Week One is Done

The first week of college football has come to a close and it was filled with excitement right to the end (thank you UCLA-Tennessee for a great finish to the first weekend).

We've learned a couple of things early. Fresno State, Utah, and East Carolina have entered themselves into the BCS-buster conversation with BYU. Big first week wins by all three have opened the door for them to be considered as this year's Hawaii. All face great tests in the near future (Wisconsin, Oregon State, & West Virginia respectively) but for now they are all 1-0 and the sky is the limit.

There were no jaw-dropping upsets like last year (Appy State was obliterated by LSU) but let's not downplay the Sun Belt getting a big victory as Arkansas State beat Texas A&M this weekend. I know A&M was supposed to be down a little this year but...Arkansas State? Seriously?? The Sun Belt conference hasn't even one step above I-AA (I refuse the FBS/FCS distinction....it's always been I-AA and to me it will remain I-AA), they have been I-AA teams playing division one football. Maybe this win is a sign for the future. Florida Atlantic certainly made some waves last year with their level of play.

As has been suggested by many in the past, perhaps this is a sign that reduced scholarships and stricter academic guidelines are leading to a levelly of the playing field. Athletes in the past who no one would ever classify as "students" are not allowed to get away with as much as they used to because if teams don't maintain certain academic standards they lose scholarships. The big time programs can only afford to take so many borderline "students" without doing serious damage to the program. The trickle down effect is starting to be felt. It seems to me that we will see at least one non-BCS school in the BCS every year. We have 4 teams with legitimate shots at pulling it off this year (three above and BYU, who is everyone's darling this year).

Another thing we learned this weekend, signs point to another rough season for the ACC. I'm not ready to say that the sky is falling as many have but it doesn't look good. Only BC & Wake Forest really looked like they have something to offer. It's hard to judge Miami and Georgia Tech who pounded some I-AA teams. People have made a lot of Alabama destruction of Clemson. Granted Clemson should be better than that offensively considering the amount of returning talent they have but perhaps Alabama is better than people are giving them credit for. It's only week one and if 5 weeks from now, Bama is 5-0 and Clemson is 4-1 having rolled over their next 4 opponents people may take a very different view of this game. Last season, Virginia Tech was destroyed by eventual national champion LSU very early in the season yet they still won the ACC and made it to the BCS.

Looks like another fun filled season of college football. As always I will be watching.