Georgia Running Backs, Rivals Return, and What to Watch For in Week 1

By Alec Nederveld

If Week 0 was the appetizer , then Week 1 is the main course with games on Sunday and Monday for dessert. The slate is loaded with almost everybody ( sorry Ball State ) playing and there are entertaining games for five days straight. And with that comes more storylines to discuss

No more Running Backs in ATL

Consistently in the debate for RBU, many legendary running backs, including Hershel Walker, Todd Gurley, and Nick Chubb, have all played for Georgia. But no Bulldog backs are nearly as good as those three and in Week 1 against Clemson, there's nothing more than a question mark next to the position.

In recent years, Georgia has gone for a Running Back by committee approach to great success. Seven players had over 100 yards rushing a year ago, headlined by Daijun Edwards (881 carries 13 touchdowns) and Kendall Milton (790 yards 14 touchdowns). But they're both gone now, alongside sophomore Roderick Robinson II who recently underwent surgery on his toe and will miss week 1. Additionally, Andrew Paul transferred out and RB coach Dell McGee left for the Georgia State head coaching position.

The ex-factor to the position will be Trevor Etienne , but his status is known for the season opener. He was arrested for a DUI, a charge that was later dropped, and Kirby Smart isn't commenting on Etienne's availability . Behind the highly-touted Florida Transfer , Georgia has Branson Robinson , a sophomore who was injured in 2023 but ran for 330 yards in 2022, Cash Jones a former walk-on who ran for 161 yards last year, and true freshman Nate Fraizer , although WR Dillon Bell may get touches on the ground.

The returns of Miami and Penn State to rivals past

Miami and Florida used to be a staple of football in the Sunshine State. Except for 1943, when both schools didn't field a team, the Canes and Gators played yearly from 1936-1987. Since then, only seven games have been played, the last time in Gainesville being back in 2008. Despite that, the two schools are still bitter rivals, battling many times on the recruiting trail with a shared hatred for Florida State and a common goal of fighting for the top spot in the state.

The 2024 installment looks to add more fuel to the fire of the hot seat , the top spot in the state (which looks to be obtainable after Florida State looked poor against Georgia Tech), and the allegations of big game collapses. Both Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal are seen as better recruiters than coaches,  and a win in this game will only shut up the critics.

The story of Penn State and West Virginia is similar, although with less recent matchups and a more lopsided result. Of the 60 games played, Penn State has a commanding 49-9-2 series lead. The rivalry was played early from 1947 to 1992 but the early 1990s saw Penn State join the Big Ten, West Virginia join the Big East, and the end of the rivalry until last season. The programs also hate Pitt with a passion.

It's great for College Football as a sport to see Penn State and West Virginia play again, and the matchup should be closer than the comfortable 38-15 win in Happy Valley last year. Both rosters are relatively intact, including a potential first-round pick battle between Mountaineer T Wyatt Milum and Nittany Lion EDGE Abdul Carter . Morgantown, although held back by a Fox Big Noon Kickoff will still be absolutely rocking.

Who's on Upset Watch?

North Dakota State vs Colorado

Colorado -9.5

On paper, Colorado has by far the more talented roster coming off another roster rebuild with the transfer portal. Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are projected first-round picks. While North Dakota State is playing their first game under Tim Polasek , the Bison will still be the more disciplined and better-coached team. It's a very interesting contrast of styles.

South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State

South Dakota State -9.5

FCS over FBS upsets are rare. FCS over-ranked FBS teams are improbable. It's only happened six times ever. But two of the victories were by Appalachian State in 2007 and North Dakota State in 2016, the back-to-back FCS champions, which South Dakota State is. The Jackrabbits, like North Dakota State will be well-coached, disciplined, and give Ollie Gordon and Oklahoma State all they can handle.

Northwestern vs Miami (OH)

Northwestern -3

The betting line doesn't equate to an upset, but a MAC team going to an eight-win Big Ten team a year ago is always a surprise. But Miami (OH) isn't an ordinary MAC team, and Northwestern isn't an ordinary eight-win BIG Ten team. The Redhawks knocked off Cincinnati on the road last year en route to winning 11 games and the MAC. Northwestern meanwhile overachieved despite a lackluster offense and is hosting this game at a glorified practice field.

Wyoming vs Arizona State

Arizona State -7

Wyoming defeated Texas Tech a year ago, and Arizona State lost was shut-out 29-0 against Fresno State, who Wyoming beat 24-19. The Cowboys are set to regress with Craig Bohl's retirement while ASU looks to improve in Year two of Kenny Dillingham . The programs look to be going in opposite directions, but Wyoming may still be on top as a program.

Boston College vs Florida State

Florida State -16.5

This would be an absolute disaster if Florida State lost. But it almost happened a year ago. The Seminoles only lost by two points against Boston College last year despite 18 penalties and 131 yards from the Eagles. They'll also have a week of film on Florida State to watch and new coach Bill O'Brien will get a chance to develop a gameplan similar to Georgia Tech. QB Thomas Castellanos is back after 400 yards and two touchdowns against the Noles a year ago.

LSU and USC - Similar teams in different conferences

I don't know if there are any two teams in two different conferences that are as similar as LSU and USC in the past few years. They both wasted a Heisman-winning quarterback from the last two seasons with a putrid defense. I think if this game was played last year, the score would easily reach triple digits. Additionally, both Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly are in their third year after shockingly leaving Oklahoma and Notre Dame respectively.

This year's matchup will feature two anomalies at the quarterback position. Miller Moss and Garrett Nussmeier are former four-stars in their fourth year and have made one career start - their Bowl win last year with each nearly 400 yards and over five touchdowns. They've survived three seasons as a backup, saw other quarterbacks transfer in and out, and a coaching change when many other quarterbacks would have left. And now it's their time to prosper.

I'm not expecting this game to be a defensive stalemate, but both sides of the ball will be much improved. USC certainly won't miss 135 tackles like last year with former UCLA DC D'Anton Lynn , North Dakota State HC Matt Entz , Houston DC Doug Belk , and LA Rams DL coach Eric Henderson coaching up the defense.

LSU also targeted a conference rival to rebuild the defense. Blake Baker was paid handsomely to come over from Missouri to lead an entirely new defensive staff. He'll have one of the best defensive players in the country to work with in LB Harold Perkins .

It can't get worse for either of these defenses... right?

Former coach and quarterback meet up on opposite sides of Kyle Field

Riley Leonard and Mike Elko spent the last two years rebuilding Duke, bringing respect back to the longtime ACC doormat. But after going 16-9 in two seasons, Elko left to take the A&M job. Three days later, Leonard put his name in the portal. It's somewhat ironic that Notre Dame, the team that injured Leonard and ruined the Blue Devils' undefeated season, is where he now plays, but that's just the way College Football goes sometimes.

For both teams, it's an opportunity to separate themselves from the past and notch a much-needed big win. Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame need to win a big game like this - something Brian Kelly rarely did. For A&M, a win here would rival Texas fans in 2016 where they proclaimed they were back after a 2OT win against the Irish. That year, Notre Dame turned out to be a four-win team, and Texas, in fact, was not back. I doubt the results of 2016 will happen again for either Notre Dame or Texas A&M, but the game has a similar feeling.