College Football Playoff Outlook: Week 2

Story posted September 5, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports by Camden Tofil

CFP Outlook: Week 2

1. Clemson Tigers

The No. 2 ranked Clemson Tigers opened their season at home versus Furman and took care of business as they were expected to do. The main headline from this game was Dabo Swinney’s use of both Kelly Bryant and freshman Trevor Lawrence. While Bryant is listed as the starter, Lawrence played in the first half and put up better numbers. Lawrence threw for 137 yards and three touchdowns, while Bryant threw for 132 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing). The Defense was as dominant as ever holding Furman to 163 total yards and forcing two turnovers.

Clemson faces a much tougher test this week with a trip to College Station with Texas A&M. This game has a lot of hype around it with College Gameday being there and this being Coach Jimbo Fisher’s first big game as the coach of the Aggies. This will be a big test for the Tigers and a chance to add a big win in week two.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Now that college football’s worst kept secret is out, the Alabama Crimson Tide is ready to roll with sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. Tagovailoa backed up all the hype surrounding him coming into week one with 227 yards and three touchdowns. While junior quarterback Jalen Hurts played some, it was clear that Tagovailoa is the guy to lead the Crimson Tide in 2018.

The Crimson Tide made quick work of Louisville in a game that was 34-0 quick into the third quarter. Coach Nick Saban’s defense was as dominant again in the opener holding the Cardinals to just 268 yards and couldn’t get anything going on offense. The Tide had three sacks and 11 tackles for loss in the win.

Alabama now gets it first of two cupcakes this season, in typical SEC fashion, with Arkansas State making the trip to Tuscaloosa. The Tide begin SEC play in two weeks with a matchup with Ole Miss.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

The National Champion runner-up’s from last season opened up 2018 with a 45-0 blowout of Austin Peay in Athens. Like Clemson, the Bulldogs used a two-quarterback system with their starter, sophomore Jake Fromm, and flashy new freshman Justin Fields. Both quarterbacks played well as Fromm threw for 157 and two touchdowns and Fields threw for 63 yards and one touchdown in limited attempts.

Coach Kirby Smart’s defense overwhelmed Austin Peay’s offense as they were held to 152 total yards and only seven yards. Junior safety J.R. Reed led the Bulldogs with six tackles.

The Bulldogs now face a much tougher test this week as they make a trip to Columbia to face No. 24 South Carolina. The Gamecocks will surely give the Bulldogs a much better game than Austin Peay and Georgia should be on upset alert in week two.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

Interim coach Ryan Day led the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes to a commanding opening win over Oregon State this past Saturday in Columbus. New starting quarterback, sophomore Dwayne Haskins, impressed as he threw for five touchdowns and led the offense to scores on five of his six drives. Junior running back Mike Weber was dominant as he ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

A big surprise from this game was the defense for the Buckeyes. The Beavers were able to put up 31 points and 392 total yards against Ohio State despite the game not being close. Ohio State’s defense led by junior Nick Bosa will look to sure up that unit with matchups with No. 16 TCU and No. 13 Penn State looming in the next four weeks.

First, Coach Day and the Buckeyes must worry about a matchup with Rutgers in Columbus this week to open Big Ten play. Ohio State should roll this week as long as they don’t look ahead to the matchup with TCU next week.

5. Oklahoma Sooners
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

 

 

Camden Tofil is a sophomore majoring in advertising. To contact him, email camdentofil@gmail.com.http://camdentofil@gmail.com