We close the opening week of Season 6 in CFSL with 2 great matchups that feature teams that are trying to prove that they belong in the national title conversation. Lets take a look at what is in store tonight!
Miami at Michigan
The Hurricanes pack their winter gear and travel from sunny Miami to chilly Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines in both teams’ season openers. Returning under center for Miami is Jose Bueno, who led Miami to 34 points a game last season. With the dynamic receiver trio of Nick Bagg, King Twixx and Maximillian Mack, this offense figures to be just as high powered as last year. The question will be if Bueno can get the ball out quick and not take sacks, a stat he led the league in last season. The Canes feature a mix of young guys and vets on defense. Led by veteran safeties, Buster Bates and LaQuarius David, the Hurricanes add a young group of stars, led by corner Joe Kerr and safety Perry Pennel, two very highly recruited prospects.
Michigan looks like a completely new team as they bring in a very prestigious recruiting class this season, one that has the Wolverine faithful maybe more excited than ever. The Wolverine offense is still led by the magic man at quarterback, Dewey Ainge, who always seems to just find a way to win. The Wolverines hit a home run in the transfer period by bringing in big time receiver Anthony Robertson III to pair with Giorgio Pipino and freshman Trey Greer. The Wolverine defense only returns 3 players, led by corner Lucky McFadden and defensive end Jay Washington. They do however feature arguably the top defensive line in the CFSL with newcomers Atlas Zervos and Barkivious Oswald lining up along side Washington.
This game on paper seems like it’ll be a shootout as Miami features as high powered pass game and Michigan is surely going to air it out with Ainge, Pipino and AR-15. In a game like this, you have to compare the secondaries in order to gain the edge. Michigan’s strength is their defensive line, which could cause issues for Bueno in the pass rush, but I think Miami’s stellar secondary ends up creating some turnovers and holds off late magic from Dewey Ainge.
Miami 38, Michigan 35
Florida at Nebraska
The Gators leave the friendly confines of the swamp and head to Lincoln to face a new team in the CFSL, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Quarterback James Kovach heads from TCU to Nebraska to finish his college career and welcomes top running back prospect Dowdy Dowell to his backfield. This offense seems like it will run through Dowell but Kovach is a passer and the Huskers went out and signed speedster receiver Blaze Gunner to give him a top target. The darling of this Nebraska team is their defense, let by senior defensive end Jabril Jackson and safety Stokley Ferdinand. Freshman middle linebacker Mika Raikkonen should give the Huskers a ton of help stifling the offense of Florida.
The Gators come in to the opener as most people’s pick to finish last in the SEC, but take those words with a grain of salt as the Gators bring back most of their offense from a season ago. Aside from QB Kingston Fox, now at USC, the Gators return receiving trio Darren Pegues, Nick King and Cole King who should give freshman quarterback Mathias St. John plenty of options to work with. In case you forgot, the Gators also return senior running back Avery Jordan, who seems dangerously underrated this season. We don’t see much change on the defensive side of the ball for Florida either, as they return 5 starters from a year ago, led by defensive end Mohammed Dmour, linebacker Marcin Olesniewicz and defensive backs Dakota Wolf and Elliot Wells. They add a highly recruited freshman linebacker Wyatt King to the mix as well.
In a matchup like this, you look to experience to lead you to a decision and while Florida brings back a ton of talent on offense, they feature a freshman quarterback playing in his first career game and we know how tough that can be. Nebraska’s experience lies in their defense and when it’s offensive experience vs defensive experience, I will take the defense every time.
Florida 28, Nebraska 34
