College football Saturday’s top-5 Week 1 report card: who aced their kickoff?
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The college football season is in full swing, and almost everyone has kicked off their seasons. Saturday featured a number of College Football Playoff favorites and hopefuls starting their seasons in the right direction.
As for the top-five teams, everyone won, while Notre Dame kicks off its season Sunday night. These first few weeks provide plenty of optimism — or concern — for the top powers in college football. It is still early in the season, but it is never too early for a college football Saturday report card.
Here is a report card for the top-five ranked teams that kicked off their seasons Saturday:
Ohio State
Result: 56-3 W over Ball State
Grade: A
The Ohio State Buckeyes were dominant and looked like a team ready to take on the season. Their 56-3 win over Ball State was exactly as convincing as the box score suggests.
Julian Sayin threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns, with two of those going to Jeremiah Smith. Smith’s 151 receiving yards led the team as he continues to close in on Ohio State’s all-time receiving records.
MORE: Ranking the most thrilling college football Saturday games of Week 1
Up next: The Buckeyes will head to Texas to take on the Longhorns in Week 2 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. It’s the game of the week by far.
Oregon
Result: 34-27 W over Boise State
Grade: C
Oregon was nearly a four-possession favorite over the Broncos. However, perhaps the oddsmakers overlooked Boise State a little bit. After all, the Broncos were a College Football Playoff team two years ago.
Still, hosting Boise State at home should have produced a more comfortable matchup, even if the Ducks failed to cover the spread. Instead, the Broncos took Oregon down to the wire.
MORE: Kenny Dillingham explains shortened fourth quarter during Arizona State-Morgan State game
Up next: The Ducks will hit the road for Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State.
Georgia
Result: 56-3 W over Tennessee State
Grade: A
Georgia handled business as expected. The Bulldogs recorded more than 600 yards of offense, including 272 rushing yards. Four quarterbacks entered the game and threw passes. It was a complete steamroll.
Nate Frazier, who could emerge as a dark-horse Heisman candidate, carried the ball four times for 72 yards and three touchdowns. After rushing for 947 yards last year, Frazier is the name to watch in Athens. Don’t forget about Gunner Stockton, either.
MORE: Lane Kiffin calls out Clemson’s offense after LSU’s 51-10 win
Up next: The Bulldogs will stay home to host Western Kentucky before opening SEC play on the road.
Texas
Result: 59-7 W over Texas State
Grade: B
Arch Manning had some very nice throws, including two touchdown passes to his brand-new weapon from the transfer portal, Cam Coleman. Both sides of the ball played strongly.
The only reason this gets a B is that some of Manning’s concerns are still being worked through. He was a bit erratic at times. Defensively, the Longhorns allowed 161 rushing yards. You can guarantee defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will bring that up in game preparation this week.
MORE: Big Ten issues statement explaining why Michigan was given one more chance at Hail Mary
Up next: The Longhorns will host Ohio State in Week 2 for a Saturday night showdown.
Indiana
Result: 52-16 W over North Texas
Grade: B
The defending College Football national champions got off to an excellent start. Head coach Curt Cignetti won’t be satisfied, though, until Indiana has another trophy in hand. The offense was firing on all cylinders, and Josh Hoover provided the clip of the year when he threw a touchdown with a bloody nose.
Defensively, the Hoosiers allowed 16 points and more than 300 yards. It’s still a dominant performance, but Cignetti is a perfectionist and will challenge his defense moving forward.
Up next: The Hoosiers will host Howard next week at home.
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