Week 1 college football observations: Impressive starts for Oklahoma, Arkansas

For 9 months, Oklahoma heard about how a lot it had misplaced with the departure of coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams to Southern California. The Sooners have been going to crumble. They have been doubtlessly going to slide from their perch atop the Huge 12 and would finally battle when it got here time to enter the Southeastern Convention.  

Enter Brent Venables.

The previous Oklahoma defensive coordinator left his related job at Clemson to return to Norman. He rebuilt the passion across the program. He is been a maniac on the recruiting path. And Sooners followers and gamers have responded. Greater than 75,000 have been in attendance on the spring sport. And the gamers have been prepared for Saturday’s opener towards Texas-El Paso.

Oklahoma scored rapidly with three touchdowns on its first three possessions, together with a landing run and move from new quarterback Dillon Gabriel. It was 21-0 halfway by means of the primary quarter. From there the sport was on cruise management with a rebuilt protection offering six sacks and permitting simply 28 dashing yards on 31 carries.

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The 45-13 victory Saturday does not imply the Sooners are a lock to win the Huge 12 or compete for the School Soccer Playoff. Nonetheless, it was an necessary second to kick off a brand new period for one of many elite applications within the sport.

The checks will get a lot more durable and questions in regards to the offensive line and secondary stay. However the three-plus-hour efficiency was a fantastic begin and reveals that higher issues are forward, and that needs to be celebrated after all of the critics have been sounding off for the reason that finish of final season.

4 different observations from the primary full weekend of the faculty soccer season:

Arkansas makes assertion with Cincinnati win

The Razorbacks aren’t horny. They’re only a bodily, grinding crew that may lure you right into a slugfest and, extra occasions than not, find yourself on the successful aspect. That is been the components within the Sam Pittman period and it labored successfully towards the Bearcats.

Arkansas ran for 224 yards towards a rebuilt Cincinnati protection that final season led the Bearcats to the School Soccer Playoff. KJ Jefferson offered the important thing performs within the passing sport with three touchdowns, together with a 32-yard strike to Trey Knox within the fourth quarter that keyed a 31-24 victory. Whereas plenty of consideration has been paid to Texas A&M because the second-best crew within the SEC West, the Razorbacks clearly have a declare to that spot, particularly after beating the Aggies final season. The win Saturday solely provides to their argument.

North Carolina State is not prepared for prime time

Offseason chatter had the Wolfpack as one of many favorites within the ACC and attainable playoff contenders – and far of these expectations made sense. However lofty offseason reward is a harmful factor. How do all these optimistic predictions influence the way you put together for the season? Are you able to keep away from overconfidence?

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East Carolina was at all times going to be a harmful opener on the street. Nonetheless, the sport appeared below management for N.C. State. It led by 14 within the second half and by seven when a fourth-quarter drive obtained to the ECU 1. 4 runs into the road resulted in no factors as Dave Doeren eschewed a area purpose and a two-score lead. Devin Leary then would throw a key interception close to midfield with 5 minutes left, opening the door for the Pirates. N.C. State solely was saved as a result of East Carolina would miss a possible game-tying additional level and game-winning area purpose. There was celebration and reduction afterward and hopefully a realization that these press clippings do not imply a lot when the ball is snapped.  

Not all unhealthy information for Pac-12

The high-profile losses by Utah and Oregon towards SEC colleges will rightfully draw plenty of consideration. It damages the league’s playoff prospects and additional casts doubt on the place it stands after the newest spherical of convention realignment. 

Nonetheless, there have been two notable outcomes from groups below the radar which can be price noting. Oregon State adopted the momentum of final yr’s bowl season with a powerful win towards perennial Mountain West energy Boise State. The Beavers introduced themselves as professional Pac-12 title contenders with a protection that blanked the Broncos within the first half and compelled 5 turnovers in a 34-17 win. 

Arizona, which gained one sport in Jedd Fisch’s debut season, went on the street and dominated San Diego State, spoiling the opening sport within the Aztecs’ new stadium. Two transfers have been key – quarterback Jayden de Laura and broad receiver Jacob Cowing. The duo linked for 3 touchdowns within the 38-20 victory. Up subsequent is Mississippi State and one other alternative to impress because the Wildcats attempt to rebuild from one of many lowest of lows in program historical past.

Control BYU

The Cougars face a demanding schedule with matchups towards Baylor, Oregon, Arkansas and Notre Dame, however there’s sufficient expertise for Kalani Sitake’s crew to make a run on the New Yr’s Six. That robust schedule offers alternatives for high quality wins that may increase BYU’s resume.

Earlier than that tough schedule kicks in subsequent week with a go to from the Bears, BYU went on the street and dismantled South Florida, scoring the primary 38 factors of the sport beginning with Puka Nacua’s 75-yard run on the sport’s first play. It was the sort of displaying you’d need from a crew in a street opener with an enormous sport on deck and proves this crew is mature sufficient to deal with the problem.