Amazing venues, heartbreaking defeats and my predictions on college football's opening week
Our first trip ever to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. First, we researched what is a Utah Ute? The dictionary says "Ute" is in honor of the American Indian tribe for which the State of Utah is named for. My personal definition is that a Utah Ute is a kind, structured and disciplined individual (the campus was literally closed at six the night before with the most energy outside the library) who shows up on game day with unlimited enthusiasm.
Against Florida, the Utes scored on their first offensive play, a 70-yard touchdown reception and the place went bonkers. The combination of quarterbacks Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson made up for the absence of injured Utah starter Cameron Risen. The Utes also controlled the game at the line of scrimmage, yielding just 13 rushing yards and winning 24-11. The real story though is the atmosphere at Rice-Eccles Stadium, a venue of 53,000 literally built in and surrounded by mountains. An amazing experience with a picture-perfect postcard.
More: With college football starting, it's less about games, and all about conferences crumbling
Jim Harbaugh's hypocritical take
Did you see where Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh criticized the inequities in a billion-dollar industry in which players are limited to NIL money, a scholarship and a $5,000 stipend? "The status quo is unacceptable. I don't think the current system is going to survive."
He's right, of course, but it's hard to ignore the hypocrisy of respecting a convicted cheater's opinion. Harbaugh still commands national attention where others would have been fired for their transgressions. The purity of the game has disappeared.
NCAA's new transfer rule is gobbledygook
Did you know the NCAA modified the transfer rule, which now prevents players from being immediately eligible if they transfer a second time? The are now three exceptions: Reasons related to the student-athlete's physical or mental well-being, exigent circumstances and assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities. This language is so ambiguous, one wonders who drafts these regulations. It's just a matter of time until it is history.
Cal and Stanford catch a break
Looks like Cal and Stanford are going to get thrown a life raft by the ACC. Expanding to the West Coast is in vogue everywhere, even when it doesn't make sense. Too bad for Oregon State and Washington State, who both are on the outside looking in. The new Power Four.
Family matters at Iowa
We mentioned last year that Iowa had the second-worst total offense in the country, averaging just 7 points per game. Yet it brought back offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who is the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz. No other assistant coach would have survived Iowa's abysmal statistics. Michigan transfer Cade McNamara is the new quarterback. Good luck.
Nebraska is defeated at Minnesota
Nebraska suffered what has to be called one of the most gut-wrenching defeats of all time and the worst loss ever in the Matt Rhule era (his first game) after losing, 13-10, to Minnesota on a successful final play field goal. The Huskers, up 10-3 with minutes left, fumbled the ball in Minnesota territory, giving the Gophers hope. On fourth-and-10 from the Husker 13-yard line, the Gophers converted an acrobatic touchdown, and with the extra point, tied the game. On the ensuing possession, Nebraska drove into Minnesota territory only to have transfer quarterback Jeff Sims throw his third interception of the game with less than a minute left. Minnesota drove 22 yards to win it on a 46-yard field goal. Different coach. Same script. Total devastation.
This weekend's games ...
Colorado at TCU (-20): On our way to Fort Worth, Texas, to "Primetime's" debut at Colorado. His new-look Buffaloes are a significant underdog. Deion Sanders did what no other coach ever has done — he purged his roster. Only 10 scholarship players are back because Sanders encouraged them to transfer on day one. He brought in over 50 players, including his son Shedeur, who will be the starting quarterback. He played for dad last year at Jackson State. TCU had an improbable run last year, playing for the national championship against Georgia. But its performance was an embarrassment (65-7 loss) that still leaves a bad taste here. Still, it will have the home crowd and quarterback in Chandler Morris, who opened last season as the starter. And its coach, Sonny Dykes, is an offensive genius. I expect nothing but chaos from Colorado, which is the closest thing to a college football expansion team. I love Sanders' "shtick" and the gift his voice is to the game. But what he did was so unconventional, it will come back to haunt him if he continues down that path. Horned Frogs roll!
No. 5 LSU at No. 8 Florida State (+2.5): The only top-25 matchup but preseason rankings are given no credibility here. The Seminoles will have the home-field advantage, though the game is in Orlando. The teams played last year at LSU and FSU did everything it could to let the Tigers back into the game, only to block a PAT conversion late and win it, 24-23. These teams are mirror images of each other. They have speed at all the skill positions and two dual-threat quarterbacks returning in Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Jordan Travis (FSU). Florida State returns most of its defensive players, except they weren't that good defensively last year. LSU linebacker Harold Perkins is as good as it gets. If he can disrupt the Seminole offense look out. Expect a high-scoring game with FSU making the plays late to win.
followtheschreib61@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: A picture-perfect opener in Salt Lake City, and my college football picks
