B1G Ten Week 1: Happy Valley Reigns Supreme, USC says Caleb Who, and our Top 5...

 A win is a win is a win.  That seems to be the mantra for week 1 of college football in the B1G Ten.  Except maybe for Penn State, and USC.   Good wins for them, Penn State with a legit road win, Southern Cal with a neutral site win over a ranked opponent in LSU.  Giving up only 20 points, what seems like a milesotne for a Lincoln Riley coached team.  But more impressive was how the Nittany Lions went into a hostile environment and shut down West Virginia in a "border war rivalry game!"

Miller Moss had his coming out party last night for USC.  He played with a swagger and a chip on his shoulder that was effective enough to lead Southern Cal to the victory.  The winning touchdown grab in the final seconds.  Impressive!  He keeps playing like that, Trojans fans will soon forget all about Caleb Williams and his colored fingernails.  He will have Colin Cowherd salivating all over himself for the entire fall, declaring him the new next Tom Brady!   And he left Brian Kelly pounding the podium after the game, not even resorting to his new found southern drawl.  

Happy Valley fans have to be excited about Drew Allar.  He showed poise and precision in the first half in that hostile environment to calm down the Mountaineer crowd.   Their defense looked even more impressive.   James Franklin pushed all the right buttons against West Virginia.  The Mountaineers may not be a top 25 team, but it is a ROAD win against a formidable opponent in week 1, and that has to be recognized.  

What the hell happened with Iowa?  They scored 40 points.  That isn't a misprint, they scored 40 points.  Cade McNamara to the rescue!  In previous years, I would say Iowa is almost a lock for the B1G Ten Championship game.  But, like I said, previous years.  Ohio State looked impressive, against Akron, take that for what it's worth.  Will Howard will get a lot of the hype.  He has the game, and they have found themselves another wide receiver stud in Jeremiah Smith!  But it all won't matter if they can't beat Michigan. 

Speaking of Michigan, their defense was as advertised.  Fresno State was impressive on defense, and may not lose another game.  But can Davis Warren continue to have success, being bailed out by the defense every week?  And when can the Don catch a break?  We will find out with Texas coming to town this weekend!  

Dillon Gabriel brought the goods with impressive states for Oregon, but they needed every bit of it to beat Idaho, at home.  Idaho.  Ouch.  Not ideal, but a win is a win is a win.  I think, though, that Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan will play a little better defense than Idaho.  

I still like Michigan State getting over five wins.  Less than stellar outing at home against Florida Atlantic, but Aidan Chiles is the real deal.  Just give him time.  They have Maryland who blasted an inferior opponent in U Conn.   That is going to be an interesting matchup this week.   UCLA and Northwestern.....oh boy.  Ah well,

the B1G Ten went 17-1, thank you P.J. Fleck.  I know it was a decent opponent, but really?  Couldn't give the B1G Ten a clean sweep?  

Big Ten Top Five:

1.  Penn State---Loved their intensity going on the road at Morgantown.  They had me fooled, which doesn't take much, but they played a complete game.  Breather game this week against Bowling Green.

2.  Ohio State--Yes, I know it was only Akron, but they looked impressive, nonetheless.  Will Howard lived up to opening game hype.  And their defense pitched a shutout.  Did what they had to do.  Monster game against Western Michigan this Saturday.  

3.  USC--They had an impressive neutral site win against LSU.  It was hard to not put them ahead of Ohio State,  and Miller Moss had his coming out party.  Still not sold on Lincoln Riley's defense.  Utah State is next.  A chance to pad stats on both sides of the ball.  

4.  Michigan--Defense was impressive, but offense not so much.  Obviously the two main questions will be Davis Warren and Donavan Edwards.  No questions on their defense.  Texas invades Ann Arbor this Saturday.  Will see how the defending National Champions fare against a nationally ranked team.  

5.  Oregon--Dillon Gabriel brought the stats...but they need every bit of them at home against Idaho.  Idaho.  Congrats on the win, but didn't look like a team ballyhooed to win the B1G Ten.  

HM--Iowa, they did score 40.  Impressive!

What do you think?  Join me every Wednesday night at 7pm for The Captain Lou Extravaganza live on https://12ozsports.com/!  We have lively conversation, with great guests.  And enter to win great prizes in The Captain Lou Six Pack Challenge.  I went 2-4 last week.  So if you entered, there's a good chance you qualified for great prizes to be given away at the end of the year.  Your next chance comes this Wednesday!