WASHINGTON — Unlike college basketball, where most of the blue bloods actually wear blue (look it up: UNC, UCLA, Kansas, Kentucky & Duke), the majority of college football teams wear red.
Saturday night we saw two premiere programs battle in a Top 5 showdown, with Oklahoma under first-year-interim-former-vice-president-coach Lincoln Riley (you could never have gotten away with having a Sooners coach named “Lincoln” during the Big Eight days).
Somehow, the fresh-faced 34 year-old went from substitute teacher to “Coach in his own right” as OU shocked the 2nd ranked Buckeyes in the Columbus night, winning going away 31-16. Heisman Trophy candidate Baker Mayfield won the Ohio primary over J.T. Barrett by throwing for 386 yards and three scores, and the rest of the Big 12 is on notice that the Sooners are back. As opposed to 2016, when they were a disappointing 11-2.
Being a blue blood — no matter which color you wear — is never fair.
Maryland (2-0) took to Towson like a blowtorch through butter in its 63-17 rout of the Tigers, scoring on its first three possessions of the game, then reaching the end zone the first five times they had the ball after intermission. They’ve started 2-0 before…but not with this type of ferocity. Games like Northwestern and at Minnesota all of the sudden appear more winnable, and the road to six victories (and postseason play) becomes a lot more manageable.
Terrapin Triumphs: Ty Johnson tallied TD runs of 46 and 74 yards en route to another 100+ yard afternoon, while the team gained better than 10 yards per carry. Kasim Hill excelled in his first career start, making plays with his arm and feet. D.J. Moore caught both of Hill’s TD passes and ran for a third score on a broken play in which he was almost brought down in the backfield. The defense held the Tigers to six yards on 13 plays from scrimmage in the third quarter to effectively end the game.
Terrapin Troubles: A soft first half by the D (an 81-yard scoring march, plus a drive that died inside the Maryland 10) was less than ideal as the Tigers converted 6-of-10 third downs before intermission. Calling out the schedule-makers too for the Week 3 bye — when you score 114 points over the first two weeks the only thing that can contain you is inactivity.
Next: September 23 vs. UCF
Virginia (1-1) received a dose of reality in its 34-17 loss to Indiana. Yes, this team is better than the 2-10 squad that suffered early and often in head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s first season, but the Hoos still have strides to make. And those strides haven’t been made yet.
Cavalier Congrats: Kurt Benkert threw for 259 yards and a touchdown while going another week without tossing an interception. Jordan Mack led a defense that held IU to 4-of-15 on third down by tallying 16 tackles and a half-sack. Micah Kiser and Quin Blanding provided their customary 10+ tackles as well.
Cavalier Concerns: The running game netted just 55 yards. The defense allowed a redshirt freshman to complete 80 percent of his throws and coughed up scoring plays of 26, 29 and 32 yards. The punt coverage team surrendered a game-clinching 44-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
Next: Saturday vs. 1-0 Connecticut
Virginia Tech (2-0) had less than six days to prepare for Delaware, but wound up blanking the Blue Hens just the same, 27-0. Can we see a battle of unbeatens to wrap up the month against Clemson (apologies to coach Justin Fuente for looking ahead)?
Hokie Highlights: Greg Stroman returned a punt 61 yards for the first TD of the day. Redshirt freshman Josh Jackson threw two touchdown passes while turning in another turnover-free game. The defense was led by the Edmunds brothers: Tremaine tallied 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble while Terrell added eight stops, a sack and a 55-yard interception return.
Hokie Humblings: The offense converted just 3-of-11 third downs, while the running game that gained 234 yards against West Virginia was held to under three yards per carry.
Next: Saturday vs. 0-2 East Carolina
Navy (2-0) survived a scare in Annapolis, outdueling Tulane in a battle of option offenses 23-21. The AAC waters will be rough sailing this fall for the defending West Division champs.
Midshipman Medals: Zach Abey ran for over 100 yards while throwing a 79-yard touchdown pass. DJ Palmore led the defense with 10 tackles and the D held the Green Wave to 3-of-14 on third down. Owen White averaged over 40 yards per punt. The Mids did not commit a penalty.
Midshipmen Miscues: The offense turned the ball over twice and Abey completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the second straight week. If they’re going to contend for a second straight trip to the AAC Championship Game, the attack has to be a little more versatile.
Next: Saturday vs. 1-1 Cincinnati
