Week 1 of College Football did not disappoint. There were upsets and even more upsets. A lot of players we expected to pick up right where they left off, took some steps back. Then some new guys stepped up that we were not expecting.
Let's take a look at the week 1 winners and losers
Winners
Anthony Richardson QB Florida
Did we see a potential Heisman moment week 1? Unranked Florida took down #7 Utah to open their season and began the Billy Napier era in Florida. Richardson was the star of the game for the Gators. 17/24 with 168 yards passing, 106 yards on the ground and 3 TDs.
Check out this incredible pump fake!
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
I am sure you are wondering why I have a team that lost as a winner from week 1. We all counted Notre Dame out in their game against Ohio State. However, Marcus Freeman had Notre Dame ready to play. They were in it from the start. They held Henderson to under 100 yards. They were 21-point underdogs and only lost by 11. I like them down the stretch. This early loss will not hurt them. We will see this Notre Dame team in the playoffs.
Georgia Bulldogs
The defending national champs are still very good. Like very very good. The dawgs came out and took down #11 Oregon 49-3 to open their season. Stetson Bennett is making a case for the best QB in the country with a 300 yard and 2 TD performance. I can't wait for a Georgia Alabama rematch.
Sam Hartman and Wake Forest
Wake Forest is trying to make some noise in the ACC. The only way they do that is with QB Sam Hartman. He was sidelined a month ago with a blood clot. He was just cleared to resume football activities and should be ready to go by their 9/24 game against Clemson.
Ed Orgeron
There is no one happier than Coach O right now. He wins a national championship, gets a nice payout, and then watches his successor lose to Florida State on a blocked extra point.
Losers
Bo Nix Oregon QB
I really had high hopes for him. He was never a bad QB at Auburn. I thought a change from the SEC to the Pac-12 would be good for him. I was wrong. After a 173 yards 0 TD and 2 INT performance against Georgia I have a fair comparison. Box Nix is the college version of NFL Carson Wentz
Virgina Tech Hokies
For the 2nd time in 4 years, Virginia Tech lost to Old Dominion. In his debut leading the Hokies, Brent Pry was unable to get the victory of their state rival. QB Grant Wells in his debut for Virginia Tech did exactly what he did at Marshall, he threw the ball to the other team a lot more than he was supposed to.
Brian Kelly LSU Head Coach
He left Notre Dame to go to LSU. He watched his successor at Notre Dame almost beat #2 Ohio Staten. Then on Sunday night he failed to take down a struggling Florida State team. Marcus Freeman is what Brian Kelly was never at Notre Dame. To make matters worse for Kelly, the LSU media and him are already at war.
DJ Uiagalelei Clemson QB
I get he played better down the stretch and Clemson got the win. However, he did not play well at all. If he is struggling this much against Georgia Tech, he is in for a short season, because Cade Klubnik is ready to take over as QB1 in Death Valley.