Overreacting to all of the college football Week 2 action and what it could mean moving forward.
After an appetizer of college football in Week 1, the second week of the 2020 season had some main course offerings. The ACC and Big 12, for the most part, started their campaigns, meaning that six teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 were in action for the first time this year, including two top-five teams with Clemson and Oklahoma.
The results were as to be expected outside of Louisiana-Lafayette upsetting the No. 23-ranked Iowa State Cyclones. Against unranked opponents, Clemson, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Texas rolled. Of course, other potential Power 5 teams to watch, namely Florida State, Kansas State, Kansas and almost Texas Tech, left a lot to be desired.
Even though it’s only one game, though, it’s time to throw conservative takes out of the window. We’re here to overreact and we’ve got some big ones coming out of college football Week 2.
5. Spencer Rattler is going to run away with the Heisman Trophy
Already notching his place in the Oklahoma quarterback legacy, Spencer Rattler only needed two quarters against Missouri State to submit his bid as the 2020 Heisman Trophy favorite. In only 30 minutes and with only 17 passing attempts, the Sooners redshirt freshman quarterback threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns.
Sure, it was Missouri State. But you want a great quarterback and Heisman favorite to dominate that type of competition with ease and Rattler looked that part. He was dynamic and effortless as a playmaker and he clearly put the entire college football world on notice. If this is what we’re in store for from him, they can go ahead and FedEx the Heisman Trophy to Norman so the quarterback can spend some more time with it.
4. Mike Norvell is no better than Willie Taggart at Florida State
Coming from Memphis, the best-case scenario for Mike Norvell as he took over for Willie Taggart at Florida State was igniting a fire under a talent-laden offense and working a little magic, something Norvell is known for. Unfortunately, Norvell did nothing in his debut with the Seminoles to separate himself from his predecessor, which is downright alarming.
The offensive line remained a major issue, quarterback James Blackman was still an inconsistent and ineffective issue and even holding Georgia Tech to just 16 points wasn’t enough to get Florida State a win. Sitting at 0-1 on a season in which Norvell was expected to start turning things around, the Noles head coach now has to blatantly prove he’s a milkshake hire and not another glass of soured milk.
3. Notre Dame isn’t close to catching Clemson, even playing in the ACC
Notre Dame opened their first and only season in the ACC (for now) with a 27-13 win over Duke. For Brian Kelly’s team, it was a ho-hum victory that they needed to get so to begin on the right foot. It was also a game in which the Fighting Irish didn’t look on the same level as their biggest competition in the ACC.
Everyone in the conference is chasing Clemson and Notre Dame is still obviously behind the Tigers right now. The defense had lapses against Chase Brice, which isn’t promising for eventually playing Trevor Lawrence, and Ian Book‘s offense was a mixed bag. That won’t cut it against Dabo Swinney’s team that looked like a well-oiled machine, even after a short offseason.
2. Louisiana-Lafayette is primed for a College Football Playoff push
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, one of the favorites in the Sun Belt, delivered the first big upset of the 2020 season, knocking off No. 23 Iowa State in each team’s season-opener. And in doing so, head coach Billy Napier’s team put the rest of the country on notice.
While beating the Cyclones might be their only chance to build a résumé, the Ragin’ Cajuns showcased all you need to see for them to be a dangerous team against anyone and a force in the Sun Belt. The offense is lethal but the defense and special teams was the most impressive part of the win over Iowa State.
Based on what we saw from Louisiana and the rest of the Sun Belt, they’re the best team in the conference and one of the best Group of 5 teams. And in this parity-driven and truncated season, that might be enough for them to challenge for a spot in the Playoff.
1. Trevor Lawrence should just opt-out and avoid the risk
Anyone wondering if Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson Tigers would have rust after this offseason quickly found their answer. Arguably no player in college football looked as crisp as the junior quarterback and he led the offense to perfection, affirming his status as the eventual No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
But in that, why is Lawrence playing? While wanting to be a leader for his team is admirable, it’s also financially irresponsible. The quarterback is putting himself at risk every time he takes the field, both with COVID-19 and injuries in play, that isn’t necessary. While we’d all miss him, the best choice for the player is not playing another game in college.
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