HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 05: Demario Richard #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is stopped by a group of Texas A&M Aggies defenders during the first half of their game during the Advocare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Takeaways from Week 1

Even though there are still a few games remaining on the week-one docket, we’ve seen enough action to review what happened on the gridiron this weekend. Here are some takeaways:

  • New defensive coordinator John Chavis will have Texas A&M in contention for the SEC West title this fall. In his first game with the Aggies, his squad turned in an a stellar effort, holding the Sun Devil offense to just 291 yards. More impressively, A&M dominated the line of scrimmage all night long, limiting Arizona State to just 2.2 yards per carry and recording eight sacks. That’s an outstanding performance against an offense that averaged 507.7 yards per game in Mike Bercovici’s three starts last year.
  • Lamar Jackson should take over as the starting quarterback at Louisville. Jackson’s versatility (106 rushing, 100 yards passing) added a new dimension to the Cardinal offense, sparking four second half scoring drives. I can’t wait to see him go head-to-head with DeShaun Watson on September 17.
  • Notre Dame is a national championship contender. While some people will say, “big deal, it’s only Texas,” the Irish defense played like a playoff-caliber team Saturday night, limiting the Longhorns to 163 yards and allowing just eight first downs. Malik Zaire was equally brilliant, completing 19-of-22 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. With that type of precision passing, it’s tough to see the Irish losing more than two games this year.
  • I feel the same way about Auburn. Although it gave up over 400 yards, the Tiger defense looked significantly better under the leadership of Will Muschamp, recording four sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
  • Unfortunately, Boise State’s College Football Playoff hopes took a huge hit this weekend. While the Broncos’ win over Washington will look more impressive later in the season than it does right now, losses by Arizona State, Stanford, Colorado, and Washington State (to FCS foe Portland State) really damaged the Pac-12’s (perceived) strength of schedule. Unless there are several two-loss conference champions and/or a two loss Notre Dame, an undefeated BSU team won’t make the cut. I’m not saying it’d be right, but that’s how it would happen.
  • Alabama’s offense was one of the most pleasant surprises of the weekend. Despite losing Amari Cooper, Blake Sims, Arie Kouandjio, and Austin Shepherd, the Crimson Tide offense clicked on all cylinders against a Wisconsin D that welcomed back eight starters from a unit that finished fourth nationally in total defense. The Badger defense had no answers for the two-headed monster of Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, which ran for 224 yards on 23 carries (9.73 yards per carry). Likewise, the Alabama quarterbacks turned in a solid outing, completing 22-of-29 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown.
  • Illinois will be much better under the leadership of interim head coach Bill Cubit. The Illini looked like a completely different team yesterday, scoring 28 points in the first quarter for the first time since 1960. Defensively, the Illini limited Kent to just 245 yards and forced four turnovers. Don’t be surprised if this team pulls off an upset or two and ends up in a bowl game.
  • This week’s Clunker of the Week goes to Wyoming, which lost 24-13 to North Dakota (the 5-7 squad from the Big Sky conference – not the four-time defending FCS champions). While the loss itself was embarrassing enough, the reason that the ‘Pokes earn this dubious distinction is that they ran a grand total of four offensive plays in North Dakota territory in the first three quarters.
  • Finally, I’d like to propose a new rule. If a player motions for a flag after an incomplete pass, he should be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. It’s really annoying to see receivers do this every time they fail to catch the ball.

About Terry P. Johnson

Terry Johnson is the Associate Editor for The Student Section. He is a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the National Football Foundation.

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