College Football Week 1

BY: Sean McQuilkin

College football’s week one is underway this weekend, despite games already being played last week (which was week zero). There are certainly some games to watch this weekend, with top 25 teams playing each other and familiar faces revisiting old rivalries.

Tulsa @ No. 10 Oklahoma St. – Oklahoma St. opens at home on Thursday night with big expectations this season, with Mason Rudolph (Sr., QB) and James Washington (Sr., WR) returning to Stillwater. Oklahoma St. finished 10-3 last year, finishing with a bowl win over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Their opponent on Thursday will be Tulsa, who despite being in a lower conference and having no preseason ranking, is no cupcake to open the season. Tulsa also finished 10-3 last season, with 55-10 win over Central Michigan in the Miami Beach Bowl. Despite Oklahoma St. being a 18 point favorite, this game will likely be much closer.

FINAL

	1	2	3	4	T
Tulsa 0-1	0	17	0	7	24
10 Oklahoma State 1-0	21	17	14	7	59

No. 2 Ohio State @ Indiana – Ohio St. opens it 2017 season after it’s embarrassing showing in the Fiesta Bowl in the playoff semifinal against Clemson, Ohio St. will try to rebound. Ohio St. returns Quarterback J.T. Barrett (Sr.), and has a new offensive coordinator, who happens to be Indiana’s most recent head coach. This game may show Ohio State being overrated, as they are young and had a lot of turnover, and Indiana is ready to break out after finishing 6-6 for the last two seasons. Indiana will be hungry despite being a 21 point underdog.

FINAL

	1	2	3	4	T
2 Ohio State 1-0	3	10	22	14	49
Indiana 0-1	7	7	7	0	21

No. 3 Florida @ No. 1 Alabama – A game with historical implications, being the first to have the top ranked school open against a top three school. Alabama returns notables such as Quarterback Jalen Hurts (So.) and Running back Bo Scarbrough (Jr.). Local Pittsburg High alumni Najee Harris is expected to see playing time this season as a true freshman. Florida St. returns Quarterback Deondre Francois (So.), Defensive end Josh Sweat (Jr.) and Running back Tarvarus McFadden (Jr.). Alabama has been ranked number one for at least one week in the past 10 seasons, while this is Florida State’s second consecutive season with a preseason ranking in the top 5. Alabama is a touchdown favorite in this game, and the game will most likely be this close.

FINAL