The Excitement of College Football Season Is Back with Thrilling Week 1 Games
September 2, 2023
College football fans all around the country rejoiced as the first fully loaded Saturday of games marked the official arrival of the much-anticipated college football season. With wire-to-wire coverage of all the chaos, fans were treated to a thrilling start to the season with explosive matchups.
In one of the most exhilarating games of the day, Colorado managed to hold on in a back-and-forth battle against the 17th-ranked TCU. The Buffaloes emerged victorious with a close 45-42 win, delivering a marquee victory for Deion Sanders in his Power Five coaching debut. Sanders, known for his charismatic personality, had his stars shine bright on the field. His son, Shedeur Sanders, had a standout performance, throwing for a school-record 510 yards and four touchdowns in his own big-time debut. Adding to the excitement, four Buffaloes receivers finished with over 100 yards, including Travis Hunter, a former five-star recruit who played for Coach Prime at Jackson State. Hunter showcased his versatility by playing both offense and defense, finishing the game with 11 catches for 119 yards and even securing an interception.
While the Colorado vs. TCU matchup stole the spotlight, there are several other exciting games to look forward to as teams open their 2023 seasons. Here are some key matchups to keep an eye on for the remainder of the day:
Washington Huskies vs. Boise State Broncos
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: UW -14 | Total: 58.5
Washington’s offense proved its excellence during last year’s surprising 11-2 season, and most of the unit is back, including quarterback Michael Penix, a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The Huskies will face a potentially tricky Boise State team, which has a history of giving Pac-12 opponents a hard time. A win against Boise State would be a great start for Washington.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: UNC -2.5 | Total: 64.5
North Carolina aims to make some noise in the ACC, where Clemson and Florida State are the clear favorites. The Tar Heels, picked as third in the preseason ACC poll, have quarterback Drake Maye leading the team. Maye emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the country last season. On the other side, South Carolina, under the leadership of head coach Shane Beamer, aims to continue the momentum from their triumphant victories in the previous season.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: NBC | Line: PSU -20.5 | Total: 49.5
The Drew Allar era begins in State College as the Nittany Lions take on West Virginia. Allar steps in as the starting quarterback for Penn State, following the departure of four-year starter Sean Clifford. With high expectations for the season, Penn State boasts a strong defense and Allar has the potential to lead the team to victory. On the other side, West Virginia, led by head coach Neal Brown, faces a tough road matchup. Brown might be coaching for his job this season after a challenging four-year stint.
As college football season kicks into high gear, fans can expect more thrilling games and intense competition throughout the following weeks. The chaos and excitement of the sport are back, and fans are eagerly waiting to see which teams will rise to the top.