Week of 9/7

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9/13:

  • In addition to the cancellation of Memphis-Houston, the Virginia-Virginia Tech and BYU-Army have been postponed. Houston has agreed to play at Baylor this Saturday, while Army is looking for an opponent - of which there are six possibilities…

  • Not a very good day for the Big 12 on Saturday - especially when it came to facing Sun Belt teams. The conference was 0-3 against the Sun Belt, with the biggest surprise being K-State losing to Arkansas State.

  • All was not lost as two quarterbacks were stellar in their performances. Freshman QB Spencer Rattler (Is there a better name combo for touchdowns than Rattler to Rambo?) had four TD passes in seventeen first half attempts while Senior QB Sam Ehlinger had five TD passes against UTEP. I’m already looking forward to the Red River Rivalry game…

9/12:

  • It was announced that the Memphis-Houston game was being postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. A lot of the tests and tracing is tied back to social events outside of football activities, but the most interesting reason given was from a Tiger defensive lineman who accused Arkansas State players. That should stoke up the rivalry a bit - I hope!

  • I found myself enjoying the UTSA - Texas State game. Jeremiah Haydel is the real deal as a receiver and punt returner! I felt bad for freshman placekicker Alan Orona, who missed a key PAT near the end of regulation, and then missed a field goal in the second overtime.

  • As the Camels led Georgia Southern for almost all of the game, it made sense once I heard that the Eagles were playing without 33 players (eight starters) for various reasons.

9/11:

  • Already obvious that the Hurricanes were beneficiaries of the transfer portal. Besides D’Eriq King, who helped Miami’s ground game with his athleticism, two of their better defensive players, Quincy Roche and Jaelen Phillips, were transfers as well.

  • Speaking of King, he extended is FBS record streak to 16 straight games with a rushing and passing touchdown.

  • Great news regarding Georgia State quarterback Mikele Colasurdo. Late last month he was ruled out for the season with a coronavirus-related heart condition. A follow-up evaluation yesterday showed that he’s not suffering from any type of heart ailment that would prevent him from playing, so he has returned to practice.

9/10:

  • Week 2 begins tonight with UAB visiting Miami. Biggest headline for this game has got to be the return of quarterback D’Eriq King. A great story about the very talented quarterback and the struggles he has faced in the last twelve months on ESPN. I’m not a Hurricane fan, but after reading this article - I wish D’Eriq all the best!

  • Yesterday I was reading in USA Today that Uga, the live bulldog mascot of Georgia, won’t be on the sidelines because he always draws a crowd. The last time an Uga wasn’t on the sideline, was back in late November of 2009 when Uga VII died suddenly two days before a game.

  • I have tried to avoid writing about the Big Ten and all of their issues between athletes, parents, administrators, and even politicians - but if they return to the field sooner than later - I will be thrilled.

9/9:

  • Sad news this morning as it was reported that senior Jamain Stephens, a defensive lineman for California University of Pennsylvania, passed away yesterday. The high school he attended announced that his death was related to complications involving COVID-19.

  • USA Today Re-Ranked the 76 FBS teams after the completion of the Week 1 games. Without playing a down, LSU dropped 4 places to number 11 (lost two star players who opted out of the season) while Texas A&M staked a claim to the Tigers vacated rank. Week 1 winners (in terms of movement upwards): BYU, Army, South Alabama, and Texas State. And the Week 1 losers: Navy, Middle Tennessee, and Southern Miss.

9/8:

  • Last night, BYU absolutely dominated the Midshipmen from the opening kickoff. Expectations for the Cougars, based on their experience, strengths, and cushy schedule, makes one wonder if they can get themselves a playoff spot. Their game against Army now has meaning…

  • The Week 2 schedule has taken a hit now that five games have been postponed: North Carolina State at Virginia Tech, Marshall at East Carolina, SMU at TCU, Tulsa at Oklahoma State, and Louisiana Tech at Baylor. LT’s cancellation is no surprise after the players had to vacate campus due to the effects of Hurricane Laura.

  • Rice has really shortened their season after postponing games with Marshall (10/3) and IAB (10/10). The Owls will now start their season (maybe) on October 24th against Middle Tennessee.

9/7:

  • Middle Tennesse found out that it’s very difficult to prepare for the option attack on short notice. Army’s 19 play, 99 yard drive that took over 12 minutes was quite impressive.

  • Didn’t take long for the first coaching casualty of the season. Jay Hopson is out as the Southern Miss head coach after the Golden Eagles lost their fourth straight game going back to last year. Can’t help but think that the Art Briles controversy last year was a contributing factor.

  • 2019 Outland Trophy winner, Penei Sewell, has opted out of playing this year - when or if Oregon plays. Sewell will be drafted near the top of the 2021 NFL Draft.