College football has to do away with big games week 1

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GopherMenace

GopherMenace

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Might be a hot take, but after suffering through Texas OSU and seeing the suffering offenses of LSU Clemson, I feel like teams just aren’t prepared enough for these games to be entertaining or at least live up to the hype. I think they’re fun in concept, but need to be scheduled for week two at the earliest.
 

I agree. Most of these huge Week 1 matchups end up being a disappointment. Wait a week or two.

Go Gophers!!
 

When I read the title I was about to spew profanity into a response. The more I think about it though the more I think you’re right.

The networks obviously run this show and they’ll continue to capitalize on the anticipation of fans and keep doing this. The only counter point that I could think to offer is that teams get a pass in week 1. If they meet in week 3 and it’s a defensive slog like they were this week then I think it’s even more disappointing.
 


I agree those two high profile games didn't live up to the hype, but there have been plenty of marquee match ups in the opening weekend over the years that have been plenty entertaining.

In 2013, the season opened with a great game between No. 8 Clemson led by Tajh Boyd and No. 5 Georgia led by Aaron Murray. Tigers won 38-35. Next year, 2014 had a good one with No. 13 LSU edging No. 14 Wisconsin, 28-24.

Two years later, 2016 had a good one with No. 15 Houston upsetting No. 3 Oklahoma, 33-23. That same 2016 weekend, Texas beat No. 10 Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtime and No. 4 Florida State beat No. 11 Ole Miss in a high scoring game, 45-34.

In 2017, No. 21 Virginia Tech defeated No. 22 West Virginia 31-24 in a solid game. In 2018 there were a pair of entertaining games, No. 9 Auburn beat No. 6 Washington 21-16 and No. 12 Notre Dame took down No. 14 Michigan, 24-17. Then in 2019 there was No. 16 Auburn defeating No. 11 Oregon, 27-21.

In 2022 there was a good one with No. 7 Utah falling 29-26 to an unranked Florida team. Plus last year with the close game between No. 23 USC and No. 13 LSU, with the Trojans winning 27-20.

Plus, both LSU Vs. Clemson and Texas Vs. Ohio State were at least close games. There have been plenty of weekend opening blowouts, too. In 2016 No. 20 USC lost 52-6 to No. 1 Alabama. Speaking of, Alabama Vs. Florida State turned out to be a pretty fun game to watch all things considered.

I'm for at least keeping a few ranked match ups on opening weekend. Scrolling through scores yesterday, if it wasn't the major games of the weekend between P4 teams, there were mostly just blow outs against FCS and G5 programs.
 


IceBoxGopher said:
I agree those two high profile games didn't live up to the hype, but there have been plenty of marquee match ups in the opening weekend over the years that have been plenty entertaining.

In 2013, the season opened with a great game between No. 8 Clemson led by Tajh Boyd and No. 5 Georgia led by Aaron Murray. Tigers won 38-35. Next year, 2014 had a good one with No. 13 LSU edging No. 14 Wisconsin, 28-24.

Two years later, 2016 had a good one with No. 15 Houston upsetting No. 3 Oklahoma, 33-23. That same 2016 weekend, Texas beat No. 10 Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtime and No. 4 Florida State beat No. 11 Ole Miss in a high scoring game, 45-34.

In 2017, No. 21 Virginia Tech defeated No. 22 West Virginia 31-24 in a solid game. In 2018 there were a pair of entertaining games, No. 9 Auburn beat No. 6 Washington 21-16 and No. 12 Notre Dame took down No. 14 Michigan, 24-17. Then in 2019 there was No. 16 Auburn defeating No. 11 Oregon, 27-21.

In 2022 there was a good one with No. 7 Utah falling 29-26 to an unranked Florida team. Plus last year with the close game between No. 23 USC and No. 13 LSU, with the Trojans winning 27-20.

Plus, both LSU Vs. Clemson and Texas Vs. Ohio State were at least close games. There have been plenty of weekend opening blowouts, too. In 2016 No. 20 USC lost 52-6 to No. 1 Alabama. Speaking of, Alabama Vs. Florida State turned out to be a pretty fun game to watch all things considered.

I'm for at least keeping a few ranked match ups on opening weekend. Scrolling through scores yesterday, if it wasn't the major games of the weekend between P4 teams, there were mostly just blow outs against FCS and G5 programs.
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Fair points, there have been some bangers week one. Personally I’d rather give teams a week or two to prepare so that the games have a better chance to live up to the hype. Even if that means a boring week one. But I understand I might be in the minority for that.
 
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GopherMenace said:
Might be a hot take, but after suffering through Texas OSU and seeing the suffering offenses of LSU Clemson, I feel like teams just aren’t prepared enough for these games to be entertaining or at least live up to the hype. I think they’re fun in concept, but need to be scheduled for week two at the earliest.
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I think before the NIL era, that would have been a hot take. But this take is spot on. There aren't enough scrimmage reps in the world to prepare you for a top 3 show down with so many new faces.
 


It is great for the networks and it gives fans something to get excited about but I absolutely hate the marquee matchups in week 1, especially when they are conference games as well.

College football doesn't have a pre-season, teams need some time to work out the kinks and figure things out. I am all for teams playing a good team during their non-conf schedule but that game shouldn't happen until week 2 at the earliest and even better if it is week 3 after a couple of tune up games.

I hate when the Gophers have a conference opponent in week 1, conference games should not happen until at least week 4.
 




MNVCGUY said:
It is great for the networks and it gives fans something to get excited about but I absolutely hate the marquee matchups in week 1, especially when they are conference games as well.

College football doesn't have a pre-season, teams need some time to work out the kinks and figure things out. I am all for teams playing a good team during their non-conf schedule but that game shouldn't happen until week 2 at the earliest and even better if it is week 3 after a couple of tune up games.

I hate when the Gophers have a conference opponent in week 1, conference games should not happen until at least week 4.
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If they wait until week 3, Then there is no rest before the grind of the conference portion of play. I think most teams would rather have a tune up game before the start of conference play.
They also can get plenty of practice reps prior to game 1. Maybe they should allow a scrimmage before the week 1 games, similar to what high schools do.
 


MNVCGUY said:
It is great for the networks and it gives fans something to get excited about but I absolutely hate the marquee matchups in week 1, especially when they are conference games as well.

College football doesn't have a pre-season, teams need some time to work out the kinks and figure things out. I am all for teams playing a good team during their non-conf schedule but that game shouldn't happen until week 2 at the earliest and even better if it is week 3 after a couple of tune up games.

I hate when the Gophers have a conference opponent in week 1, conference games should not happen until at least week 4.
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That's gonna be tough in the 24 team Big Ten on the horizon.
 



It got me to watch.

Mission accomplished, this is a business
 

Week "0" aside, this is the only week that NCAA has without any attention being drawn to NFL games. That's why there's big matchups this week.
 

GFBfan said:
If they wait until week 3, Then there is no rest before the grind of the conference portion of play. I think most teams would rather have a tune up game before the start of conference play.
They also can get plenty of practice reps prior to game 1. Maybe they should allow a scrimmage before the week 1 games, similar to what high schools do.
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Nearly every coach will tell you that the biggest growth for any team happens from week 1 to week 2. You can practice and scrimmage all you want, nothing simulates the actual intensity of the real thing no matter what you try.

College teams need at least one tuneup game to start the year in my opinion. I'm good with not wasting time with exhibition games but expecting teams to play a conference game in week one is unfair to both teams. As for the high profile non-conf games, in the end the teams are the ones that schedule those so if they choose to play week 1 so be it. But I know I hate to see it for the Gophers.

Look at last year, flip the first 2 games and we probably beat North Carolina.
 


There’s supposed to be big games every week. You don’t get better games just because both teams played more.
 

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