke was no match for Alabama, to nobody’s shock. However the Blue Devils even have a fairly strong secondary, and Tagovailoa completely torched the Blue Devils, with only one extra incompletion (5) than touchdowns (4).
Three. Justin Fields, Ohio State
5 touchdowns in his debut was fairly good. And let’s not neglect, Kyler Murray received his Heisman marketing campaign began with the same efficiency towards FAU final 12 months.
Four. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Sixteen carries, 134 yards, two touchdowns. Not too shabby for a non-Etienne working again.
5. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Most likely not an important signal to your Heisman marketing campaign when a QB’s finest spotlight is a sort out, however credit score the place it is due: Lawrence’s take-down of Tre Swilling to avoid wasting a landing was fairly darned spectacular. Total although, Lawrence’s line — 13-of-23 for 168 yards, two whole touchdowns and two picks — is not the perfect begin to the season.
Head-scratcher calls of the week
1. The numbers nerds will all inform you that punting is for losers, that coaches ought to go for it on fourth down virtually on a regular basis. David Shaw isn’t a numbers nerd. Early within the second quarter, Okay.J. Costello took a sack for a lack of Three yards. That left Stanford with a fourth-and-10 on the Northwestern 34. Final 12 months, groups transformed fourth-and-10 about 39 p.c of the time. Groups starting a drive between the 30- and 35-yard line scored about 38 p.c of the time. What did Shaw do? Punted. Into the tip zone. For a touchback.
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2. Mack Brown, however, wasn’t in to punting on fourth down. He did not go for it both, as UNC appeared to safe an upset of South Carolina. No, the Tar Heels took a knee on fourth down at midfield with 11 seconds to play, instantly stopping the clock and altering possession. The transfer clearly showcased Brown’s experience from his time within the TV sales space, including only a bit extra drama on the finish of the sport. By no means decide up the clicker when Brown’s calling performs.
Three. Boise State scored on a seven-play, 69-yard drive to shut the hole towards Florida State to 31-26. The Seminoles’ protection desperately wanted a breather. As a substitute, Kendal Briles known as for 2 deep balls — each of which fell incomplete. James Blackman was sacked on third down, Florida State punted, and the Broncos scored on the following drive — and by no means relinquished the lead.
Honorable point out: USC had a 60-yard kick return negated to open its recreation towards Fresno State as a result of there have been two gamers on the sphere carrying a No. 7 jersey.
@SECOfficiating remark of the week
We’re just a little disillusioned by the dearth of tweets from the brand new SEC Officiating account on Twitter, however we’ll by no means be disillusioned by the replies. Saturday’s favourite grievance featured a questionable roughing the passer name towards Ole Miss, and let’s simply say it did not take followers lengthy to chime in.
You might have already altered the Ole Miss vs Memphis recreation… its solely the first quarter
— Evan Foster (@EvanFos06508829) August 31, 2019
Underneath-the-radar win of the week
Cincinnati Christian is an NAIA college that performed its first soccer recreation in 2016. Within the three years since, the Eagles have been a mixed Zero-33. Final 12 months, they misplaced 9 of their 11 video games by at the very least 38 factors, together with a 73-Zero, 73-7 and 70-14 defeat. However you possibly can’t preserve a great NAIA college down for lengthy, and Cincinnati Christian lastly snapped the skid on Saturday, toppling mighty (we’re guessing) Warner College (which, seems, is in Florida), 20-17, behind 271 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Derrick Taylor.
“Our guys have overcome lots of adversity and have continued to work,” stated head coach (and former West Virginia Mountaineer) Trevor Zeiders. “They’ve labored and gotten higher, and battled by all of it. I can not say sufficient about them. Their management, their will, and their perseverance has been nice.”
Underneath-the-radar play of the week
Within the grand scheme of issues, the play meant little. Virginia Tech’s Zion Debose took a handoff and was stuffed for a lack of a yard. On the sort out have been Boston School defenders Marcus Valdez and Richard Yeargin. If that title sounds acquainted, that’d be the identical Richard Yeargin who appeared destined to be one other within the lengthy line of nice Clemson defensive ends when he signed with the Tigers in 2014, the identical class that included Deshaun Watson. However in the summertime of 2017, a automobile accident resulted in a damaged neck, and Yeargin’s soccer profession appeared over. Two years later, nevertheless, he was again on the sphere at BC, a medical marvel, and was in on his first sort out for loss since Nov. 19, 2016.
Mountain Greatest
The American likes to name itself the sixth member of the Energy 5, however the title may really belong to the Mountain West. How’s this for a begin to the season? Hawaii tops Arizona in Week Zero. Nevada pulls off a stunner on Friday towards Purdue. Boise State dominates the second half to beat Florida State in Tallahassee. And Wyoming stuns Missouri in Laramie. Wake Forest’s final-minute magic additionally proved to be the one factor maintaining Utah State from including a fifth win over a Energy 5 opponent for the Mountain West. UCLA, Oregon State and Oregon is likely to be a bit nervous for his or her Week 2 video games now, too.
Aged to perfection
The eight Energy 5 coaches aged 60 or older went a mixed 7-1 in Week 1, with the one loss (David Cutcliffe) coming to a different senior (Nick Saban). The wins included victories for Brown and Kansas’ Les Miles, each making their debuts with new packages after years out of the sport. And whereas the older coaches within the Group of 5 did not do fairly so properly, school soccer’s oldest head coach, Ohio’s Frank Solich, cruised to a 41-20 win over Rhode Island.
The place’s the G?
Reminder to followers in all places: Should you’ve painted your chest, you possibly can’t simply get lost for extra nachos any time you are feeling prefer it. It is known as being a great teammate.
Best sport. pic.twitter.com/GMbHFvDh6S
— David Ubben (@davidubben) September 1, 2019
You’ll be able to’t go residence once more
Two years in the past, Idaho made the uncommon resolution to go away FBS and drop down a stage to FCS. Since then, the Vandals have performed three video games towards FBS groups and it has not gone properly. On Saturday, Penn State performed the function of tormenter, demolishing Idaho 79-7. That comes after the Vandals misplaced final 12 months to Fresno State (79-13) and Florida (63-10). So, in three video games, Idaho has allowed 221 factors to FBS opponents. In that very same span, seven present FBS groups have allowed much less, all enjoying at the very least 11 video games towards different FBS opponents, together with Clemson, which has surrendered simply 204 in 15 such video games.