This Thursday marked the start of the new college football era. It started with a stunner in Columbia, South Carolina, as #21 Texas A&M stomped all over #9 South Carolina in Williams Brice Stadium, where the Gamecocks held an 18 consecutive game winning streak. Aggie quarterback Kenny Hill started the A&M era without Johnny Manziel with a bang, already breaking Johnny’s yards in one game record.
Friday night was the opening of the University of Houston’s new on campus stadium, TDECU stadium. It was supposed to be a fairly easy opening night for the Cougars, but the UTSA Roadrunners, in their first game as a bowl eligible FBS school, came in and ran all over Houston. This game starts UTSA on their path to a possible first ever bowl bid. Keep an eye on those Runners, as they play Arizona at home next Thursday September 4.
Yesterday was the first full day of college football, and it included some great games. The day started with some near upsets. In Charlottesville, #7 UCLA barely escaped the unranked Cavaliers of Virginia, 28-20. Up in Baltimore, #5 Ohio State had a great game with Navy through the 4th quarter, but the Buckeyes pulled away late, winning 34-17. In the GeorgiaDome from Atlanta, #2 Alabama got an unexpected battle from the West Virginia Mountaineers, only winning 33-23. Texas started the Charlie Strong era with an easy 38-7 win over North Texas.
The three big games yesterday, all lived up to the hype. After a great matchup last year, #16 Clemson and #12 Georgia met again between the hedges. Georgia came out on top 45-21. In Arlington, defending champions Florida State, survived an early test from the Oklahoma State Cowboys, winning 37-31. In maybe the best game of the night, #13 LSU, battled against #14 Wisconsin. A big game for both schools, and their respective conferences, as the Big 10 battled the SEC. LSU escaped with a 28-24 victory.
The first week of college football proved that there is no clear favorite as the best team. It should be a fun year with the new playoff system.