CFB Week 0: King Slings Tech To Victory As FSU Falter In Dublin

By Simon Carroll

Week 0, as a concept, is a great idea. Shorten the offseason by another seven days. Have college football return spectacularly with a marquee game overseas. And yet, it usually fails to deliver what we expect from the sport on a weekly basis. With only four games or so each year, it’s almost impossible for it to live up to every other week of the season.

Or so it seemed. In a ‘hold my beer’ moment, 2024 decided to set the tone for what should be the most exciting year of college football in some time.

Aviva Stadium Witnesses A Shock

The 11.5 point spread Vegas was giving to the Seminoles always seemed a little generous. And so it proved, as Georgia Tech kicked off 2024 in style, defeating the #10 ranked Florida State 24-21 in the College Football Classic in Ireland. A grand spectacle every year, the addition of College GameDay to Dublin threatened to overshadow the contest itself; Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and the rest of the crew holding court in the Irish sunshine, the former punter evidently a little green around the gills after enjoying a little too much of the craic the night before. The city was overrun with Florida State fans the whole weekend, with garnet and gold invading every corner of Temple Bar – it was easy to forget this was technically a Georgia Tech home game.

When the game did finally get underway, it was immediately evident that the Yellow Jackets weren’t here to make up the numbers. Head Coach Brent Key has something cooking in Atlanta, and their game plan to control the clock and reduce possessions was effective and well executed. Transfer QB Haynes King, in his second year with the program after coming over from Texas A&M, used both his arms and legs to punish an FSU defense that was lauded as one of the best in the nation this offseason. Almost 200 yards on the ground told a different tale, as the Tech offense overcame two fumbles to keep up with the ‘Noles, take a 4th quarter lead, and ultimately boot the winning field goal as the clock expired.

In the press conference after the game, Key cut an impressive figure, talking about how ‘playing your hardest on every play was slowly being ingrained in this team’s culture’. A former Tech o-lineman, Key is unapologetic for the physical, gruelling style of play this program has adopted under his tenure; The Yellow Jackets have some tests remaining on their schedule, but there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t push on from this victory and improve on their 7-6 record from last year.

Questions In Tallahassee

Considering their 13-0 unbeaten regular season last year, hopes were high for another strong campaign for Florida State in 2024. Mike Norvell, in his short time in Tallahassee, has raised standards back to those expected from ‘Noles Nation, and with an expanded playoff this time round, not even some CFP committee skullduggery would keep them out. Surely?

Well, you have to take care of business first. And this was not a polished performance from Florida State, who have lost 14 starters from last year and replaced most of them via the transfer portal. Despite the superior talent level to their opponents, FSU looked less prepared than Georgia Tech for this one – no consistency on drives, little chemistry between the skill players, and a lack of an alternative when GT shut down their run game after the first drive.

New starting QB DJ Uiagalelei, in his first game back in the ACC since slinking out of Clemson, once again failed to live up to his 5-star billing. Timid going downfield, uncomfortable in the pocket, and a reluctant runner of the ball despite his size, his performance was probably saved by a 4th quarter drive where he somewhat put the team on his back. Two clutch 4th down completions improved his stats, but don’t be fooled – there’s still significant questions about whether ‘DJU’ is good enough to play at this level. And it was telling that he didn’t come out of the locker room after the game to speak to the media.

Mike Norvell cut a frustrated figure in the presser, obviously dissatisfied with his inability to dictate the game and the consequences it delivered. He attributed the loss to ‘small moments’, but the truth is that Tech were worthy winners in Dublin. Considering a tough schedule that includes Clemson, Memphis, and Notre Dame, this could prove a costly defeat – a big bounceback against Boston College next Monday is imperative.

Stone Steps Up To Help Mustangs Avoid Embarrassing Loss

Despite the modest schedule, there was more to life in Week 0 than just the shenanigans of the Emerald Isle. SMU, one of the newest members of the ACC and a potential dark horse to cause some noise in their new conference, were very lucky to escape Reno with a victory as the Mustangs beat Nevada 29-24. The Ponies entered this contest as four-score favourites, but penalties and mistakes put them in a serious hole that had them at an 11-point deficit with ten minutes remaining.

Head coach Rhett Lashlee’s decision to alternate his two QB’s early – Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings – seemed to backfire in that Stone seemed nervous. The presumed starter and a name tipped for draft scouts to keep an eye on was sloppy on his first two drives, and it was credit to his coach for sticking with him to see SMU turn this one around. Stone showcased his credentials on the impressive comeback, and the Mustang’s defense certainly stiffened to help swing the tide – including a safety to get the ball back for the game-winning drive.

Nevada, expected to be one of the programs propping up the Mountain West this year, were well-drilled and played at a higher level than expected. QB Brendon Lewis excelled both through the air and on the ground, accounting for 205 total yards and two scores. Head Coach Jeff Choate, overseeing his first game at the FBS level, was proud of his team’s efforts, whilst acknowledging the ‘competitive maturity’ fell just short.

Mountain West Mayhem

Nevada weren’t the only Mountain West team in action this weekend. New Mexico took on Choate’s old team, Montana State, in a game that encapsulates everything that is great about college football. The Lobos, a bottom feeder at their level but still expected to beat their FCS opponents, began 2024 with a bang, slaying the Bobcat’s defense over and over again with dual threat QB Devon Dampier very active. A touchdown apiece through the air and on the ground was supplemented by two scoop and scores from the New Mexico defense – and left Montana State in a 17 point hole heading into the 4th quarter.

From there, everything that could go wrong for the Lobos, did. Two long drives both ended on missed short field goals, and those six points proved crucial as their opponents hit three touchdowns on the bounce, the second a NINETY-THREE yard run from Adam Jones, and the last punched in by Scottre Humphre with just ten seconds left on the clock to seal the upset. God DAYUM I love college football.

In the final game of the week, Hawaii oversaw a routine win against FCS Delaware State, whose opening game of the year got off to a very poor start when the team missed their first flight to the islands. Whether arriving late or not had an effect I couldn’t tell you, but the Rainbow Warriors made light work of the contest, winning 35-14. The Hornets had it tied up early in the second half, but ran out of steam as QB Braydenn Schager went into overdrive and really took Timmy Chang’s air raid offense into overdrive. Hawaii is a team to keep an eye on in 2024 – they can beat bigger programs on their day – and watch out for slot receiver Pofele Ashlock, who had 81 yards from 5 catches on Saturday. That kid can flat out fly.

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

LEAD WRITER, HEAD OF CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST.

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