CFB Week Two Capsule: My Super Secret Crush.

I feel like this is the appropriate forum to announce this on. I do in fact have a crush. Continue reading, you’ll see, I promise.

Jake McCreven

10 September 2024

Week two is always the hardest week to write about. Its not quite as thrilling as week one — the return of college football and all of its novelty — its not quite week 5 and the start of conference play across the country, and it isn’t quite week 14, when rivalries envelop the nation and conference championship bids are determined. Instead, we force feed ourselves three hours of East Carolina-Old Dominion and many other less than thrilling non-conference matchups. But hey, college football is college football. So, let’s talk about players today, and polls. 

IN THIS ARTICLE:

  • The Heisman Race Forming is Itself Early into September

  • MY SUPER SECRET CRUSH?

  • AP Poll in Comparison to the Magic Ball Sports Poll

  • Runningback Draft Rankings

CFB: My Super Secret Draft Crushes So Far

NO PHOTO AVAIlable

Kevin Coleman Jr. — WR, MSU

Coleman has ran 53 routes (all from the slot) across the Bulldogs’ first two games, catching 9/10 targets for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The Louisville transfer exploded for 122 yards of YAC against EKU, displaying dynamic speed and an ability to slice through traffic in close quarters. Coleman also returns punts for the Bulldogs, which is primarily why I put him on this list. His frame is big enough to where he would hold up at the next level (5-11, 180), and his quick-twitch ability would make him a sure-handed return man at the next level. 

Image via Ohio Athletics 
Tyus versus Syracuse; Ohio Athletics

Anthony Tyus III — RB, OHIO

Tyus, the former Northwestern transfer, has racked up a career total of 781 yards over 152 carries (he has fresh legs). The Bobcat star ran for 203 yards and two scores on a Syracuse defense that stymied a powerful Georgia Tech run game this past Saturday. Tyus is a powerful runner that is hard to bring down when coming downhill. He utilizes his arms while running to dish out ruthless stiff arms, and frequently assumes leverage when in contact. Despite not being the fastest back, Tyus is a burden to bring down, packing a punch at the contact point to the point of 5.67 yards after contact for every attempt.

Image via SMU Athletics 
Harmon celebrating a pick-six; SMU Athletics

Deuce Harmon — CB, SMU

Harmon’s 82.7 PFF coverage grade ranks 25th in the country through two weeks, as the Mustangs corner — targeted five times — has not allowed a reception while breaking up two passes and deflecting two others. Harmon plays excessively on the outside, recording all 45 passing snaps from one boundary or the other. His 5-10, 185-pound frame will probably suit him better on the inside at the next level, but Harmon’s ability to help with run support should not yield any concern. 

Skattebo this season; ASU Athletics

Cameron Skattebo — RB, ASU

The 5-11, 215-pound back formerly of Sacramento State grounded up 262 yards on 33 carries — on Saturday alone. Skattebo has averaged 7.1 YPC over two weeks, weilding explosive burst and smooth transition skills when sitting behind is offensive line. The true-senior has racked up 202 yards after contact while forcing 11 missed tackles and gaining 22 first downs for the Sun Devils thus far. Skattebo’s thick frame is more than ideal for an NFL back, a compliment to his ability to race around the edge. Skattebo is fast enough to run away from opposing defensive lineman but also strong enough to dribble defensive backs. 

Image via Tulsa Athletics 
Francis in game; Tulsa Athletics

Kirk Franics — QB, TULSA

Watching Tulsa’s game against FCS-Northwestern State (I know, what am I doing with my life), I kept taking note of two things with the Hurricane offense; Kirk Francis can manage the offense, and Kirk Francis knows how to place the football. On all four of his touchdown passes against NWST, Francis placed the football beautifully. His showing this past weekend against Arkansas State (199-1-1) was relatively disappointing, but considering he had an average of just over 2 seconds to throw the ball, I’m willing to give Francis a break.

CFB: The Week 2 Heisman Race

Quinn Ewers, Texas:

Image via Texas Athletics 
Ewers in last season’s Sugar Bowl; Texas Athletics

The Frontrunners:

Quinn Ewers, Texas

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

Cameron Ward, Miami

Miller Moss, USC

Watch Out For:

Carson Beck, Georgia

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Iamaleava in his second career start; Tennessee Athletics

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee:

Jeanty vs. SJSU in 2023; Boise State Athletics
No Picture available.

Cameron Ward, Miami:

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State:

Photo via John McGillen/USC Athletics 
Moss in game; Photo via John McGillen/USC Athletics

Miller Moss, USC:

CFB: Magic Ball Poll Rankings for Week 2 of the College Football Season

Notes (1-10):

  • It was hard to move each of the top three teams even after Texas’ 31-12 pummeling of Michigan. Georgia and Ohio State have not looked weak enough to move.

  • Teams 4-7 are all from the SEC. All four teams have point differentials above +75. Alabama is the weakest out of these four.

  • Miami and Utah are breathing down the neck of Oregon. The Hurricanes swiftly handled FCS powerhouse Florida A&M, while Oregon, in both of its first two games, took four quarters to close things out.

Notes (11-25):

  • USC is the third highest jumper this week, up four spots following the program’s first shutout since 2011.

  • Penn State’s sloppy effort against Bowling Green notches them down three spots and outside the top ten.

  • Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Kansas State all looked relatively weak but all won.

  • Louisville closed things out early and boosted their stock.

  • Welcome Iowa State, who leapfrogs seven spots into the rankings following a victory against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium.

  • LSU and Texas A&M are in the nether — who are they?

  • Arizona looked unimpressive, losing to Northern Arizona at half time.

  • Syracuse dethroned upset-potent Georgia Tech with an upset.

  • Welcome Nebraska, welcome Boston College.

  • Goodbye Notre Dame! I’m also ushering Michigan out the door.

CFB: AP Poll Reaction; Assessing the Five Teams Who Fell.

An unusual five teams took a dip in the most recent AP Poll Top 25. Let’s assess why they fell and how long the window is that they have to prove themselves before December.

Notre Dame (Previously No. 5, now No. 18)

The Irish took the hardest fall out of any team this week, sliding 13 spots following a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois… in South Bend. The gripe most people have about this loss is that Marcus Freeman, now in year three with the Irish, has been in this spot before (Marshall 2022). A relapse is most likely what drove the Irish down so significantly in the polls, especially considering there still may have been some Aggie-land hangover in the locker room in South Bend. Northern Illinois picks up the MAC’s first ever win against an AP top-five team, popping the Irish’s tires in the process.

Utah (Previously No. 10, now No. 11)

Utah’s drop (a whopping one spot) has more to do with what the teams behind them did right rather than what the Utes did wrong. Utah took care of Baylor, 23-12, despite quarterback Cameron Rising leaving the game in the second quarter with a hand injury. While Rising’s injury does raise concerns for Utes fans, falling in the polls should not. Utah is still in the thick of Big-XII championship talks and sports one of the gnarliest defenses in the country.

Michigan (Previously No. 10, now No. 17)

A handful of streaks were shattered when the Wolverines were drubbed by the now No. 2 ranked Texas Longhorns, 31-12 on Saturday. The nation’s longest winning streak, home winning streak, and September winning streak were all snapped, as Michigan plummets seven spots and now looks in from the outside of the Playoff conversation. The offense must find its identity, and fast. Running that unit out against the likes of Oregon and Ohio State will land the Wolverines at 9-3.

Ohio State (Previously No. 2, now No. 3)

The Buckeyes find themselves in the same boat as Utah. Ohio State defeated its opponent 56-0, totaled 630 yards and 30 first downs, and still dropped a spot in the polls. This is purely due to Texas’ win in Ann Arbor, which saw the Longhorns jump the Buckeyes at No. 2.

Oregon (Previously No. 7, now No. 9)

What is this team? Are the Ducks waking up slowly? Are the Ducks putting on an act for their later-season foes to seem less threatening? Whatever it is, the poll-sters don’t like it. The Ducks dropped two (more) spots following a last second win against Boise State (in Autzen Stadium) late Saturday night. At least when Idaho wrecked the opener in Eugene, Ducks fans could still rest on the rock-solid defense to win games. After surrendering 34 to the Broncos, more questions were left than answers.

Draft Rankings: Runningbacks

NOTES:

  • Following Jeanty’s historic start to the season, the Boise State back polevaults ahead of Ohio State’s Henderson for the top spot.

  • The top six are bottle-necked, then there’s a clear tier gap.

  • I have become increasingly high on Arkansas’ Ja’Quinden Jackson — very sizy back with frame and demeanor to succeed at next level.

  • Damien Martinez is not that fast.

  • Donovan Edwards is not on this list.

  • Watch out for Cameron Skattebo.