Three Up and Three Down
College Football Week One
By Matt Hetzler and Tyler Smith 9/6/2016
Matt's Teams On The Rise
Texas-
Texas had a program changing win on Sunday night after defeating 10th ranked Notre Dame in Austin. The game was one of the best we will see all season. Texas had a balanced offense with freshman Shane Buechele passing for 280 yards. The biggest story of the night was Tyrone Swoopes and his 3 rushing TD’s. D’Onta Foreman’s big night was overshadowed by the two QB’s but he finished with 131 rushing yards. A BIG 12 title may not be out of the question this season.
Wisconsin-
Wisconsin pulled off the biggest upset of the major teams this weekend after defeating 5th ranked LSU. Wisconsin’s defense was the story of the game. The Badgers held Leonard Fournette in check and put the game in the hands of a shaky Brandon Harris. LSU mustered just 257 yards against the Badgers and turned it over 3 times.
Houston-
Houston made its case for an invite to the BIg 12 on Saturday. Houston comfortably defeated the Big 12 front runner Oklahoma. Greg Ward Jr. threw for over 300 yards and the Cougars defense held the Sooners to only 70 rushing yards. Houston is now in a position to become the first non-power 5 school to be in the College Football Playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Texas A&M, Western Michigan, Georgia.
Texas had a program changing win on Sunday night after defeating 10th ranked Notre Dame in Austin. The game was one of the best we will see all season. Texas had a balanced offense with freshman Shane Buechele passing for 280 yards. The biggest story of the night was Tyrone Swoopes and his 3 rushing TD’s. D’Onta Foreman’s big night was overshadowed by the two QB’s but he finished with 131 rushing yards. A BIG 12 title may not be out of the question this season.
Wisconsin-
Wisconsin pulled off the biggest upset of the major teams this weekend after defeating 5th ranked LSU. Wisconsin’s defense was the story of the game. The Badgers held Leonard Fournette in check and put the game in the hands of a shaky Brandon Harris. LSU mustered just 257 yards against the Badgers and turned it over 3 times.
Houston-
Houston made its case for an invite to the BIg 12 on Saturday. Houston comfortably defeated the Big 12 front runner Oklahoma. Greg Ward Jr. threw for over 300 yards and the Cougars defense held the Sooners to only 70 rushing yards. Houston is now in a position to become the first non-power 5 school to be in the College Football Playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Texas A&M, Western Michigan, Georgia.
Tyler's Teams On The Rise
Wisconsin
To say I was down on the Badgers would be an understatement. I figured with their offense they would struggle this season plus a very tough schedule. Well the offense did struggle and the schedule isn’t changing but Wisconsin is up for the challenge. The defense only gave up one touchdown. They played amazing all game long. What happens when they face a team that has the capability to pass I don’t know, but at the end of the day they took down number 5 LSU.
The Zips are up next. 2-0 Wisconsin rolling into week three.
Texas State
I thought the Bobcats would be lucky to win more than 2 games this season. Well if they get another big performance from Tyler Jones, more than 2 wins is a lock. Jones had 418 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 40 yard run. Obviously the defense had some issues but let's forget about all that Texas State put on a show. Arkansas is up next and they were in a tight one vs. La Tech
ARMY
No one expected them to beat Temple. The most shocking part, the Army defense only gave up 13 points. Walker couldn’t handle the load without Thomas in the backfield. Army controlled the clock, converted 50 percent of their 3rd down tries, and forced 3 turnovers. Well done Army, now it is on to Rice.
To say I was down on the Badgers would be an understatement. I figured with their offense they would struggle this season plus a very tough schedule. Well the offense did struggle and the schedule isn’t changing but Wisconsin is up for the challenge. The defense only gave up one touchdown. They played amazing all game long. What happens when they face a team that has the capability to pass I don’t know, but at the end of the day they took down number 5 LSU.
The Zips are up next. 2-0 Wisconsin rolling into week three.
Texas State
I thought the Bobcats would be lucky to win more than 2 games this season. Well if they get another big performance from Tyler Jones, more than 2 wins is a lock. Jones had 418 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 40 yard run. Obviously the defense had some issues but let's forget about all that Texas State put on a show. Arkansas is up next and they were in a tight one vs. La Tech
ARMY
No one expected them to beat Temple. The most shocking part, the Army defense only gave up 13 points. Walker couldn’t handle the load without Thomas in the backfield. Army controlled the clock, converted 50 percent of their 3rd down tries, and forced 3 turnovers. Well done Army, now it is on to Rice.
Matt's Teams Trending Down
LSU
LSU was expected to be better on offense and they remain the same. Brandon Harris is not the QB to lead this LSU team. Leonard Fournette had a decent game for such a one dimensional offense. The good news for LSU is that this was week 1 and the game was played in Wisconsin. If they can run the table (highly unlikely) a playoff appearance is still possible.
USC
I shouldn’t even waste my time writing about this pathetic performance. The offense was terrible with only 194 total yards. Star receiver Juju Smith-Schuster didn’t show up for the game. The punter was the best player on the team. This game had a lot of hype surrounding it but it ended up as a huge embarrassment to the Trojans. USC doesn’t even look like a PAC-12 contender in ‘16.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma found themselves on a lot of experts playoff predictions list over the past few months. Baker Mayfield was impressive in this game and really gave OU a shot to win. The rushing attack was non-existent as Houston bottled up Perine and Mixon. Houston appeared to be the better team and unlike the two teams above, I think Oklahoma will bounce back from this loss. Oklahoma gets a chance at redemption with Ohio State at home in two weeks.
Honorable Mention: Washington State, Wake Forest/Tulane game, Kentucky, Mississippi State.
LSU was expected to be better on offense and they remain the same. Brandon Harris is not the QB to lead this LSU team. Leonard Fournette had a decent game for such a one dimensional offense. The good news for LSU is that this was week 1 and the game was played in Wisconsin. If they can run the table (highly unlikely) a playoff appearance is still possible.
USC
I shouldn’t even waste my time writing about this pathetic performance. The offense was terrible with only 194 total yards. Star receiver Juju Smith-Schuster didn’t show up for the game. The punter was the best player on the team. This game had a lot of hype surrounding it but it ended up as a huge embarrassment to the Trojans. USC doesn’t even look like a PAC-12 contender in ‘16.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma found themselves on a lot of experts playoff predictions list over the past few months. Baker Mayfield was impressive in this game and really gave OU a shot to win. The rushing attack was non-existent as Houston bottled up Perine and Mixon. Houston appeared to be the better team and unlike the two teams above, I think Oklahoma will bounce back from this loss. Oklahoma gets a chance at redemption with Ohio State at home in two weeks.
Honorable Mention: Washington State, Wake Forest/Tulane game, Kentucky, Mississippi State.
Tyler's Teams Trending Down
Washington State
Well, I came in with high expectations for the Cougars. After game one I still have high hopes, but damn. Second straight year they lose to an FCS school. As good as the Wazzou offense was Eastern Washington’s was better. Washington State came into the season thinking they had one of their better defenses in years. Well, we may rethink that after game one. But let's understand this EWU team has one of the top offenses year after year in FCS play. Really it is probably better than some PAC 12 schools.
LSU
All we heard all offseason was Brandon Harris has become a better QB. Well tell me if these numbers so familiar 11/21, 138 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. LSU had 257 total yards. Now I understand that Wisconsin had a top defense coming back, but this is a team that LSU should put away. But hey, props to LSU for going and playing teams in the north.
Next week they have Jacksonville State, yes, that Jacksonville State that nearly beat Auburn. (They did lose a lot of talent thought) LSU big win.
Iowa State
The Cyclones lost to Northern Iowa 25-20. Losing to FCS schools is becoming the norm in Ames. They lost 3 of the past 4 years to FCS schools. They rushed for only 55 yards. Add in four turnovers, 2 passing, 2 rushing and this team was bound to lose. if this team plays like this, they won’t win a game all year.
A trip to Iowa City is next, good luck with that.
Well, I came in with high expectations for the Cougars. After game one I still have high hopes, but damn. Second straight year they lose to an FCS school. As good as the Wazzou offense was Eastern Washington’s was better. Washington State came into the season thinking they had one of their better defenses in years. Well, we may rethink that after game one. But let's understand this EWU team has one of the top offenses year after year in FCS play. Really it is probably better than some PAC 12 schools.
LSU
All we heard all offseason was Brandon Harris has become a better QB. Well tell me if these numbers so familiar 11/21, 138 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. LSU had 257 total yards. Now I understand that Wisconsin had a top defense coming back, but this is a team that LSU should put away. But hey, props to LSU for going and playing teams in the north.
Next week they have Jacksonville State, yes, that Jacksonville State that nearly beat Auburn. (They did lose a lot of talent thought) LSU big win.
Iowa State
The Cyclones lost to Northern Iowa 25-20. Losing to FCS schools is becoming the norm in Ames. They lost 3 of the past 4 years to FCS schools. They rushed for only 55 yards. Add in four turnovers, 2 passing, 2 rushing and this team was bound to lose. if this team plays like this, they won’t win a game all year.
A trip to Iowa City is next, good luck with that.