Although most of the big boys in College Football open their seasons and chances at the playoff at the end of the year let’s take a look at the games from this past weekend.
Eastern Kentucky vs. Marshall: This was going to be a blowout in almost everyone’s eyes. The Colonels were no match for a Herd offense that went up and down the field at will. Marshall QB Grant Wells had the start to the season he was looking for, 4 TD passes, and over 300 yards passing. It appears that Marshall might challenge for the MAC Conference Championship but it is only Week 1 and they destroyed a pretend team. Ok we understand.
Middle Tennessee vs. Army: The High School run offensive system that Army possesses was put back to work against a Middle Tennessee team that was looking to prove their doubters wrong. They rushed for over 340 yards against a defense that looked lost for several parts of the game. This felt like the kind of football that a high school team from the midwest would play. I am looking at you Homestead High School of Mequon, Wisconsin.
Central Arkansas vs. UAB: This game was supposed to be a shootout and that it was. Both teams went back and forth for 3 quarters. Then in the 4th Tyler Johnston put the team on his back as he did throughout the night and rallied his team to victory with 2 TDs, not to mention his backup played well too. Next week though for UAB you get to face the U, good luck.
South Alabama vs. Southern Mississippi: Another matchup of no name schools in terms of current talent that turns into a high pace game. Both Desmond Trotter and Jack Abraham had solid games through the air that night with 300 yard passing games each. The bad part for the Golden Eagles was an Abraham fumble that led to the knockout shot for Jaguars. Another shootout of a game that has defense deciding the outcome.
Arkansas State vs. Memphis: As for the defending AAC Conference Champions the Tigers showed why they deserved that claim by beating a pretend team in the Red Wolves. Brady White threw for 4 TDs, and the run game led by Rodrigues Clark also roughed up this high school style D. I know what is going to happen with Memphis. This game is a warm up for the real teams in the AAC.
SMU vs. Texas State: One of those teams on that list is SMU. After losing their two best weapons via graduation the Mustangs rode the hot arm of Shane Buechele past the Bobcats with help from his run game and Rashee Rice, and Reggie Roberson. This game was much closer than I thought because Texas State had the “never die” attitude but considering that their game with TCU has AGAIN been postponed. They get an extra week to prepare for North Texas. Good luck chasing that elusive AAC title.
Houston Baptist vs. North Texas: Speaking of North Texas they roughed their inner state rivals in Huskies. Led by QB Jason Bean and RB Oscar Adaway, the Mean Green Machine was running roughshod over a defense that looked lost. At halftime it looked like Houston Baptist might mount a second half but was taken away by two long touchdown runs and turnovers. In Texas there is nothing like having a high flying offense isn’t there because of hot weather, just ask every team in the state!
Stephen F. Austin vs. UTEP: This was the game that I expected to be low scoring and had few offense to show for, I was right for most parts of the game. This game is interesting to recap because the Lumberjacks were up 14-3 and just got an interception and decided to do a team pose. What happens: 15 yard penalty, 3 and out, Touchdown UTEP. This is why you need to act like you have been there before because if you don’t your fortunes take a serious turn. Those few moments turned the game into a laugher in the second half as the Miners held SFA out of the endzone, and ran all over them thanks to Deion Hankins. This is the kind of effort that would drive even NFL coaches insane.
BYU vs. Navy: Navy can you explain what just happened? They went into a season with high hopes and plenty to play for and got crushed on their home soil by a BYU team looking to prove their doubters wrong. I understand that losing Malcolm Perry to the NFL was harsh but the offense did nothing to slow down the Cougars defense. As for the Midshipmen defense they got destroyed by Tyler Allgeier and Gunner Romney running right past the front 7 and secondary. This is the punishment they get for playing independently instead of being in the AAC. At least their PA announcer has the Ravens I guess.
Bragging Rights Sports 