Are you a college football fan? If so, you know the weekly challenge: refrain from making bold statements after just one game. The conversation gets trickier when the quarterback position is involved. It’s the most critical role in a game and can set the course for a program. Across the nation, there are several situations where fan bases are divided between overreaction and underreaction.
The spotlight last weekend was on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ abdominal strain and Arch Manning’s impressive performance as his replacement, tossing five touchdowns in a 56-7 victory over UTSA. Naturally, when a backup shines in the absence of a starter due to injury, questions arise about potential changes. But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.
Ewers may miss the upcoming game, but his injury seems minor, which is a relief for Texas. There’s been no internal quarterback controversy, and with three weeks before the Oklahoma matchup, Manning appears to be steering the ship until Ewers returns. If Manning continues to excel, it bodes well for Texas, offering fans a glimpse into the future while anticipating Ewers’ return.
Rival Texas A&M faces a different scenario. Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed shared SEC Freshman of the Week honors with Aggies’ quarterback Marcel Reed, who stepped in for the injured starter Conner Weigman and impressively registered three touchdowns against Florida. Weigman, talented but injury-prone, has had a mixed start to the season. Reed’s dual-threat capabilities could elevate the offense’s performance and are worth monitoring in the upcoming matchups.
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Weigman, like Ewers, is listed as week to week, and while he has more experience than Reed, Weigman is not as established as Ewers. With matchups against Bowling Green and Arkansas on the horizon before Missouri on Oct. 5, A&M’s quarterback situation warrants attention.
Monday brought more quarterback news with Michigan’s decision to turn to Alex Orji over Davis Warren following the latter’s struggles against Arkansas State. College football is dynamic, with lineup changes occurring regularly. NC State continues to start CJ Bailey in place of the injured Grayson McCall, and Auburn opts for Hank Brown over Payton Thorne once again. It’s only Week 4, and the quarterback carousel keeps spinning.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed accounted for three touchdowns in the Aggies’ win over Florida on Saturday. (Matt Pendleton / USA Today)
Let’s delve into five key points that are sparking reactions in the college football world, from overreacting to underreacting to reacting just right.
We’re overreacting to … trash talk.
In the aftermath of Shedeur Sanders’ postgame interaction with Colorado State’s Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, opinions have been divided. A deeper look reveals that Sanders’ response was justified, given the pre-game comments from Fowler-Nicolosi. Healthy competition and some banter make the game more exciting.
Here’s a snippet of what was said before the game:
“The hype, the media train only gets so far at the end of the day. You have lined up 11 guys against our 11 guys, and we’ll see who wants it more. And we’ll see how far Instagram followers take them.” – Fowler-Nicolosi
Sanders clinched the victory and reacted accordingly. Trash talk, when kept within bounds, can add spice to the sport and ignite rivalries.
We’re underreacting to … the impressive performance of Group of 5 teams.
With the expanded College Football Playoff field, Group of 5 teams now have a shot at contention. Teams like UNLV, Boise State, and Northern Illinois have delivered standout performances against Power 5 opponents, underscoring the growing competitiveness within the Group of 5 landscape. It’s time to recognize and appreciate the skills and talent in these programs.
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Memphis, Liberty, and other Group of 5 squads are making waves with significant victories, highlighting the evolving landscape of college football playoffs and opening up discussions for an exciting season ahead.
We’re overreacting to … Georgia’s nail-biter against Kentucky.
Georgia faced a tough challenge against Kentucky, narrowly clinching a 13-12 win. While Georgia’s performance may have appeared lackluster, credit should be given to a resilient Kentucky team. Some of the most potent teams have struggled against seemingly weaker opponents, a common occurrence in the sport. Georgia fought hard and secured the win, showcasing the resilience of a championship-caliber team.
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While Georgia’s performance may have raised concerns, it’s crucial not to overlook the challenges posed by resilient opponents. Georgia’s winning streak showcases their ability to prevail even in tough matchups. Their upcoming clash with Texas promises a riveting showdown to settle the debate.
We’re underreacting to … Iowa’s offensive resurgence.
Iowa’s offensive turnaround under new coordinator Tim Lester is a notable storyline this season. After a lackluster offensive performance in the previous year, Iowa has shown significant improvement in points and yards per game. The emergence of standout players like Kaleb Johnson has injected new life into the team, signaling a positive shift in their offensive capabilities.
While it’s still early in the season and the competition level is set to increase, Iowa’s offensive resurgence is a promising sign of progress and development within the team.
We’re reacting perfectly to … Florida State’s struggles.
After a series of disappointing performances, it’s evident that Florida State is facing a challenging period. Errors on the field and a string of losses have dampened hopes for the program’s success. The team’s quarterback situation remains uncertain, and a need for revitalization is apparent to steer the program back on track.
While there may be uncertainties ahead, acknowledging the team’s current struggles is essential in addressing the areas that need improvement for a brighter future.
(Top photo: Scott Wachter / USA Today)
