Well, that one didn't disappoint. Save for the annoying weather delays that postponed/canceled/delayed contests in Morgantown, W.Va.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; South Bend, Ind.; Ypsilanti, Mich.; and other locales in between, it was a fine kickoff to the 2011 college football season.
Baylor gave notice that it was ready for a big season, Boise State again proved it is a program to be taken seriously and last year's BCS combatants made it clear that last year was just that -- last year.
And Fantasy owners were left with plenty of answers as well as questions to ponder heading into Week Two.
What is going on in South Bend?: Brian Kelly has always taken a rather direct approach with his quarterbacks, like a surly Steve Spurrier. But his sideline outbursts on Saturday looked like those of a coach who may be unable to provide a quick fix in Year Two. There haven't been too many positive headlines coming out of Notre Dame in about a year. And as the Irish prepare to head into an evening tilt against a rejuvenated Michigan program, there's every reason to believe that this is the pivotal moment in the Kelly regime. A loss, particularly an ugly one, may really get the notoriously impatient Irish faithful ready to put feelers out to a current ESPN analyst currently taking a break from the rigors of coaching.
Can Robert Griffin keep this up?: This talented, multi-dimensional signal caller has been Baylor football since he spurned more prestigious programs and signed on with the Bears. And Fantasy owners have known all about this incredible talent. However, on Friday, with much of the nation tuning in, the casual college football fan saw this junior drop bombs on TCU like he was Jim Plunkett. An off week will curb Heisman talk, but after he finishes the month of September with Stephen F. Austin and Rice there may not be a more impressive statistical start from a quarterback. And you know what? The Big 12 slate isn't exactly that treacherous.
A few random musings from the week that was in College Fantasy Football:
• One of the more disappointing opening-week performances must be the Missouri Tigers. The offense's inability to move the ball (especially with its tailbacks) was eye-opening. Granted, Miami of Ohio is among the better MAC programs, but it's looking like Mizzou could get absolutely annihilated Friday night at Arizona State.
• Yeah, Virginia Tech running back David Wilson looks just fine.
• That sound you hear is thousands of owners racing to their computer to place waiver wire claims for Oregon State freshman Malcolm Agnew. Let's see ... undersized tailback in Corvallis making a huge impact as a freshman. I think we've seen this script before.
• Speaking of freshmen, Kevin Parks looks like he'll be churning out the yards in Charlottesville, Va., for a while. And Connecticut’s Lyle McCombs didn't look too shabby, either.
• Self-fluffing alert! My player preview on Texas Tech's Darrin Moore: Moore is another of my Big 12 sleeper specials. He's impressed many during Red Raider spring practice sessions, and he could be the guy designated to run downfield when Seth Doege wants to sling it deep. This may be a guy that you actually spend a late-round pick on in almost any format. Low-risk, high-reward.
• More pleasing than the 83 yards and two scores for California’s Isi Sofele were his 24 carries. However continued fumble problems could see his role diminish considerably.
• Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish and the Husky offense will not be traveling to Kansas with a moral victory in mind. Be very afraid Kansas coach Turner Gill.
• Yeah, walk-on Oklahoma running back Dominique Whaley wasn't on my radar either.
• Nick Foles, Texas gunslinger, went all Dan Fouts on Northern Arizona. His pending showdown with Brandon Weeden and Oklahoma State will offer some good football.
• I'm telling ya’ ... provided the Buckeyes don't beat up the Rockets too badly on Saturday, Toledo is going to have a shot to hang around with Boise State in two weeks.
• Disappointing to see Iowa freshman bruising back Mika'il McCall lost for the season. He was looking better than advertised, and he'll certainly be one to watch when he returns in 2012.
• After Ray Graham lugged it 29 times for 201 yards and three scores it may be safe to assume that new Pittsburgh coach Todd Graham is willing to adapt his style to fit his team's strengths. This is definitely not Tulsa.
• Great to see Purdue's Ralph Bolden lug it 17 times for 119 yards in the opener.