College Football - "Week 0" and Week 1 (Aug. 28-Sept. 4)

[Soul]

Hot damn, great win on the road for Penn State

Graham Mertz was absolutely brutal in that game. Felt like every single red zone pass was into triple coverage.

 

But obviously PSU defense gets some credit for making him look bad too. Let's hope they look past my Ball State Cardinals next week.

 

Sean Clifford was ass as well. Overthrew three wide open receivers for easy touchdowns.

The problems with Mertz aren’t often solvable. He’s late with his throws and doesn’t seem to have the strength to zip it deep out. Noodle arm + slow brain? Those are lifelong traits.

 

Someone thought he was a top prospect. That person(s) was wrong. We’re in trouble.

 

Penn State? Dunno, I doubt there will be free running receivers deep all year long. Without that they lose to a team actively laying a crap in their home opener.

[NOLA]

Did Florida State coach Norvell just freeze his own kicker?

[OleMissCub]

Did Florida State coach Norvell just freeze his own kicker?

 

He sure did

[Brian707]

Why did ND go into a prevent like defense after going up 18 late in the 3rd? Asking for a friend who bet ND -7

[PackLandVA]

Why did ND go into a prevent like defense after going up 18 late in the 3rd? Asking for a friend who bet ND -7

 

I was puzzled by this as well. It’s like they decided to play against the clock more so than against the Seminole offense….with more than a quarter left in the game. They started giving up chunk yards on the ground and never really adjusted.

 

They also had 1st and 5 late in the 4th and went run, pass, pass. Big mistake. Pound the rock.

 

I thought the “arm forward” no fumble call was wrong. Maybe by the “ letter of the law” in was accurate, but the QB is clearly starting to grab the ball with his left hand before he fumbles. At least ND escaped with the W.

[Andy]

Why did ND go into a prevent like defense after going up 18 late in the 3rd? Asking for a friend who bet ND -7

For all the hype around DC Marcus Freeman (hype I am completely in on, FTR), his first game featured as many 60+ yard plays given up as Clark Lea surrendered in 3 years, and more regulation points allowed than Lea had in all but one game of his 3 years.

 

Hopefully it's just an adjustment period.

 

Several top 10 teams looked less than perfect in week 1 so I'm not super concerned, but certainly a lot to fix. Jack Coan is awesome, though.