The best and worst of week zero
Week 0 of the college football season acts as a nice little appetizer for fans as we prepare for the months to come. Some appetizers prove to be overrated (Florida State/guacamole) while others prove to be underrated (Georgia Tech/spinach artichoke dip). Nonetheless, appetizers of all shapes and sizes are always welcomed and enjoyed.
As we get ready for Week 1, let's take this opportunity to look back at some noticeable things that happened this past weekend. This slate of games was watched across a few different bars, I mean....libraries... in Austin, TX where every team that was playing was represented by at least one cheering fan. More on that later.
But anyways, lets get into it. Here are some little tidbits of things that I saw while enjoying Week 0 of the college football season. In the wise words of the late JFK, "Here we go."*
In my research, I could not find a particular instance of JFK actually saying these exact words. However, by all accounts, JFK was very outgoing and partook in thousands of conversations throughout his life. I would bet my tiny amount of life savings and my already tainted reputation that he said this exact quote at least once.
Who is hot?
I will start this like I am a middle school girl by making a Hot vs Not list. It looks like one member typically found on the Not list might have taken off their glasses and gotten a makeover as they now find themselves on the Hot list. And that is...
Georgia Tech
As a Georgia alum it almost pains me to say this, but how about Georgia Tech. Those pencil-pushing pesky little Yellow Jackets may have grown up a bit and figured out how to engineer a solid football team. You cannot say enough about the job Brent Key has done in deep-cleaning the program and removing the stench of Geoff Collins.
If their last-second upset win over top-10 FSU was not a fluke and GT really is that solid across both lines of scrimmage, then they'll have a chance at making some noise this season, beyond their traditional annoying buzzing sound.
Montana State
The Montana State vs New Mexico game was a rare instance in which an FCS school was favored over an FBS school, on the road no less. I personally thought that was an egregious mistake and that Vegas made a typo. But like many, many other instances in my life, I was wrong.
New Mexico hopped out to an early lead before Montana State engineered an improbable last second victory, stunning the dozens of Lobos fans in the stands to the tune of a 35-31 score.
The most stunning thing about this game, however, was the fact that I stumbled upon a watch-party of about 10 or so Montana State alumni, which I assume was half of their graduating class. They seemed to be nice folks, so I was happy to see the Bobcats pull out the win.
Who is not hot?
Florida State
An absolute nightmare scenario for the Florida State program unfolded across the pond in easy breezy beautiful Dublin, Ireland. A loss to start the season left FSU fans starved to the likes of which Irishmen haven't seen since the famous potato famine of the 1850s (too soon?).
The 'Noles thought they could be the ones who finally got QB DJ Uiagalelei to reach his maximum potential. This conjured up thoughts of "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." And although George Bush absolutely butchered that, it still remains true.
It looks like FSU may still be holding onto last season's playoff snub, even though they repeatedly pinky promised that they weren't.
It was also pointed out to me that the name Florida State is a bit redundant; everyone knows that Florida is a state. This lack of efficiency across the board showed on Saturday, and now the 'Noles must turn things around quickly if they want a shot at the ACC title.
SMU
Speaking of the ACC, newcomer SMU looked utterly unimpressive in their 29-24 victory over Nevada, a game in which they trailed 13-24 in the fourth quarter. A school at which trust funds are so important, the football program will have to work hard to have fans trusting that fun will be had this season.
Me
For whatever reason it is quite chilly in my room right now as I type this, and I don't even have the fan on. I am not quite ready to pull out a sweater, but I am certainly not hot right now.
Looking Ahead
The real fun starts this week with a full slate of games. Beginning Thursday night, it will be an all-you-can-watch buffet for college football fans.
The Saturday slate will kick into full gear when Georgia and Clemson renew their storied rivalry in Atlanta, GA in a clash between championship winning coaches and talented rosters. The teams last met in 2021 when Georgia won 10-3, sparking a championship run. I heard anybody who is anybody was at that game (I was at that game).
Another fierce rivalry game will be played at 3:30 between Miami (FL) and Florida, a game in which both head coaches desperately need to win. Like the stands in the stadium, both coaches sit on hot seats and want nothing more than to shove one in their rival's faces.
The Saturday night cap will take place in College Station, TX when Notre Dame trots into town to take on the fighting Elk and Texas A&M. The 12th Man (which consists of way more than 12 men) will be rocking as they try to help the Aggies turn their program around after the Jimbo Fisher era. A win here would generate of ton of momentum for either program for the weeks to come.
You thought that might be it for the weekend, but not so fast my friend! LSU and Southern California will square off in Las Vegas on Sunday night in a Sin City showdown. Even without Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Tigers' offense will try to bust through the Trojans like many have in the past.
If you have read this far, kudos to you, and I'm sorry. Let's circle back next week, and happy college football season to you all!
With love,
-NB