To quote the late great Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green, the top 25 this past week “were who they thought they were!” Only #3 Alabama went down this week to #11 Texas in a great game. Not many teams leave Tuscaloosa with a win, but the Longhorns came out on top with a 34-24 win and moved up to #4 in this week’s top-25 rankings. No top-25 teams play against each other this week, so we will see if they can maintain their rankings or if an upset is in our midst.
This is what college football brings us weekly, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Week 3. Follow along as we guide you through all the storylines, player profiles and game previews you need this college football season. Enjoy!
College Football Primer Week 2 (Devy Fantasy Football)
Favorite Storylines
Duke: Not Just a Basketball School?
The Blue Devils are coming off a nine-win season with 18 returning starters, including QB Riley Leonard. Their remarkable season-opening performance against #9 Clemson shocked the college football world. Despite the surprising nature of their 28-7 victory, it was a moment of affirmation for both the Blue Devils and their dedicated fan base. Under the guidance of second-year coach Mike Elko, this team has undergone a significant transformation. Notably, Duke possesses a potential first-round NFL pick in Leonard, who initially intended to pursue a basketball career but received a last-minute opportunity to play QB. Coach Elko has demonstrated his prowess by amassing an impressive 11-4 record in his first 15 games at Duke, setting a new benchmark for head coaches in the school’s history.
Following their momentous win over Clemson, Duke has returned to the national rankings at #21 this week, marking their first appearance since 2018. The Blue Devils are favorites in their next two contests, commencing with this Saturday’s matchup against Northwestern. Afterward, they are set to face Notre Dame on Sept. 30, offering yet another opportunity to shine on the national stage. It’s evident that Duke’s football program is getting accustomed to the spotlight, and the future looks promising.
#FreeDazzle
I’m sure you have been hearing about UNC’s head coach Mack Brown being called out for his comments regarding WR Dazzle Walker’s transfer ineligibility request, but if not, here is the synopsis. Dazzle Walker embarked on a journey from Kent State to North Carolina after the 2022 season, marking the official second transfer of his college career. Initially enrolling at North Carolina Central, Walker’s path was significantly affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to the cancellation of the 2020 football season at NC Central. Walker’s stint with the Eagles never saw him step onto the football field due to the season’s cancellation. Consequently, he pursued his football aspirations at Kent State, where he showcased his talents, amassing 58 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2022 season. His decision to transfer to UNC was driven by a desire to be closer to his ailing grandmother, who profoundly influenced his life.
However, the NCAA implemented a new rule during the offseason, requiring two-time transfers to obtain a waiver from the governing body to gain immediate eligibility at their new schools. In a decision made in August, the NCAA ruled that Walker would be ineligible to play in the 2023 season. In response, North Carolina swiftly appealed, but unfortunately, the appeal was denied shortly after the commencement of North Carolina’s first game of the season. Mack Brown clarified that the school did not have an issue with the rule itself but rather with the perception of Dazzle Walker as a two-time transfer. It is worth noting that the NCAA’s actions, in this case, have drawn significant criticism, with many regarding them as unjust, and for such a controversial organization to have the opportunity for a feel-good story is a perplexing oversight.
Player Spotlights
Quarterback
JT Daniels (SR – Rice) | 6-2, 237
Remember when JT Daniels was going to be the next big QB at Georgia? Well…. he’s the Rice QB now and is not doing too shabby. Daniels delivered a standout performance that left all of us devy managers wondering where it was two years ago. He showcased his exceptional skills in a surprising victory over Houston last week, completing 28 of 42 passes for an impressive 401 yards and three TDs. Daniels dissected the Houston defense with sniper-like precision, exploiting every opening in their coverage. He showed an ability to read the game and find his targets accurately. We will see if he can keep it going this week as Rice takes on Texas Southern.
Running Back
Omarion Hampton (SO – UNC) | 6-0, 220
Omarrion Hampton, the dynamic running back for UNC, delivered a breathtaking performance that left fans and opponents in awe. In a clash against Appalachian State, Hampton carried the ball 26 times for an astounding 234 yards and three TDs. His remarkable ability to find running lanes, break tackles and accelerate downfield was on full display, leaving defenders grasping at air in their attempts to stop him.
He reminded fans of the type of performance they used to get from Javonte Williams. This week, #20 UNC has a tough test against the 2-0 Minnesota Golden Gophers. But Minnesota does have a middle-of-the-pack run defense this year, ranking 78th, so there could be a shot for Hampton to be a compelling piece of the offense.
Wide Receiver
Hudson Clement (RS FR – West Virginia) | 6-1, 199
A little-known walk-on who only played last week due to multiple injuries had a massive game for West Virginia. In his first significant playing time of his career, last week against Duquesne, Hudson Clement had five catches for 177 yards and three TDs. He instantly became the leader in the entire nation in Yards per Reception and is now leading the Big 12 in receiving TDs. He’s only the third receiver in WVU history to have a receiving game of over 175 yards (Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey).
WVU head coach Neal Brown said Clement would play more regularly moving forward. He will be an interesting name to keep your eye on. This week, WVU plays at home against rival Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl.
Games Of The Week
#8 Washington (-17.5) vs. Michigan State
Will the Washington Huskies be able to stave off the possibility of an upset by Michigan State, even amid the tumult surrounding the Spartans this week? You know the Spartans will not be a pushover in this battle of soon-to-be conference opponents, as Washington will join the Big Ten next season with USC, UCLA and Oregon.
Following the suspension of Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker on allegations of sexual harassment, Harlon Barnett assumes the role of interim head coach, with former Spartans legend Mark Dantonio returning as an associate head coach. Michigan State faces a daunting situation as they gear up to confront the Huskies, who defeated them in Seattle last year. Both teams enter this matchup with unblemished 2-0 records for the season.
With the formidable odds stacked against them, I don’t think Michigan State will be able to muster the strength to pull off a remarkable triumph against the Huskies, who currently have the No 1 passing offense in the entire country, led by senior QB and Heisman hopeful Michael Penix Jr. So far this season, he has thrown for over 429.5 yards per game with a TD to INT ratio of 8:1. This will be a compelling narrative and a definite feel-good story if Sparty can pull it out. But I expect Washington to cover on their final non-conference game of the year.
#11 Tennessee (-6.5) vs. Florida
Tennessee has a rare opportunity: to win in Gainesville, Fla., something they haven’t done in two decades. Since 2005, they’ve managed only two victories against Florida. Tennessee QB Joe Milton has impressive stats thus far: 67% completion rate, 429 yards, four touchdowns and three rushing TDs. However, the deep ball has been missing, and speedy receivers remain underutilized. But luckily, Tennessee’s rushing game is No. 4 in the country, averaging 257.5 yards per game. Defensively, the Vols lead the nation in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks per game (5.5), with 11 total sacks.
Meanwhile, Florida QB Graham Mertz, who transferred from Wisconsin, completes 77% of his passes. Mertz stood out as one of the few bright spots in the Gators’ season-opening defeat to Utah two weeks ago. Mertz showcased his skills in their subsequent 49-7 victory over McNeese State by completing 14 of 17 passes for 191 yards and one TD through the air, and a rushing TD. On the rushing front, the Gators feature a true Running Back By Committee (RBBC), who has collectively accumulated 308 yards on the ground and scored five TDs.
2003 was the last time Tennessee won in Gainesville, but they aim to change that this weekend. Head coach Josh Heupel has reinvigorated Tennessee with a 20-8 overall record since taking over. Florida’s Head Coach Billy Napier could be on the hot seat at 7-8, making this game crucial for both coaches.
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