Lessons learned from NCAAF Week 2

Week 2 of college football is in the books! It’s important to not just watch the games and keep track of wins and losses but to examine the context of those events. Join us as we take a look at some major storylines from this past weekend and examine what they mean going forward.

Michigan narrowly escapes Army in double overtime

Michigan defeated Army 24-21 in double OT to escape absolute embarrassment. However, we can’t just simply put a “W” in the Wolverines' win column and move on.

Army has played well against teams like Oklahoma and Navy in the past, but has zero business walking into the Big House and having a chance to win the game as time expired.

This is the specter of a multitude of events that have occurred since Jim Harbaugh took over in 2015. Michigan has to seriously step its game up if it wants to beat Ohio State later in the year, particularly considering the Buckeyes handled Cincinnati 42-0 Saturday. That’s how you take care of business.

LSU overpowers Texas

Remember your father's LSU offense? Lining up in the I formation and throwing to a tight end? Those days are over. LSU’s new offense is here, and the Tigers have finally evolved to the air raid. Joe Burrow threw for 471 yards against Texas, and LSU receivers Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall all went over 100 yards receiving.

How will the air raid play against Alabama, Georgia and perhaps Clemson? It helps a lot. But contrary to the old LSU style, the defense didn’t show up this weekend. It’s like a Bizzaro universe in Louisiana these days, where up is down and left is right. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns. I can’t recall many quarterbacks doing that against the Tigers in recent memory.

LSU has some time to let this new offense marinate and shore up its defense. Things are easy until a gauntlet emerges, with an October 26 home date against Auburn and a November 9 trip to Alabama. If LSU can run that gauntlet, it will be on the fast track to the College Football Playoff.

Oregon runs it up

A quick note on Oregon, which put up 77 points in a win over Nevada.

How much will the College Football Playoff Committee penalize Oregon for a Week 1 loss at Auburn? While other teams played nobodies, Oregon went to Texas to face Auburn and should have won. If the Ducks can run the table and impress in the Pac-12, there could be some controversy as to whether they will get in. I have them on my “wait and see” list for now.

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