For the most part, college football has become largely unwatchable in its opening week, as most major conference programs schedule a sure win against teams from college football's lower division. Guaranteed win? Tell that to Ole Miss and Kansas.
Appropriately, Boston College's 11 remaining 2010 opponents went a combined 10-1 in Week 1. BC's opponents went 6-0 against teams from FCS and 4-1 against FBS teams (with the only blemish being Virginia Tech's loss to Boise State on Monday night). Let's take a trip through the box scores and recaps to learn more about the Eagles' soon-to-be vanquished opponents.
- Kent State 41, Murray State 10. Like last year, the Golden Flashes jumped out to a 1-0 start as they took care of the FCS's Murray State Racers, 41-10. Kent State was up 24-10 at halftime before scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half to put away the Racers. Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog, thinks that if the Florida Gators played Kent State this weekend, and not 1-11 Miami (Ohio), the Flashes could have pulled off the upset. It was a great weekend to be a Keith as Kent State's QB Spencer Keith won MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors (coupled with the MAC's Defensive Player of the Week, Keith Morgan). Kent State travels to Chestnut Hill this weekend to take on the Eagles. [Hustle Belt, Box Score]
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Boise State 33, Virginia Tech 30. The 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies spotted No. 3 Boise State 17 points in the first quarter of the marquee game of the weekend and couldn't recover. Another year, another early-season loss on national television for the Hokies. We've certainly seen Tech bounce back from these type of gut-wrenching, season-opening losses in the past, but BC fans have to be a bit more optimistic about their chances at the end of this month. Hokies QB Tyrod Taylor finished the night 15-of-22 for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. The two-headed RB monster of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans finished with a combined 24 rushes, 56 yards and a pair of scores (both by Williams). The Hokies will try to regroup as they face James Madison on Saturday (ed. note -- GO DUKES!). [Gobbler Country, Box Score]
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Notre Dame 23, Purdue 12. The Irish started the Brian Kelly era off on the right foot with a 23-12 win over Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium. It might not have been the prettiest of victories, and some shadows from the Weis Era may have reared their ugly head during the game, but a win is a win. The biggest key for the Irish was the play of the defense, which shined. Last season, Notre Dame's D couldn't stop anything. First-year starting QB Dayne Crist finished the game 19-of-26 for 205 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Michael Floyd picked up where he left off, catching five balls for 82 yards -- a team high. The Irish don't get any breaks in the schedule this season, as they play three rivalry games -- Michigan, at Michigan State, Stanford -- before traveling to Chestnut Hill on October 2. [Rakes of Mallow, Box Score]
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N.C. State 48, Western Carolina 7. The FCS Western Carolina Catamounts had a horrifying surprise in story for the Wolfpack faithful that conjured up images of past games gone sour. In their first possession, the Catamounts marched down the field and scored a touchdown in an easy 87-yard, 10-play drive. Luckily for State fans, that was all the scoring WCU would do in this game as the Wolfpack coasted to a 48-7 victory on Saturday. QB Russell Wilson had a big day, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns. Still, the lack of a running game for N.C. State is particularly disconcerting. Hard to imagine a 48-7 victory can leave a head coach and a fanbase unsettled, but the Wolfpack seemed to have accomplished just that with their performance on Saturday. The whole thing feeling very "five-winnish" is a great sign for BC, particularly because the Eagles have to travel to Raleigh to take on the Wolfpack on October 9. [Backing The Pack, Box Score]
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Florida State 59, Samford 6. The Jimbo Fisher era kicked off in Tallahassee in style, as the Seminoles offense picked apart the Samford Bulldogs to the tune of 59-6. Tomahawk Nation writes that the "Jimbo Fisher Era could not have started any better." That's bad news for BC. The good news is that Florida State jumps into the season with two feet next week as they travel to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners, in a game FSU is already an 8.5-point underdog in. Heisman hopeful QB Christian Ponder had a big first day, throwing for 4 scores and 167 yards on 12-of-14 passing before giving way to backup E.J. Manuel for half a game of work. [Tomahawk Nation, Box Score]