NCAAF

Michigan 30, East Carolina

Michigan entered this season with loads of praise and hype, and for the most part, the Wolverines backed it up yesterday. J.J. McCarthy was a bit up and down in 2022, but he was nearly perfect in this game, going 26-30 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Michigan probably won’t be tested until a pair of Big Ten West road games at Nebraska and Minnesota, but the Wolverines looked as expected in this contest.

Michigan has a stout defense, but East Carolina was probably wishing Holton Ahlers was still under center for this game. The Pirates’ quarterbacks combined to go 17-29 for 132 yards and an interception yesterday.

Tennessee 49, Virginia 13

By the nature of college football with player movement and graduation, Tennessee was bound to look different this season compared to last year. The goal, though, for the Volunteers is to be just as potent as the 11-2 team that finished No. 6 in the AP Poll in 2022. So far, so good. Tennessee’s defense, in particular, stood out yesterday, allowing just over 200 yards to Virginia. The Volunteers will go as far as Joe Milton’s arm takes them.

Virginia is on track to be one of the Power Five’s worst teams this season, and for that, Tony Elliott’s seat should be hot. The Cavaliers will probably lose to James Madison next Saturday.

Colorado 45, TCU 42

Colorado was a massive unknown entering this season due to its unprecedented level of roster overhaul, but after one game, it’s clear that Deion Sanders has the Buffaloes on the right track. The biggest reason why is Sanders’ son and quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloes’ signal-caller played mistake-free football all afternoon, while also throwing for 510 yards and four touchdowns. Colorado is a fun team with a high level of watchability, but is done no favors by its schedule, as the Buffaloes will face Oregon and USC in back-to-back weeks later this month.

TCU played in the National Championship in January, but many key pieces from that team are long gone. If this game was any indication, Chandler Morris isn’t a suitable replacement for Heisman runner-up Max Duggan. In this contest, Morris was 24-42 for 279 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. 8-4 feels like a good bet for the Horned Frogs in 2023.