College Football Week 1: Top 25 lessons learned about the Top 25
1. Alabama – The most impressive win of the week comes from the No. 1 team in the country after the defense and special teams of Alabama led to a 24-7 win over No. 3 Florida State. The Crimson Tide defense only allowed 250 yards, including 40 on the ground and intercepted Deondre Francois twice. As smothering as the defense was, the special teams was unrelenting. Alabama blocked a field goal to end the first half and keep a three-point lead, starting running back Damien Harris blocked a punt that led to a field goal and they also recovered a fumble on a kickoff. Jalen Hurts didn’t have to do much and finished with 96 yards passing and a score and 55 rushing yards. Harris got the start over Bo Scarbrough and led the team with 73 yards on nine carries. He also added a touchdown. Scarbrough had 40 yards on 15 carries and Calvin Ridley had a big game with seven catches for 82 yards and a 53-yard reception. Alabama’s next toughest game will be in two months when they host LSU on Nov. 4 and should be 8-0.
2. Ohio State – The Buckeyes started off slow on the road against Indiana before looking like the No. 2 team in the country in the second half. J.T. Barrett finished with 304 passing yards and three touchdowns and added 61 and a score on the ground. The passing game was largely fueled by yards after the catch on a 74-yard score from Parris Campbell and a 59-yarder from Johnnie Dixon. The real star was true freshman running back J.K. Dobbins who ran for a Buckeye record 181 yards on 29, breaking Maurice Clarett’s record for a freshman in his debut. He looks like the next great one in Columbus.
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3. Florida State – The Seminoles played Alabama tough in the first half, trailing 10-7 after two quarters. However, as the Crimson Tide has done to many great teams, the defensive pressure intensified and Florida State was outscored 14-0 in the second half in the 24-7 loss. I predicted Alabama would beat them but I still had Florida State making the College Football Playoff. However, that prediction is on thin ice after quarterback Deondre Francois was carted off with his left in an air cast. It looks significant and he could be out for an extended time. J.J. Cosentino and freshmen James Blackman and Bailey Hockman will vie for the starting job if Francois is out, which would dramatically reduce their postseason chances.
4. USC – The Trojans had their hands full with Western Michigan. USC was tied midway through the fourth quarter until Ronald Jones II scored his third touchdown of the game with 6:57 remaining. He finished with 159 yards on 18 carries and Stephen Carr complemented him with a nice game, totaling 69 yards and the game-clinching touchdown on a 54-yard dash. Preseason Heisman favorite Sam Darnold threw two interceptions and didn’t throw a touchdown. He finished 23-of-33 passing for 289 yards and added a rushing touchdown. He’s started 10 games, he’s going to be a lot better, don’t hit the panic button. Darnold and Deontay Burnett connected seven times for 142 yards. USC hosts Stanford in Week 2 and Darnold and the Trojans rush defense will have to play better if they’re going to improve to 2-0.
5. Clemson – The first game in the post-Deshaun Watson era was a rout for the reigning national champions. Kelly Bryant threw for 236 yards and a score in his first start at quarterback and ran for another 77 and a score. The Tigers defense only allowed 120 yards to an overmatched Kent State team.