It was a little too sloppy for Pat Narduzzis taste, specifically a few of the penalties; but he has actually striven at constructing the kind of culture at Pittsburgh, where the Panthers can win league games even when they dont play their best. Their 21-10 triumph on Saturday over Syracuse marked the very first time considering that 2016 that Pitt has actually started a season 2-0. The defense, a staple under Narduzzi, is going to provide the Panthers a chance in every video game. They need to keep growing on offense, though, as they face an obvious stretch over the next 3 weeks versus Louisville, NC State and Boston College.
Up next: vs. Louisville (Saturday, midday ET, ACC Network).
The Vols chose up a major win off the field last week when the NCAA approved Cade Mays waiver to play immediately this season after moving from Georgia. Mays played every position on the line last season for Georgia.
Up next: at South Carolina (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
The delay in starting the season in the SEC may end up working in LSUs favor after all. The Tigers returned defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. this week after Farrell previously chose out for the season, and coach Ed Orgeron left the door open that other players might alter their mind and choose to play this season. Either method, theres a new appearance to this LSU football team, from planners to gamers, but Orgeron and his staff are confident theyve hired well enough that the defending nationwide champs will not deal with a major drop-off.
Up next: vs. Mississippi State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS).
Consistency and Wisconsin football have actually been synonymous under Paul Chryst. In his five seasons in Madison, the Badgers have won 10 or more video games in 4 of those campaigns. The formula for the a lot of part will stay the exact same in 2020: beating teams up on defense. Although linebackers Zack Baun and Chris Orr are gone, Wisconsin returns simply about everyone else on defense from a year ago and must be simply as great, if not better, against the pursue ending up 6th nationally a year ago.
Up next: vs. Illinois (Oct. 24, TBA).
You might see it coming with Louisiana after the Ragin Cajuns opened the season by taking down nationally ranked Iowa State on the road, making their own relocation into the rankings and getting a lot of excitement along the method. Two weeks into the season, Billy Napiers club has been one of college footballs finest stories.
Up next: vs. Georgia Southern (Saturday, noon ET, ESPN2).
Just what everyone anticipated from the Cowboys this season: Theyre going to grind video games out on defense. Well, maybe not, but its a great thing the Oklahoma State defense came to play Saturday in the opener– a 16-7 escape against Tulsa.
Up next: vs. West Virginia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Enjoying Alabama play the past couple of seasons with Tua Tagovailoa slinging the ball all over the field was a bit surreal. Up front, LaBryan Ray is primed for a huge season after a foot injury sidelined him a year back.
Up next: at Missouri (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Everyone around college football is rooting for McKenzie Milton to get back onto the field as he continues to combat back from the disastrous knee injury he suffered in 2018. And as Milton continues that battle, his replacement at quarterback and hometown friend, Dillon Gabriel, is playing incredibly football. After passing for 3,653 lawns and 39 touchdowns last season as a freshman, Gabriel torched Georgia Tech for 417 yards and 4 goals on Saturday in UCFs season-opening 49-21 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Up next: at East Carolina (Saturday, twelve noon ET, ESPN+).
Two games into the 2020 season, Houston transfer quarterback DEriq King has clearly made a difference in Miamis offense– but so has first-year offending planner Rhett Lashlee. And in doing so, they showcased the kind of offending balance and dynamite plays that have been doing not have in Coral Gables the past few seasons.
Up next: vs. Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler looked good in his first profession start, and the Sooners are confident in his ability ahead of Big 12 play. David Stacy/Icon SportswireNobody can beat up on the Fighting Irish for not racking up adequate design points in Week 2. After a so-so efficiency in its season-opening win over Duke, Notre Dame looked every bit the part of a national title competitor on Saturday in a 52-0 dismantling of South Florida, even without several defensive beginners. Among the most outstanding things about the Irish thus far is that they have a wealth of impact players on both sides of the ball. Its hard not to like the balance that Brian Kelly has produced.
Up next: at Wake Forest (Saturday, twelve noon ET, ABC).
Sherwoods very first start last season came at LSU, where he had 10 tackles and recuperated a fumble. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Sherwood could be one of the top breakout protectors in the league this season.
Up next: vs. Kentucky (Saturday, twelve noon ET, SEC Network).
The Buckeyes are hoping to get the band back together as they point toward their opener against Nebraska and another perform at the nationwide champion. Cornerback Shaun Wade and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, both projected first-round NFL draft picks, are preparing to return after initially choosing out for this season. Great luck discovering a better quarterback/offensive lineman/cornerback trifecta on one team in college football when you toss in quarterback Justin Fields.
Up next: vs. Nebraska (Oct. 24, TBA).
Following a huge upset in Louisianas opening week, Billy Napier didnt let his group catch its own upset versus Georgia State. The Ragin Canjuns rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to move to 2-0. Austin McAfee/Icon SportswireIts method too early to begin making a strong case for the best Group of 5 team in college football, but Cincinnati ought to definitely remain in that conversation. The Bearcats, coming off back-to-back 11-win seasons, opened the 2020 season on Saturday with a 55-20 rout of Austin Peay and may have discovered a new go-to-guy on offense. Gerrid Doaks rushed for 3 scores and caught a goal pass. His continued advancement will assist alleviate the discomfort of losing Michael Warren II to the NFL.
Up next: vs. Army (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN).
Yes, it was FCS opponent Missouri State. And yes, Oklahoma was going to win huge regardless of how redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler performed in his first career start two weeks earlier.
Up next: vs. Kansas State (Saturday, noon ET, Fox).
Overreaction is constantly appealing after a very first video game, however senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger looked plenty comfy spreading out the ball around in Texas 59-3 pasting of UTEP recently, and he did so with guys who didnt play starring functions a year back. Ehlinger is experienced enough that he does not need to depend on a couple of guys, which ought to pay huge dividends for the Longhorns this season in an offending system designed to spread the wealth.
Up next: at Texas Tech (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox).
Changing a gamer as vibrant as Lynn Bowden Jr. will be a difficulty, but the Wildcats are positive they will be more balanced on offense if quarterback Terry Wilson can stay healthy after tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee last season. Some brand-new faces require to emerge at pass receiver, and Josh Ali is somebody who might truly come on throughout his senior season. Finding consistency in the passing video game will be essential, due to the fact that Mark Stoops has done a fantastic task of getting the Wildcats SEC-ready on the line of scrimmage.
Up next: at Auburn (Saturday, noon ET, SEC Network).
After some shaking and moving, the Big Ten rejoined college footballs celebration, which implies the ESPN power rankings look a little various today.
Ohio State vaults right into the No. 2 area, and if the Buckeyes get all of their gamers back, theyre more than gifted sufficient to stake a claim to that leading spot.
And, actually, whether youre an SEC homer/hater or Big Ten homer/hater, its a coup for college football that the Big Ten is back in the mix. Possibly the Pac-12 will be next. As Alabama coach Nick Saban informed ESPN this week, it makes the sport more holistic and more representative.
” The more individuals that play, the much better it is for everyone,” Saban said.
Splitting the leading 5 this week is Notre Dame, which thrashed South Florida. That Nov. 7 Clemson-Notre Dame clash in South Bend cant get here quickly enough. Nothing like “ACC rivals” going at it under the glare of the Golden Dome.
The greatest mover this week is UCF, which opened its season by decimating Georgia Tech on the roadway a week after Georgia Tech won at Florida State. The Knights went up to No. 13. Of the top 16 teams this week, 10 are from either the SEC or Big Ten.
Youre most likely not going to get Kirby Smart to compare this Georgia defense (or any of the defenses he has had in Athens) to some of the ones he coached at Alabama, as a lot of those Tide defenses were filled with gamers now playing in the NFL. However what leaps out about this Georgia D is the speed and playmaking capability at practically every position. Noise familiar? Of the 19 defenders who dipped into least 200 snaps last season for the Dawgs, 14 return.
Up next: at Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
The Aggies prominent returning wideout, Jhamon Ausbon, revealed last week he was opting out for the season. And with Camron Buckley likewise out for the season with a torn ACL, that suggests Mond wont have any person returning at the wide receiver position who captured more than three passes last season.
Up next: vs. Vanderbilt (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
If anybody is going to unseat Ohio State in the Big Ten this season, its Penn State. If quarterback Sean Clifford takes off in new offending organizer Kirk Ciarroccas system, and specifically if star linebacker Micah Parsons returns after initially deciding out, that face-off with Ohio State the 2nd week of the season in Happy Valley looms as one of the video games of the year.
Up next: at Indiana (Oct. 24, TBA).
Two weeks into the season and Clemson has yet to break a sweat after crushing The Citadel 49-0 on Saturday. Thats not to diminish how excellent or how skilled the Tigers are, due to the fact that its apparent that theyre one of the top groups in college football and very well-coached. Trevor Lawrence is going to make a great deal of opposing defenses look bad this season. As you look down the Tigers schedule, they might not truly be evaluated till their trip to Notre Dame on Nov. 7, especially when you consider that four of their next five video games are at home.
Up next: vs. Virginia (Oct. 3, TBA).
They open the season on the roadway versus Minnesota, which has the firepower on offense to evaluate any defense. Speaking of defense, Michigan got some great news last week when star defensive end Kwity Paye stated he would play this season.
In the SEC, its usually what you havent done that dogs a program. In Floridas case, thats not beating Georgia and not getting to the SEC champion for 3 straight years. Dan Mullen has actually been constructing to this point. He won 10 games his first season and 11 video games last season. This need to be his most balanced group yet, with redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Trask returning and a gifted defense that brings back eight starters. Something else working in the Gators favor is not having to deal with Alabama throughout the regular season.
Up next: at Ole Miss (Saturday, noon ET, ESPN).
Brian Bahr/Getty ImagesIf someone not named Wisconsin is going to win the Big Tens West Division this season, keep an eye on P.J. Flecks Golden Gophers, who won 11 video games a year back. Their chances to win the department will go up substantially if star large receiver Rashod Bateman gets a waiver from the NCAA to be able to play this season after initially deciding out and signing with a representative.
Up next: vs. Michigan (Oct. 24, TBA).
With the SMU game being held off, TCU has had some extra time– some much needed time– to sort out its quarterback scenario. Max Duggan has yet to be cleared after undergoing a procedure to remedy a heart condition. Sophomore Matthew Downing also has missed out on some practice time. However Gary Patterson said the Horned Frogs need to be at full strength by the opener. Winning that video game against Iowa State will be important for TCU, particularly with 2 of the Frogs very first 3 games in October coming versus Texas and Oklahoma.
Up next: vs. Iowa State (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1).
The Tar Heels video game versus Charlotte on Saturday was delayed after the 49ers revealed they had a lot of players out due to contact-tracing procedures to safely play. That means North Carolina will not play once again until the very first weekend in October after opening the season with a 31-6 win over Syracuse, a victory that spotlighted a UNC defense geared up to choose up the slack even when sophomore quarterback Sam Howell doesnt have his best stuff. Thats excellent news for the Tar Heels moving forward.
Up next: at Boston College (Oct. 3, TBA).
2 weeks into the season and Clemson has yet to break a sweat after squashing The Citadel 49-0 on Saturday. He won 10 games his first season and 11 video games last season. The Tigers got back defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. this week after Farrell formerly opted out for the season, and coach Ed Orgeron left the door open that other players might alter their mind and choose to play this season. And with Camron Buckley also out for the season with a torn ACL, that means Mond wont have anybody returning at the wide receiver position who captured more than 3 passes last season. The Bearcats, coming off back-to-back 11-win seasons, opened the 2020 season on Saturday with a 55-20 rout of Austin Peay and might have found a new go-to-guy on offense.
