College football is back! And this year, I and the sports department at The Roar have something special planned.
Each week, I’ll be taking you through “This Week in College Football.” I’ll bring you the highlights, the lowlights, the big news, and everything you need to know (and didn’t know you needed) about each week’s games.
This year, I’ll be starting with Week Zero. These are the handful of games that serve as an August appetizer for the rest of the season. It’s college football’s hors d’oeuvre!
So without further ado, The Roar brings you the first edition of “This Week in College Football”
Biggest Storyline: Nebraska.
The Huskers are in trouble.
There was hope, as there is every season, that this year could be the big change. The new era. The ever-present hope of a fanbase that tries so hard not to dream too big but just cannot resist the fantasy of Nebraska football striking fear into the hearts of opponents as it once did. That hope that this year could have been head coach Scott Frost’s triumphant victory that would lead Nebraska football back into the promised land.
Then, Nebraska lost to Illinois. A turnaround is possible, yes, and their season is not over yet. But the more time passes the more it seems as though the Huskers are down for the count.
Biggest Winner: Illinois.
The Fighting Illini just won their Big 10 opener while being led by brand-new head coach Bret Bielema and backup quarterback Artur Sitkowski. This is some welcome relief for fans who’ve spent years being stuck in the pit of misery that’s the bottom of the Big 10 standings. I wouldn’t expect Illinois to shock the world and make the Rose Bowl, but things have been and could be a lot worse. This win is something to be savored. Enjoy it, Illini. You’ve earned it.
Biggest Loser: Scott Frost
Scott Frost has got to be the most uncomfortable man in Lincoln, Nebraska. His seat just got even hotter, and the Husker faithful are not happy. Frost was supposed to be the chosen one, to bring glory to the program, not leave it in darkness. Instead he’s 12-21 as he begins his fourth season in Lincoln. It’s funny just how badly the obvious coaching hire can go sometimes.
Non-Power Game of the Week: UTEP 30, New Mexico State 3.
This choice might surprise some people given the impressive wins from San Jose State and Fresno State, but hear me out.
First off, this is a rivalry win. It’s hard to argue with that. But secondly, UTEP has gone just 5-39 over the last four seasons. They’ve been one of the worst teams in the country. Meanwhile, New Mexico State has gone 15-34 over their last four full seasons. They’ve been almost just as bad as UTEP has.
For UTEP to not just win, but to dominate the Battle of I-10 while both teams have been struggling is huge. The Miners are finally righting the ship. The Aggies are not.
Stat Of The Week: Illinois now has consecutive wins over Nebraska for the first time since 1923-1924
Roaring ’20s indeed. There’s not any real analysis needed to show just how soul-crushing this stat is. For both teams. At least there’s a bright side for the Illini.
Sorry, Huskers.
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