Wow, week one is in the books and we saw some great games and an instant classic. Here’s what we learned from the week.
1) Another Classic
The Auburn Tigers started their season six campaign with a match-up against the defending National Champions Texas Longhorns. What we all were treated to was an that ended in overtime. This was the first victory for Auburn over Texas, and some sweet revenge from the National Championship game. Halfback Robert Davis totaled three rushing touchdowns and wide receiver Cross Ferry III pitched in with 132 yards receiving and a score. Auburn, who was picked by many to win the SEC has supplanted the Longhorns for now, but the season has just started and we have a long way to go. For Texas this wasn’t how they wanted to start the season out and their defense of the title. Up next for both, Auburn faces Ohio State and a team that remembers their only blemish from last season. Texas faces a Ducks team wanting to bounce back from a loss to Clemson. Texas can’t afford to start the year 0-2.
2. Corn Fed
In case you didn’t notice, Nebraska took Florida to the woodshed. The Huskers dominated the Gators in every aspect of the game. Quarterback James Kovach threw for 447 yards and six touchdowns, eye popping stats, which should win him OPOW. Tailback Dowdy Dowell also ran for 163 yards and 60 yards receiving with two scores of his own. Receiver Blaze Gunner not only had 132 yards receiving, but returned a kick off 94 yards for a touchdown. The defense for Nebraska racked up eight tackles for a loss, six sacks, and two interceptions as a unit. That is winning a game in all three parts of it. Look out, because the Cornhuskers are for real and will be making some noise this season.
3. Roll Tide
Newcomers to the league Alabama started their season off against the USC Trojans. A lot of talk between these two teams has been made leading up to the match up and the win goes to the boys in the SEC. The combo of quarterback Balion Siege and halfback Joe Pantoja accounted for 294 yards on the ground and three touchdowns combined. Siege passed for another 153 yards and a score through the air. USC put up a strong showing themselves with quarterback Kingston Fox passing for 255 yards and rushing for another 107. He was also responsible for all four of the Trojan touchdowns. Up next for Alabama is the buzz-saw of Nebraska and for USC a Miami team whose defense just shut down the pass attack of Michigan. We will have a better gauge of both these teams after week two.
4. Shoot Out
Clemson came into week one with some revenge on there minds for last seasons playoff loss to the Ducks. What everyone was entertained with was a good old fashioned shoot out. Between both teams 1,082 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns where produced. The only other two scores came by way of linebacker Jack Taylor and corner Harper Allen, both on pick sixes. That was the difference in this game. The Tigers defense, although torched by Oregon’s passing game, came up at big moments and if they are going to be in games like this they will need it. The Ducks hated to lose this one but if they showed us anything, it’s that you better be ready for a track meet when you play them. Oregon has Texas this upcoming week and will be interesting to see if they can repeat their numbers against a stronger defense. Clemson will also face a better defense in The Irish as they travel north to play.
5. Defense
Points win games, plain and simple. This past week two teams showed that it is going to be very hard to score points on them. Miami held Michigan to only seven points last week and Michigan only gave up 13 to the Canes. Ohio State held Notre Dame to only 13 points in their week one match up to start their season. This is a trend that started last season and may be more of what’s to come this year. If you can’t score then you can’t win. Also, if you can’t run the ball then your team becomes even more susceptible to losing the time of possession war, which keeps your offense off the field. Michigan was held to 35 yards rushing, while Notre Dame only had 43 yards. The time of possession for Ohio State was over 18 minutes and Miami was 19 minutes. Sure looks like most victories this year may come down to who has the most dominant defense. Next week, the Buckeyes will face Auburn, another team with a great defense, so we could see another low-scoring affair. Miami will travel to USC to try to put the clamps on another Big Ten team and start 2-0 on the season.
