The opening weekend of college football is finally here and we are welcomed with a plethora of attention grabbing games with big-named teams with plenty of next level talent. The emphasis on the inaugural weekend for the games below are highlighted by no other than the quarterback position whether it’s the hunt for a starter out of a myriad of passers for Alabama and Louisville or choosing between two Heisman candidates as Ohio State will have to handle on Labor Day and probably more as the season progresses.
By: Christian Page
The attention may be more focused on the players under center, but the spotlight should cast its shine on a group of solid runners in the backfield headlined by Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, and Melvin Gordon’s shoe-filler and highly regarded running back Corey Clement of Wisconsin. The games below will display the quick notes with notable matchups and face offs between some of the top talent on the field in this week one of college football.
Michigan at Utah, 8:00 EST, Fox Sports 1 (Thursday)
Jim Harbaugh will have the media wrapped around his finger as always heading into this game Thursday night but there are many other aspects that need to be focused on within the game itself. Utah is headlined by running back Devontae Booker as he returns as the team’s leading rusher from 2014 while also being the Pac-12’s runner-up in rushing yards a season ago. Booker packs a punch at 5’11 213 lbs. accompanied by his second gear speed with good vision and ability to make plays in open space as a receiver. Booker will be chomping at the bit to get on the field, as he was very average in last year’s showing versus the Wolverines.
The game plan for the Utes will simply be to pound the ball with Booker and run the offense through him though strong-armed quarterback Travis Wilson will be under center to start the season. Wilson put together a fairly efficient 2014 with an 18-5 ratio but will be throwing against a pretty sticky secondary headlined by Stanford transfer Wayne Lyons and former five star recruit Jabrill Peppers. As far as matchups go, Utah may put some prospects on the map this evening across the defensive line with playmakers Hunter Dimick and Jason Fanaika having the advantage over a very average Michigan offensive line.
It’s hard to say what direction the Michigan offense will go in with a new coaching staff, a new face at quarterback, and a couple of options to choose from at running back with Derrick Green or De’veon Smith. The defense will be headlined by linebackers James Ross and Joe Bolden as both come into the season as the two top draft prospects for the Wolverines. Stanford graduate transfer Wayne Lyons will also make his mark for the Wolverines this week with his best attributes coming in the run game as he is still working on his ball skills and overall coverage.
Other players to keep an eye out for:
Michigan: TE Jake Butt, RG Kyle Kalis, LB Desmond Morgan, DE Willie Henry
Utah: C Siaosi Aiono, S Tevin Carter, LB Gionni Paul, P Tom Hackett
No. 6 Auburn vs. Louisville (Atlanta), 3:30 EST, CBS
Fourteen. Fourteen players have been drafted from the so-called basketball school in the past two years with four coming in the first round. So it’s no secret that there is some talent in Louisville. We know the scheme Bobby Petrino will take on, but we don’t know who will be under center. Petrino will choose from four quarterbacks to throw at new Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s defense. The offensive firepower will be on point in this late afternoon kickoff with both teams predicating their success on points scored or at least that’s what they want us to think.
The Jeremy Johnson hype has been through the roof this offseason as he is becoming one of the highest regarded quarterbacks in the SEC. Johnson is a smooth passer with solid mechanics and possesses underrated mobility and speed. He will be throwing to Duke Williams who is viewed as a top three receiver in the 2016 class showcasing a wide catch radius and crisp route running. Sticking with Auburn but slipping side, the defense is pleased to welcome back star-studded defensive end Carl Lawson who will accompany a heavy talented defensive line with Montravius Adams and Devonte Lambert. Jonathan Jones and Michigan transfer Blake Countess will duel with a couple of heavily talented, but not highly publicized receiving duo, in Jamari Staples and Ja’Quay Savage who both have the ability to blow the top off the defense while also packing in big frames as possession receivers.
The Louisville defense has been stout as of late with playmakers coming from all over from recent years. This season the defensive line is the anchor with Sheldon Rankins playing a versatile role interchangeably playing tackle and end accompanied by solid run stuffer and underrated pass rusher nose guard DeAngelo Brown. The talent is plentiful Saturday in the Georgia Dome, but the schemes offensively and defensively counter in what makes this a very intriguing matchup of two unfamiliar foes.
Other players to keep an eye out for:
Auburn: WR Ricardo Louis, RT Avery Young, LB Cassanova McKinzy, LB Kris Frost
Louisville: WR James Quick, RT Aaron Epps, LB James Burgess, LB Devonte Fields
No. 15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (Houston), 7:00 EST, ESPN
One of the more underrated showings of the week, the Sun Devils and Aggies will face off at NRG Stadium Saturday under the lights. Saying the game is underrated does not necessarily mean the two teams have been. Both teams being on the verge of something special, we think, and this game is vital to kick off their respected season with some confidence and momentum. Points will be a plenty in this matchup with two offensive heavy teams with two shaky defenses that need to step up in order for either or both teams to make a statement in 2015.
Arizona State will display one of the better offensive lines (need to sure up the tackle positions though) in the Pac-12 with pro prospects Nick Kelly, Vi Teofilo, and most notably Christian Westerman. Westerman is billed as one of the top guard prospects in 2015 as he is an athletic punishing run blocker with still some work to do in pass protection. Westerman will have his work cut out for him when facing a solid Texas A&M front with most of his work coming head-to-head with senior prospect Alonzo Williams. The Texas A&M defensive depth chart is filled with young talent that we may be talking about a year from now for the same purposes.
Both offenses showcase some top tier talent at all skill positions whether being draft eligible or not. In order to utilize his complete skill set, the Sun Devils made the move of lining DJ Foster up at wideout after spending his entire career as a phenomenal pass-catching running back. A very multiple spread offense will help give Foster a stage to showcase his talent against a Texas A&M defense that is still in the process of improving. The Aggies have a handful of young receivers with all possessing next level talent headlined by Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones. Both will interchangeably matchup up with ASU prospect, cornerback Lloyd Carrington.
Other players to keep an eye out for:
Arizona State: QB Mike Bercovici, LB Antonio Longino
Texas A&M: OT German Ifedi, C Mike Matthews, DE Julian Obioha, CB De’Vante Harris
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 20 Wisconsin (Dallas), 8:00 EST, ABC
A few years ago this may be the most boring yet exciting game to watch on opening weekend. Now with a multiple style offense run by Lane Kiffin we may get to see a few more points put on the board. With star running back Melvin Gordon departing Wisconsin will call upon junior Corey Clement to take the reins of the always-coveted Wisconsin starting running back role. Clement is similar in many ways to his predecessor with quick feet and agility to quickly cut up field to make the biggest gain out of every opportunity. Clement will have to do it with an offensive line that only returns two starters facing off against a solid front seven for the Tide.
The Alabama defensive line could have their day with three solid NFL Draft prospects Jarran Reed, Jonathan Allen, and current top ten prospect A’Shawn Robinson playing against an unproven but always physical tough Wisconsin line headline by Tyler Marz. Robinson will get most double teams Saturday night, which could open up the outside for more of a pass rush with Allen and Reed. Reggie Ragland will be the ringleader of the linebackers with an important role of facing a run-heavy Badger squad giving scouts a good read on how Ragland can be in the run game.
Both teams are known for producing NFL talent and, as of now, both teams are shockingly not substantially filled with those type players this season as we are used to seeing. With that said, I could look foolish when I reread this at the end of the season.
Others to keep an eye out for:
Alabama: RB Derrick Henry, TE OJ Howard, C Ryan Kelly, CB Cyrus Jones
Wisconsin: C Dan Voltz, S Michael Caputo, DB Tanner McAvoy
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
