Non-BCS Games Week 1 Breakdown
There is no shortage of outstanding games for college football fans on opening weekend. We can only hope that all the hype and hoopla surrounding the BCS rankings and top-10 matchups live up to their billing. Here is a list of games during week 1 that may be sliding under the radar amidst the excitement of a new season.
Hawaii vs. Colorado
WHY YOU’LL WATCH:
The University of Hawaii has had an All-World passing offense for years, and that doesn’t figure to change with the return of quarterback Bryant Moniz. Moniz orchestrated an offense that led the nation in 2010. It will be interesting to see how the passing offense fares after losing leading receiver Greg Salas to the NFL. Hawaii has been a forgotten contender out in the WAC dating back to their undefeated regular season in 2007. Since the rise of Boise St., the Rainbow Warriors have been looking up at the Broncos. With the defection of Boise St. to the Mountain West, Hawaii has a chance to build on their 10-win season from a year ago and reclaim their spot atop the conference.
The Colorado team they face has been through monumental changes in just one season. They have switched conferences (Big 12 to the Pac-12) and head coaches (Dan Hawkins to Jon Embree). By and large, the Buffaloes have been disappointing in the Big 12 since Chris Brown ripped through defenses during the 2000-2001 season en route to the Fiesta Bowl. Perhaps the change of conference and leadership will bode well. Without Jimmy Smith, a first-round draft pick, leading the secondary Hawaii could pick apart a rebuilding Buffalo team.
East Carolina vs. #10 South Carolina
WHY YOU’LL WATCH:
Can ECU really go toe-to-toe with an SEC power? In the battle of directional Carolinas, these two programs seem to be going in different directions. South Carolina has a legitimate shot to win the SEC East with the return of stud skill players in RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jefferey. Stephen Garcia seems to have turned the light on, and he looks ready to lead this team with the weapons around him.
Offensively, East Carolina can stack up with South Carolina. Senior QB Dominique Davis is a serious weapon for ECU with his threat to run and his ability to throw. Juco transfer Reggie Bullock could add a nice 1-2 punch to the backfield if he performs like he did at the junior college level.
East Carolina’s issues begin on the other side of the ball. The defense gave up 27 points in all but one game last year. The Pirates outscored average defensive teams last year. Facing a stingy SEC defense out of the gate should be a true test for the ECU offense.
William & Mary vs. Virginia
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
There’s an up-and-coming program in Virginia under 2nd year coach Mike London and there is an intriguing quarterback under center for William & Mary. While Mike London has hit the recruiting trail hard, Michael Paulus is trying to resurrect football stardom with the Tribe. Paulus, a highly-touted quarterback coming out of high school, originally enrolled at North Carolina before injuries derailed him and he lost his grip on the starting job. After an injury-plagued season last year, the Tribe is hoping that he can live up to his status as one of the better quarterbacks coming out of the class of 2008. Paulus goes head-to-head with Michael Rocco, a new and unproven quarterback for the Cavaliers. If William & Mary can come out with a strong performance against a rebuilding Virginia team, they have an early chance to beat an FBS opponent and allow Michael Paulus to show what he can do.
James Madison vs. North Carolina
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
James Madison can beat the big opponent and North Carolina has already taken a beating. Everett Withers steps in as the interim coach for the Tar Heels after the firing of Butch Davis over serious allegations about player and coach infractions. It’s anybody’s guess how they respond to a horrendous off-season by playing a perennial FCS contender in JMU. There is plenty of talent on this UNC team and many believe they are a sleeper to win the Coastal Division despite all of their losses. The defense is especially stout with future NFL bookends on the line in Quinton Coples and Donte Paige-Moss. The Dukes will have their work cut out for them on the offensive line dealing with these accomplished pass-rushers.
The Dukes have done very well as a program since Mickey Matthews took over the program over a decade ago. Overall, they are 88-56 under Matthews and won an NCAA FCS title in 2004. Their largest accomplishment of late is defeating Virginia Tech last year in Blacksburg in a game no one thought they would win. This matchup provides another opportunity for James Madison to prove they can play with the big boys.
Houston vs. UCLA
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
Case Keenum is returning from surgery to lead Houston’s high-octane offense. Keenum tore a ligament in his knee in the same game last season. He has had a year to recover and is primed to lead an always-potent Houston offense back to a bowl game. Keenum is exciting to watch. He has a full season to throw to leading receiver Patrick Edwards, who gained 1,100 yards and reached the end zone 13 times without him last year. This combo could propel Keenum into the NCAA record books for yardage and touchdown passes by the time all is said and done. Cougar fans should be enthused to see how this offense will perform with their star quarterback returning to the huddle.
As powerful as the offense is, the Cougar defense was one of the worst in the country last year. They face a UCLA team that had an offense nearly as bad. They return Richard Brehaut at quarterback, but it remains to be seen if he will even start over Kevin Prince. The Bruins have lacked consistency at the quarterback position for several years, and it has hurt their ability to compete at the conference level. Rick Neuheisel is on the hot seat after finishing 4-8 at his alma mater in 2010. Consistently losing to USC does not help matters either. If Houston downs the Bruins handily in week one, the clock will be ticking on the Neuheisel era.
