Penn State Football

On Sept. 1, 2007, Appalachian State shocked the world. It went into Ann Arbor and beat Michigan 34-32. Eleven years to the day, history nearly repeated itself against another Big Ten opponent.

No. 10 Penn State beat Appalachian State 45-38 in Happy Valley on Saturday, but only after the Mountaineers stormed back with a 28-point fourth quarter to force overtime. Penn State seemed to have things under control, taking a 31-17 lead early in the fourth, but Appalachian State responded with three straight touchdowns. In fact, after cutting Penn State's edge to 31-24 with 7:40 left, the Mountaineers pulled off a surprise onside kick to get the ball back. Four plays and 53 yards later, Zac Thomas was scoring a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game.

The Mountaineers defense forced a quick three-and-out after that to get the ball back and put together another scoring drive, taking a 38-31 lead with 1:47 left. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers couldn't hold onto that lead, as K.J. Hamler returned the kickoff 52 yards to give Penn State excellent field position. Seven plays later, Hamler finished the job, catching a 15-yard touchdown from McSorley to force overtime. In OT Miles Sanders broke the seal open with four straight carries, scoring on the fourth attempt to give Penn State the lead. Appalachian State's bid to tie the game would end when Amani Oruwariye picked off a pass in the end zone.

1. It wasn't the offense that was the problem: All offseason, the biggest questions surrounding Penn State were how it would replace Saquon Barkley as well as offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead. The Nittany Lions offense got off to a slow start, but at the end of the day it had done its job, finishing with 434 yards of offense and averaged a respectable 5.5 yards per carry. What would concern me if I were a Penn State fan is the performance of my defense. Appalachian State scored 38 points, including 28 in the fourth quarter. It racked up 451 yards of offense, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Now, this shouldn't be all that unexpected. Penn State has a lot of new faces on defense this season, and it's only logical that the unit would struggle early. Still, you would have hoped that it could have done better against a Sun Belt team -- even if it's a good Sun Belt team.

2. Trace McSorley showed why he'll be a Heisman candidate: McSorley's overall numbers weren't great. He completed only 21 of 36 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown through the air. He did score two rushing touchdowns, however, and added 53 yards on the ground. But it's not the numbers that mattered as much as his performance late. McSorley kept his composure and led a terrific drive late to get the game-tying touchdown, and his pass to Hamler for the score was a thing of beauty.

3. Wisconsin's on future notice: Listen, if Michigan wasn't enough to teach the Big Ten a lesson about inviting Appalachian State into its home, this game should drive the point home. But it won't be Appalachian State's last chance at a Big Ten pelt, as it's currently scheduled to play Wisconsin in Madison on Sept. 19, 2020.

College football scores

College football scores, winners & losers in Week 1: Alabama upgrades at QB, Texas stumbles again

The 2018 season is officially back. Games have been played. There have been winners. There have been losers. 

So guess what else is back?

The entire Week 1 might not be over -- there's still college football on Sunday and Monday -- but nearly all of the opening games are in the books. From dominating performances by Alabama and Oklahoma to another disappointing start for Texas and UCLA, there are a lot of storylines to get to.

With that in mind, it's time to take a step back and digest everything that's happened through the first three days of Week 1.

Winners

Alabama: Imagine, if you will, what Ferris Bueller must have felt when he got behind the wheel of Cameron's dad's 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California. That's how I like to think Alabama coach Nick Saban felt when he realized he could use a quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa. Prior to last season, Saban had already won five national championships (four with Alabama) primarily because he recruits enough blue-chip players to make those runs every year. To that point, though, he's won those titles without a true difference-maker at quarterback. No longer. Tagovailoa started Saturday's 51-14 win over Louisville and unquestionably is the guy for Alabama's offense. He can do everything Jalen Hurts does as a runner and a passer, and then some. He and receiver DeVonta Smith might be the most exciting television in the SEC. So just think: Alabama was molly-whopping opponents on the regular anyway. Now it's going to be a whole helluva a lot more fun watching them do it. 

Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush: The progression Wimbush has made as a passer from last season to Saturday night's opener against Michigan is night and day. Wimbush has always been a tremendous runner, but his development throwing the ball downfield is what should take the Irish's offense to a completely new level. His numbers (12 of 22, 170 yards, TD, INT) don't do his performance justice. His ability to evade Michigan's pressure (which was frequent) keep his composure and his eyes downfield, and deliver a more accurate strike was on display. He had help from wideouts courtesy of some spectacular catches, but this was a positive step forward in a 24-17 Irish win.

Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield: The Mountaineers may not have beat Penn State in Happy Valley, and that's what Satterfield wanted more than anything. But the 45-38 loss did one thing: It put more eyeballs on Satterfield and his team. A casual observer may remark that Appalachian State has been in this position before -- 11 years ago to the day against Michigan. And yes, App State has a brand as a giant killer. However, this was one of the least experienced teams not only in the Sun Belt, but in the country, per Phil Steele. And they almost beat Penn State on the road. Satterfield is 37-15 starting his fifth season in Boone. He's flown under the radar for bigger jobs, but he'll get a harder look now. Whether or not he takes those opportunities, he's earned them. 

Stanford wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside: It was Arcega-Whiteside, not Bryce Love, starring in No. 13 Stanford's 31-10 win over San Diego State. This is using statistics selectively, but Arcega-Whiteside's 11-to-6 catch-to-touchdown ratio in his past two games dating back to last year's Alamo Bowl is comically high. He's officially a problem. His best catch wasn't even one of his three scores. San Diego State could have been Group of Five, Power Five or The Jackson 5 and it wouldn't have mattered. There's almost nothing you can do about a human giant who, at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, can fight through any defense to latch on to a football. The catch-to-touchdown ratio will drop (... right?) but if he keeps this up, he's going to be must-watch television. 

Losers

Texas coach Tom Herman: You could put the blame of Texas' loss to Maryland on offensive coordinator Tim Beck. More on that 34-29 defeat here. Is that really solving the problem, though? Herman wouldn't even say for sure this is Beck's offense. "We'll all be calling plays on offense," Herman told reporters this week. Herman needs direction, and he needs it fast. He is, after all, an offensive guy by trade. If all else fails, Texas should be good at that. And if that means taking over for the rest of the season and making this his offense? Fine. If it means firing Beck, so be it. Texas may still rebound this year, but the earliest it can re-establish an identity, again, is 2019. That will be Year 3 for Herman. That's not when you establish identities. 

Chip Kelly's debut: The Kelly era at UCLA won't be defined by what happens in Week 1 of Year 1, but Lord in heaven, is losing to Cincinnati at home 26-17 a bad look. There are some positives, of course. Running back Kazmeir Allen is a speed demon and just the type of skill guy Kelly needs to pull off those explosive plays. The defense was good enough to win, too. However, Michigan transfer Wilton Speight couldn't move the offense and Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasn't much better. There are few sure-fire wins on the schedule and this was supposed to be one of them. Getting to a bowl might have been tough for Kelly in Year 1, but it's clear he has a ways to go with this squad. 

Texas Tech football

100% red Zone efficiency on offense

Last year, Texas Tech was the worst red zone offense in the Big 12 and one of the worst in the nation.  The Red Raiders finished No. 125 in the nation in offensive efficiency due to atrocious place-kicking and poor quarterback play.

Against Ole Miss, points may likely be more difficult to come by given the fact that Tech will be breaking in a new quarterback and three new receivers.  Thus, any foray inside the Ole Miss 20-yard-line must result in points.

Tech must score on 100% of its red zone trips, whether that be either a touchdown or a field goal.  The return of a healthy Clayton Hatfield should fix the team’s kicking woes but it remains to be seen whether the other aspects of the red zone offense will be improved.

With McLane Carter at quarterback, there is reason to believe that Tech will have better success inside the twenty.  Carter’s strength lies in his sense of timing which allows him to deliver the ball on time.

That is an area where 2017 starter Nic Shimonek struggled last season as he was often uncertain with his reads and was hesitant to make throws through tight windows.  Also, Carter is more mobile than Shimonek which could help should a play break down on on the zone-read.

Additionally, an offseason of improvement from an offensive line that returns all five starters might make a difference in the red zone ground game where Tech also faltered last year.  It should further help that Ole Miss was a historically poor defense against the run in 2017.

If the Red Raiders can find a way to come away with points on every red zone trip, and can ensure that at least 75% of those trips end in touchdowns, Tech will stand a good chance at being victorious.

Play Power Football

Texas Tech and power football have not gone together since the 1990’s.  But against Ole Miss, Tech must be the more physical team, especially on offense.

This offseason, Tech hired Kevin Johns to replace Eric Morris as the team’s offensive coordinator.  Johns brings with him a reputation for being an innovator when it comes to running the ball out of the spread formation.

That expertise could be crucial today against an Ole Miss team that allowed over 240 yards per game on the ground last year.  Johns and Kingsbury must commit to running the football, especially between the tackles.

For quite some time, the Texas Tech ground game has been a fitness rushing attack utilizing sweeps and draws to accentuate the speed of the ball careers.  But today, Tech needs to line up and go right at a weak Ole Miss linebacking group.

Look for Tech to have more plays in which 6-foot-5, 225-pound inside receiver Donta Thompson acts as a tight end.  We should also expect to see plenty of 6-foot-4, 260-pound fullback Tyler Carr acting as a lead blocker trying to isolate on a linebacker and open holes for Da’Leon Ward and Tre King.

If Texas Tech is able to impose its will physically by dominating in the run game, the Red Raiders will be able to dictate the pace of the game and will have a great shot at emerging victorious.

But it still is worth looking back at where Texas Tech had success and where it struggled las year being as the team returns so many key players.  Here is a look at some statistical areas that were significant last year and an analysis of what Texas Tech must do in those categories to knock off the Rebels.

Alabama football

Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts Will Both Play in Week 1 for Alabama vs. Louisville

The No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will play both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa in their season opener against the Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night. 

"I think we have two guys that are weapons, and they've both played well, so the plan is to play both guys in the game," head coach Nick Saban told ESPN's Chris Fowler in an interview that will air Saturday, according to ESPN.com. "So the only issue is who plays first, and we'll decide that when the time comes."

Tagovailoa only attempted 77 passes as a freshman, but he made them count. Appearing in eight games last season, the former 5-star recruit completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 636 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.      

Those numbers were bolstered by a heroic display in January's national title game against Georgia. After starting the second half in place of the struggling Hurts, Tagovailoa completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 41-yard strike to DeVonta Smith in overtime. 

Hurts, while not nearly as dynamic a passer, played his role the past two seasons and proved to be a steady game manager for a Crimson Tide team that followed the lead of its dominant defense. 

After throwing 23 touchdowns as a freshman, Hurts completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,081 yards, 17 scores and a single interception last year. He also piled up 855 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in 2017. 

Those dual-threat attributes, combined with an established track record, afforded him a chance to see action Saturday.   

However, the decision didn't come without drama considering Hurts put the coaching staff on blast for letting speculation swirl about his standing throughout the offseason.  

"This is a situation that's uncontrollable," he said, according to CBSSports.com's Kevin Skiver. "Coaches can't control this situation. They tried to let it die down. No one came up to me the whole spring, coaches included, no one asked me how I felt. No one asked me what was on my mind. Now we're trying to handle the situation now, for me, it's kinda late. It's too late. The narrative has already been created." 

Of course, Hurts won't head into Week 1 with much clarity since the actual snap-count split hasn't been confirmed. 

And if the national championship was any indication, Hurts should be on a short leash with Tagovailoa waiting to seize the starting job full-time.

Ohio State football

Ten players that must step up for Ohio State to beat Oregon St.

Game day is finally here and Ohio State football is back!

That also means the return of a weekly game day feature, "Players That Must Step Up", in which Bucknuts picks players that must elevate their game in order for Ohio State to get a win over their opponent that week. In the past, this has included five players, but in 2018, we will include 10 players, as oftentimes it's difficult for just a handful of the Bucks to be accountable for what is the ultimate team game.

Want daily inside scoop on the Buckeyes? 

This year's team motto is "Win The Moment", and while all of the nine units on the team, as well as the coaching staff, will have to work in unison to get a victory each and every week, the focus of those units "winning the moment" could depend on certain individuals who need to "bring it" in the upcoming match-up.

Today, Bucknuts takes a look at the 10 players that need to step up for Ohio State to move to 1-0 on the season and being their journey towards what they hope is a national title in the 2018 college football season.

QB DWAYNE HASKINS

Dwayne Haskins will be making his first start this afternoon, and while he doesn't need to be anywhere close to perfect for Ohio State to down the 38-point underdog Beavers, it would sure help him to start fast.

An opening drive ending with a score would do wonders to boost the team out the gate, as well as Haskins' individual confidence. Look for Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson to have him throwing the ball around a little too, to get the initial nerves off and get him in a rhythm.

Of course there are many other elements that go into the offense moving, but Haskins doing what he's capable of will go a long way in leading this team to a 1-0 start on the year.

LT THAYER MUNFORD/JOSHUA ALABI

 

It's a little unsettling for most fans that Ohio State doesn't have their left tackle position solidified for the season opener. Thayer Munford was the front-runner for the job, but has been a bit banged up in camp, and was listed as an "OR" on the depth chart, along with Joshua Alabi.

Even if Munford was healthy, he'd be a first year starter in one of the most important positions on the field as a true sophomore. Alabi is just in his second year on the o-line in college, after switching over from defensive tackle before the 2017 campaign.

Ohio State needs one of these two guys to step up in a big way, not only this week, but for the duration of the season, if they want to win a national title.

OC MICHAEL JORDAN

 

Ohio State is losing the Rimington Trophy winner for the second year in a row, as Billy Price went to the NFL. The Buckeyes have been trying to find his replacement all off-season, and finally settled on moving Michael Jordan over from guard to center.

It will be interesting to see how Jordan performs at center, as he hasn't been exclusively playing there. It's an extremely difficult position to play, and it will be key to OSU's success in week one, and the entire year, for that spot to be productive at the very least.

Big test for Jordan in week one to see how he performs manning the middle.

DE CHASE YOUNG/JONATHON COOPER

 

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa is going to get a ton of attention and double teams all year long, and certainly starting with the Beavers this afternoon. That means a ton of opportunity for Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper to do damage opposite him.

With the Buckeyes starting three new linebackers and a new safety, they'll want to protect the back seven as much as possible, by getting to the quarterback. That's where Young and Cooper come in, and it's important that the duo gets the job done and establishes themselves as dominant pass rushers in week one against an inferior opponent.

DT ROBERT LANDERS

 

Controlling the line of scrimmage up front on both sides of the ball will be key in this game and in every game Ohio State plays this season. And like Cooper and Young with Bosa, Robert Landersshould see plenty of opportunity this afternoon (and all season) to step up and make some big plays against both the run and the pass, with Dre'Mont Jones likely to see double teams on the interior.

Landers will rotate with a number of players throughout the game, as OSU likes to do, but he is the starter and will be relied on to set the tone and shut down the Beavers' offensive attack early in the contest.

LB BARON BROWNING

 

Ohio State had poor linebacker play for much of the 2017 season, and that cannot be the case one again in 2018, if this team wants to repeat as Big Ten champions and potentially compete for a national title.

With Tuf Borland suffering an injury in the spring, Baron Browning was moved over to middle linebacker and will make his first start today. It's critical that Browning steps up, as he is the captain of the defense and will be called on to stuff the run behind the stout d-line, and also make plays in space against the pass.

LB PETE WERNER

 

Very similar to Browning's situation, Pete Werner will make his first college start today at outside linebacker for the Buckeyes.

If Oregon State's staff watched any film of last year's defense, they'll try and use fullbacks and/or tight ends to pick up big chunks of yards in the passing game. Werner is going to have to play better than his 2017 teammates did against that strategy, and will also be tasked with running sideline to sideline to shut down the rushing attack.

It will be interesting to see how Werner holds up in start one. He and Browning are key to the OSU defensive success in 2018.

CB JEFFREY OKUDAH

 

We could have easily put Damon Arnette and Kendall Sheffield on the list here, but Jeffrey Okudahis the corner to make the cut, due to having the least game experience among the big three that will rotate in at corner for the Buckeyes.

The key to opposing teams moving the chains on OSU could be by attacking a secondary that lost two starters to the NFL/graduation. The Beavers likely know they won't have much running the football, so look for them to attack the Buckeyes' secondary early and often to try and put points on the board today.

S ISAIAH PRYOR/JAHSEN WINT

 

If you think corner could get picked on, you can bank on safety getting their fair share of targets as well. With Damon Webb moving on, the safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller has been open and the competition is still ongoing.

Isaiah Pryor is listed as the starter, but Greg Schiano says Jahsen Wint will rotate in with him and that the two are still battling. Whoever plays and wins the job needs to be solid, as you better believe opposing QBs will be trying to attack a young and inexperienced player, possibly the weakest link on the OSU defense heading into the season.

K BLAKE HAUBEIL

 

While Sean Nuernberger will handle field goal duties this afternoon, and likely moving forward, Blake Haubeil remains the kick-off specialist.

Last year was a miserable season when it came to kick-offs for Ohio State, as they had their issues executing the corner kick that Urban Meyer likes to employ. This year, there is all that, and another element added in, as a new rule allows for a fair catch on kicks, even those that don't reach the end zone.

Successfully kicking the ball off sounds like an easy task, but the Buckeyes had trouble doing it last year. It will be key to not give Oregon State, or any future opponent, good starting field position, so Haubeil is very important in making sure the kicks are executed as intended.

College basketball: Texas, Missouri, Duke highlight 2018 women's Gulf Coast Showcase field

College basketball

Last year's Gulf Coast Showcase eight-team women's basketball draw in Germain Arena ended up about as good as it can get.

In the title game, then-No. 6 Notre Dame snapped defending national champion and third-ranked South Carolina's 17-game winning streak with a 92-85 victory.

The Irish went on to win their first national championship in 17 years and just second ever.

Officials for the Showcase that has been in play since 2013 introduced the women's 2018 field on Thursday. Texas, which has been to 15 Sweet 16s, including the past four, and is No. 10 on the early ESPN Top 25 poll by Charlie Creme, highlights yet another deep pool.

The other really major players are Duke, Missouri and Michigan. Washington also is a Power Five conference program, but the Huskies are in major rebuild mode after making the 2016 Final Four. Mid-major power Quinnipiac also will be in the field, as will suddenly salty Ball State and Fordham.

The bracket for the Nov. 23-25 Friday-Sunday night games during Thanksgiving week will be played out after the men's field -- consisting of mid-majors who will be announced next week -- compete Nov. 19-21.

"This year's field may be the deepest in the six years of the Gulf Coast Showcase," said ESPN analyst and Gulf Coast Shootout women's tournament director Debbie Antonelli. "Five teams -- Quinnipiac, Duke, Texas, Michigan and Missouri -- played in the NCAA tournament with two of those advancing to the Sweet 16. Seven of the eight teams won 22-plus games last season and the eighth team, Washington, is two years removed from playing in the Final Four."

In the men's Showcase, Florida Gulf Coast University will play for the first time since the Eagles went 2-1 in the 2014 Showcase. Per NCAA rules, FGCU's men and women can only play in the tournament just down Ben Hill Griffin Parkway once every five years.

FGCU women's basketball followers know all about Missouri and Quinnipiac, and the Eagles will get to scout out Duke, where they'll play on Dec. 30. As 12 seeds, FGCU upset fifth-seeded Missouri at Stanford in the Eagles' best-ever NCAA tournament win before falling to the fourth-seeded host in an NCAA tournament second-rounder. And FGCU is 2-1 all-time against Quinnipiac.

Texas finished last season ranked eighth under eighth-year coach Karen Aston. The Big 12's Longhorns won the 1986 national title, have been to four Final Fours, and made the Elite Eight in 2016.

Texas graduated its top two scorers from last season's 28-7 team, but senior guard Lashann Higgs (12.8 ppg) is back and the Longhorns added homegrown, 6-foot-5 forward Charli Collier, the consensus second-rated player in her class.

Creme has Missouri at No. 11. The Tigers return All-American candidate Sophie Cunningham, the no-senior guard who dropped 35 points on FGCU, from last season's 24-8 team. The Tigers are led by ninth-year coach Robin Pingeton and they've averaged 24 wins the past four seasons.

Duke is at No. 20 in Creme's April poll. The Blue Devils, who are led by 12th-year coach Joanne P. McCallie, lost to top-seeded UConn in the Sweet 16 to finish 24-9 last season. Duke has been to 17 Sweet 16s and four Final Fours.

Michigan is led by seventh-year coach Kim Barnes Arico, already the winningest coach in Wolverines history with 134 victories. Michigan went 23-10 last season and into the NCAA tournament's second round where the Wolverines fell to second-seeded Baylor.

Washington went 7-23 in coach Jody Wynn's first run last season.

Fordham has been to just two NCAA tournaments, but the Atlantic 10 program under eighth-year coach Stephanie Gaitley went 24-10 last season. It was the fifth season in a row for the Rams to break 20 wins.

Ball State has just one NCAA tournament appearance, back in 2009. But the Mid-American's Cardinals were 25-7 last season and made the WNIT's second round under seventh-year coach Brady Sallee.

"Any of these teams is capable of winning three straight on Thanksgiving weekend, so the title is certainly up for grabs this year," Antonelli said.

2018 Women's Gulf Coast Showcase

Who: Ball State, Duke, Fordham, Michigan, Missouri, Quinnipiac, Texas and Washington
When: Nov. 23-25
Where: Germain Arena, Estero
First-Round Matchups: Friday, Nov. 23 -- Ball State vs. Fordham, 11 a.m.; Duke vs. Washington, 1:30 p.m.; Texas vs. Quinnipiac, 5 p.m.; Michigan vs. Missouri, 7:30 p.m.

Alabama Football Schedule 2018

Alabama Football Schedule 2018 

Tix	Date	Opponent	Location	Time (central)	TV	Result
	9/1	Louisville	Orlando, Fla. (Camping World Stadium)	7:00 p.m.	ABC
	9/8	Arkansas State	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	2:30 p.m.	ESPN2
	9/15	Ole Miss	Oxford, Miss.	6:00 p.m.	ESPN
	9/22	Texas A&M	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	9/29	Louisiana-Lafayette	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	10/6	Arkansas	Fayetteville, Ark.	TBA	TBA
	10/13	Missouri	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	10/20	Tennessee	Knoxville, Tenn.	TBA	TBA
	10/28	BYE
	11/3	LSU	Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium)	TBA	TBA
	11/10	Mississippi State	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	11/17	The Citadel	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	11/24	Auburn	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	TBA	TBA
	12/1	SEC Championship	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	2:30 p.m.	CBS

  Tix Date Opponent Location Time (central) TV Result 9/1 Louisville Orlando, Fla. (Camping World Stadium) 7:00 p.m. ABC 9/8 Arkansas State Tuscaloosa, Ala. 2:30 p.m. ESPN2 9/15 Ole Miss Oxford, Miss. 6:00 p.m. ESPN 9/22 Texas A&M Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA TBA 9/29 Louisiana-Lafayette Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA TBA 10/6 Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. TBA TBA 10/13 Missouri.