NCAAF

Notre Dame 42, Navy 3

Only time will tell if this Notre Dame team has the edge over recent Fighting Irish squads that have consistently failed to win big games, but this performance was all you could ask for. Wake Forest import Sam Hartman has a chance to give Notre Dame its best quarterback play since the Jimmy Clausen days, and he’s probably the biggest reason why the 2023 Fighting Irish have a chance to be different than past iterations of teams from South Bend. In this game, Hartman went 19-23 with 251 yards and four touchdowns, and was supported by an aggressive, downhill running game led by Audric Estime. Notre Dame is almost certainly looking forward to facing off against Ohio State in Week 4, but it shouldn’t look past a trip to Raleigh to play NC State on September 9th.

Navy may end up regretting firing Ken Niumatalolo. The Midshipmen looked lost in this contest, as the only thing Navy did at a respectable level was run the ball, but even that wasn’t much of a success (2.7 yards per carry).

Jacksonville State 17, UTEP 14

James Madison had tons of success last season in its first year as an FBS program, and while Jacksonville State isn’t nearly on the same level as a program, I felt the Gamecocks could surprise people in a similar manner in their inaugural season in the FBS. Yesterday was a solid start, as Jacksonville State pulled off a slight upset.

Massachusetts 41, New Mexico State 30

Massachusetts won just once in 2022 — a victory over FCS member Stony Brook, so prevailing yesterday had to feel good for Don Brown’s program.

San Diego State 20, Ohio 13

I was really looking forward to this game. San Diego State possesses a stingy defense, so it was no surprise that the Aztecs limited Ohio to just 13 points. That stop unit will be needed in Week 2 when UCLA comes to town. Call me crazy, but I think San Diego State has a decent chance in that contest.