Jalen Hurts in OU’s offense, Alabama’s younger protection and extra Week 1 first impressions
Invoice ConnellyESPN
Two issues are endlessly true concerning our reactions to the primary week of a faculty soccer season.
1. We all know we should not overreact. We do not have sufficient context to know what’s good and what is not, and a staff’s first impression issues solely till its second. In any case, Week 1 Maryland is darn close to a nationwide title contender annually. Different weeks? Not a lot.
2. We actually, actually wish to overreact! We simply needed to take care of an eight-month offseason. We’re ravenous right here!
So let’s compromise and say we now have partial solutions to our infinite checklist of offseason questions over the previous few days. Beneath are partial solutions to 14 questions that intrigued me essentially the most heading into Week 1 of 2019.
Query: With camp accidents to veteran linebackers Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon, and freshman DJ Dale already slated to begin at nostril deal with, the Tide’s entrance seven is abruptly and alarmingly younger. Is that an issue?
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Partial reply: In all probability not.
Eight of the 14 members of Alabama’s front-seven two-deep for Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Duke had been freshmen or sophomores, and there have been three true freshmen among the many Tide’s 10 main tacklers for the sport. However regardless of inexperience and an opponent keen to throw something on the wall (Triple choice! All-out unfold! Every part in between!) the Tide gave up simply three factors and three.Eight yards per play.
Regardless of a gradual begin on offense, Alabama not solely received handily but additionally coated an enormous 34-point unfold. Bama’s subsequent 4 opponents are New Mexico State, South Carolina, Southern Miss and Ole Miss. It is perhaps some time earlier than we study whether or not this younger unit will value the Tide, and by then, the youth will not be as younger.
Query: Coach Willie Taggart’s FSU debut final season was marred by a few of the worst offensive line play within the nation. Are you able to repair that in a single offseason?
Partial reply: Perhaps.
Granted, the bar is fairly low. FSU misplaced at residence in opposition to Boise State on Saturday, dropping Taggart to simply 5-Eight general because the Noles’ coach. However the line did its job — for some time, anyway. The Noles loved a 58 % speeding success price within the first half whereas bolting to a 31-13 lead, however principally the complete staff, from blockers to defenders to playcallers, collectively misplaced the plot within the second half. FSU leaned closely on the move whereas making an attempt to guard a wilting lead; and when the Noles tried to get again to the bottom recreation, their success vanished. By the tip, their speeding success price slipped to 35 %, and quarterback James Blackman took 4 sacks.
On the brilliant facet, BSU has the most effective defensive fronts the Noles will face this 12 months. If solely as a result of it could actually’t worsen, we’ll say the road would possibly look higher.
Query: Coach Jim Harbaugh introduced in new coordinator Josh Gattis to modernize* an sometimes stagnant assault. Will we truly see a distinction?
Partial reply: Perhaps.
The debut of Gattis’ offense in opposition to Center Tennessee suffered an inauspicious begin: Quarterback Shea Patterson fumbled on the primary play of the sport, setting the Blue Raiders up for a short-field scoring drive.
It was nice (not wonderful, not horrible, simply nice) from there. Even with out injured No. 1 receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, the Wolverines scored on 4 of their subsequent six drives and posted 40 factors in a cushty win. Oft-injured blue-chip receiver Tarik Black caught 4 balls for 80 yards, and UM’s major tailbacks rushed 22 occasions for 156 yards.
In fact, scoring on lesser defenses hasn’t been the difficulty for UM and Harbaugh. We’ll in all probability have to attend a bit longer (Till Wisconsin on Sept. 21? Iowa on Oct. 5? Penn State on Oct. 19?) to get a extra full reply about Gattis’ influence.
* What do I imply by “modernize”? In Michigan’s case, it means minimal huddles (albeit with little or no hurry-up), performs extra aptly designed to reply to defensive formation, and extra use of run-pass choice and window dressing like fakes and movement. LSU’s “trendy” debut was extra profitable than Michigan’s, however in opposition to a Georgia Southern protection that wasn’t projected as excessive as MTSU’s.
Query: Coach Mark Dantonio did not fireplace anybody to repair his damaged offense, he simply gave a bunch of assistants totally different job titles. Did it work?
Partial reply: In all probability not.
Dantonio made essentially the most delinquent, Dantonio-esque transfer of the offseason in shuffling everyone’s jobs as an alternative of bringing in somebody new. However simply because it was amusing and completely in character, that does not imply it may work. In Friday evening’s 28-7 win over Tulsa, the Spartans appeared … just like the Spartans. The protection was indestructible — the Golden Hurricane managed simply 80 whole yards — and the offense was, effectively, fairly destructible. Towards a Tulsa D that ranked 96th in defensive SP+ final season, Sparty averaged a ineffective three.9 yards per play. State operating backs gained 68 yards on 30 carries. Gross.
It did not matter in opposition to Tulsa, and due to this protection, it’s going to in all probability matter just a few occasions this 12 months. However State’s offense nonetheless seems to be like State’s offense. That is not an excellent factor.
After ending final season sturdy, Nebraska faces excessive expectations. So are the Cornhuskers again? Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports activities
Query: The Huskers are again, proper?
Partial reply: In all probability not.
After profitable 4 of its last six video games in coach Scott Frost’s debut season, Nebraska’s expectations had been significantly ratcheted up this offseason. However that is nonetheless a younger staff with a sophomore quarterback (albeit an thrilling one), new gamers within the talent corps and a protection searching for solutions. On Saturday in opposition to South Alabama, the Huskers scored on an interception return, a punt return and a fumble restoration. Regardless of that, they managed to beat the Jags by solely a 35-21 margin, after being outgained by 38 yards and averaging a paltry Four.2 yards per play within the course of. (South Alabama ranked 123rd in defensive SP+ final 12 months, by the best way.)
We should not ring any alarm bells but — let’s examine what NU does at Colorado this weekend — however Saturday was a reminder that constructing jobs do not at all times fall completely into place the best way Frost’s UCF construct did.
Query: New head coach … freshman quarterback … are the Bison nonetheless the Bison?
Partial reply: In all probability.
The Bison would not have turn into the dynasty of the Soccer Championship Subdivision in the event that they could not deal with turnover, however shedding each head coach Chris Klieman (to Kansas State) and quarterback Easton Stick (to the Los Angeles Chargers) was lots. The debut for head coach Matt Entz and redshirt freshman quarterback Trey Lance, nevertheless, went about in addition to anybody might have hoped. At Goal Discipline in Minneapolis, the Bison jumped throughout Butler, main 36-Zero on the half and cruising 57-10. Lance went 10-for-11 for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed 5 occasions for 116 extra yards. Goodness.
The checks get stiffer quickly sufficient — every of NDSU’s subsequent 5 opponents is both ranked or almost ranked, and FCS No. 5 UC Davis involves Fargo in three weeks, however at worst, we all know NDSU’s upside is as excessive as ever.
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Justin Fields throws 4 touchdowns and runs in one other in Ohio State’s rout of Florida Atlantic.
Query: Justin Fields was an all-world recruit who signed with Georgia in 2018, wasn’t requested to do a lot after which transferred to Ohio State. Is he able to look the half?
Partial reply: In all probability.
Credit score Fields for not losing time. On the fourth snap of his first collegiate begin, he rushed 51 yards over left finish for a landing. On the sixth snap, he threw a landing move. On his ninth and 13th snaps, he threw two extra. Ohio State led FAU 28-Zero after simply eight minutes, then put the sport into mothballs and cruised. Fields completed 18-for-25 for 234 yards and 4 scores and rushed 10 occasions (not together with two sacks) for 67 yards. That’ll do.
Cincinnati ought to supply extra resistance in Week 2. Nevertheless it was straightforward to ascertain Ohio State as both a top-five staff or borderline top-15 or top-20 relying on the QB place, and Fields’ first outing suggests the previous is extra possible than the latter.
Jalen Hurts’ first recreation in Lincoln Riley’s offense went about in addition to both might have hoped. Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports activities
Query: Can a Lincoln Riley offense led by quarterback Jalen Hurts find yourself simply as dominant as current predecessors?
Partial reply: In all probability. A really assured in all probability.
The largest praise you can provide Oklahoma’s offense in its 49-31 win over Houston is that Houston tackled fairly effectively. The Cougars did not hand the Sooners too many free yards (except for a busted protection that led to a CeeDee Lamb landing within the second quarter). OU simply took these yards by way of scheme and expertise.
Hurts’ first effort in a Riley offense after transferring from Alabama: 20-for-23 passing, 332 yards and three touchdowns by means of the air, plus 16 carries for 176 yards and three extra scores on the bottom. Higher but, it did not really feel like he was taking part in outdoors of himself. He was simply being Jalen Hurts. In a Lincoln Riley offense. With wonderful blocking all over the place you look. And gamers like Trey Sermon (11 carries for 91 yards), Charleston Rambo (three catches for 105), and Lamb (two for 46) within the talent corps.
However he did lose a fumble at one level. So there’s nonetheless room for enchancment.
Query: The heavyweights of the Group of 5 are every beginning new QBs in 2019 — Notre Dame grad switch Brandon Wimbush for UCF and freshman blue-chipper Hank Bachmeier for Boise State. Will they maintain these respective trains a-rolling?
Partial reply: In all probability.
Granted, there’s fairly a distinction between a veteran from a high-major faculty beginning off in opposition to an FCS opponent (UCF 62, Florida A&M Zero) and a real freshman beginning his first recreation in Doak Campbell Stadium (BSU 36, FSU 31). However regardless of missteps — Wimbush (who suffered move effectivity points in South Bend) accomplished simply 52 % of his passes, and Bachmeier took 5 sacks and fumbled twice — each received passing grades. Wimbush averaged 14 yards per completion with a pair of TD passes, and Bachmeier threw for 407 yards and led an 18-point comeback. Not unhealthy.
One other true freshman — UCF’s Dillon Gabriel — might insert himself into this dialog (he was 9-for-13 for 127 yards and three scores in opposition to FAMU), however Wimbush handed his first check, not less than.
UCLA entered the season as one of many largest mysteries, and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson nonetheless hasn’t proven he will be environment friendly. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports activities
Query: Is quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson prepared to guide a second-year scoring breakthrough for head coach Chip Kelly?
Partial reply: In all probability not.
Justin Fields would be the second blue-chip sophomore Cincinnati faces this 12 months, however the Bearcats did fairly a bit of injury in opposition to the primary one: Thompson-Robinson. He made their job fairly straightforward, although.
UCLA entered the season as one of many largest mysteries in FBS, however Thompson-Robinson principally picked up the place he left off as a freshman. The final time we noticed him, he was going 9-for-23 with a 94 passer ranking in opposition to Oregon. On Thursday, he went Eight-for-26 with a 91. He additionally let the ball squirt out of his arms, unforced, in two totally different failed purple zone alternatives, and the Bruins fell 24-14.
Fumbles are random occurrences, however at this level, inefficient performances from DTR will not be. And now he has to face an always-tricky and bodily San Diego State protection earlier than video games in opposition to ranked Oklahoma and Washington State. Yikes.
Query: Is the Huskies’ protection nonetheless traditionally terrible?
Partial reply: Perhaps not!
The Huskies had been downright awe-inspiring in 2018, permitting not less than 38 factors and 516 yards in 11 of 12 video games and giving up 50.Four factors per recreation for the season. However they allowed simply 21 factors in defensive coordinator Lou Spanos’ debut.
Certain, it was in opposition to Wagner, an FCS staff that went Four-7 final 12 months. And certain, after going nowhere for many of the recreation, Wagner drove greater than 80 yards for a landing on two of its final three possessions in a 24-21 UConn win. A lot bigger challenges await as effectively — Week 2 opponent Illinois gained 400-plus on Akron, and a visit to UCF looms — however it’s a must to begin someplace, and giving up 185 whole yards and two offensive scores would have certified as progress even when it had come in opposition to East Hartford Excessive.
Query: Did hiring offensive coordinator Graham Harrell repair the Trojans’ sketchy offense?
Partial reply: Perhaps, however now he has to do it once more.
Issues could not presumably have began higher for Harrell and the Trojans’ offense. With nary a third-down conversion required, quarterback JT Daniels led landing drives of 81 and 47 yards as USC hopped to a right away 14-Zero lead over Fresno State.
USC scored on solely one among its subsequent 5 drives, although, after which Daniels was misplaced for the season with a knee damage. Freshman backup Kedon Slovis led one scoring drive, and the run recreation was sturdy sufficient — Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr rushed 29 occasions for 190 yards — to get the job carried out in a 31-23 win. Nonetheless, the shine wore off a bit after a spectacular begin. And now Harrell has to assist the Trojans manufacture factors, with a freshman QB, in opposition to a killer quintet of video games: Stanford, at BYU, Utah, at Washington, at Notre Dame.
Query: Quarterback Jordan Love is possibly essentially the most thrilling participant within the mid-major universe, however he misplaced virtually all of final 12 months’s supporting solid, together with coaches. Can he thrive with all this newness?
Partial reply: In all probability.
Granted, this one was extra of a private curiosity than a nationwide storyline, however USU’s 2018 offense was one of many nation’s most seductive, and I hoped the Aggies would have sufficient expertise round Like to maintain issues thrilling.
USU ended up shedding a heartbreaker at Wake Forest (one of many few Mountain West upset bids to fall quick in Week 1), however Love nonetheless accomplished 33 passes for 416 yards, and he discovered a significant go-to in Utah switch Siaosi Mariner (eight catches, 118 yards). Three picks had been all types of expensive — the primary two arrange 10 Wake factors, and the third ended the sport — however the upside continues to be apparent, and Mariner might be an amazing dance accomplice.
Query: The Hokies bottomed out defensively final 12 months, beset by each inexperience and accidents. Can easy continuity and growth repair final 12 months’s woes?
Partial reply: Perhaps.
Legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s last season at Tech started with the Hokies permitting 35 factors and 432 yards in a one-score loss at Boston Faculty. That wasn’t nice, however it additionally in all probability wasn’t as unhealthy because it appeared.
Tech held BC to simply three.5 sack-adjusted yards per carry, and after averaging 9 yards per play within the first quarter, the Eagles averaged Four.2 thereafter. If not for horrible luck with fumbles — the Hokies recovered zero of the sport’s 4 unfastened balls, and two fumble-aided, short-field drives made the distinction for BC — Tech presumably wins. Of the Hokies’ subsequent 5 opponents, two are FCS colleges, and the opposite three mixed to common 16 factors per recreation and Four.Four yards per play in Week Zero/1. The Foster protection might appear like the Foster protection once more quickly.