College football is here. With the more weeks that go on, more news and notes will be put together. Here are some of the things happening around the sport of college football heading into week 1.
Alabama Linebacker Dylan Moses is out for the season with Torn ACL
During a Tuesday practice, Alabama Dylan Moses went down with a knee injury that is now confirmed as a torn ACL. He will miss the entire 2019 football season. The news was first reported by Al.com.
It is believed that Alabama junior linebacker Dylan Moses suffered a severe injury last night at practice. What we know coming up at 10 on @3ManFront.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) August 28, 2019
Alabama will now look for inexperienced players to step up at the position. Shane Lee and Markail Benton will likely be the players chosen to fill in for Moses.
Florida-Miami Draws Highest Ratings for ESPN Since 2016
The game between Florida and Miami was sloppy, but it was the highest-rated game for ESPN since 2016 according to a press release. It had a 4.1 overnight rating. This was the best rating for a Saturday game in August and for Labor Day Weekend.
Now it will be interesting to see how teams and network schedule week 0 games moving forward. Florida and Miami likely drew a lot of ratings because it was a rivalry and it was the only game on at the time.
Boise State vs. Florida State is Moved to Tallahassee
Due to Hurricane Dorian hitting Florida this weekend, the game between Boise State and Florida State has been moved from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. It was supposed to be a neutral site game, although Florida State is way closer to Jacksonville than Boise State, but the weather led to both teams agreeing to change the venue.
Kickoff has also been moved to 12 p.m. EST to help the teams avoid the inclement weather.
James Blackman to Start for Florida State
QB1#DoSomething | #OneTribe
📝: https://t.co/Qicfr8QJty pic.twitter.com/LeXOpta90F
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 26, 2019
Florida State has named their starter for the season-opener against Boise State in James Blackman. Blackman started the majority of the 2017 season, as Deondre Francois injured his knee in the first game of the season against Alabama. Last season he was resigned to the backup role for Francois.
Francois was kicked off the team this offseason. Florida State added Wisconsin-transfer Alex Hornibrook, but Blackman was able to beat him out for the job.
In his career, Blackman has thrown for 2,740 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 59.2 percent completion.
Other Starting Quarterbacks are Named
Here is the list of starting quarterbacks announced leading up to week 1:
- Michael Penix Jr. will take over as starter for Indiana.
- Wisconsin has named Jack Coan as their starting quarterback.
- SMU-transfer Ben Hicks has been named Arkansas’ starter.
- NC State will start redshirt sophomore Matt McKay.
- Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson will start for Maryland.
- Kansas State transfer Alex Delton will start for TCU.
Texas to Honor Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson, a Texas football legend, passed away due to a motorcycle accident. Texas will now honor him with his number 32 sticker on their helmets.
Texas will honor former RB Cedric Benson by wearing his No. 32 on helmet this year pic.twitter.com/ZexYgXDKPQ
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 26, 2019
Other News and Notes
- Former Director of Athletic Medicine Dr. Scott Lynch is suing Penn State, AD Sandy Barbour head football coach James Franklin and others for being forced to clear players who were still injured. (per David Jones)
- Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested for domestic assault on Saturday. (Per Brett McMurphy)
- Alabama running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson are suspended for the first half of the season opener against Duke after showing up late to a team meeting. Terrell Lewis and Devonta Smith are also reportedly going to face some discipline.
- Virginia Tech’s Brock Hoffman was denied immediate eligibility after transfering to the school to be closer to his sick mother.
- USC quarterback Jack Sears has entered the transfer portal.
- Arkansas will play Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium to end next season instead of playing them in Columbia.
- The AAC will get rid of divisions and have their two top teams play in the championship game next season (per Brett McMurphy)
- Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith has been cleared to play after receiving treatments for blood clots in the offseason.
- Tennessee defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon has been granted immediate eligibility for the Volunteers.
- Iowa wide receiver Oliver Martin has been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.
- Cincinnati defensive back James Wiggins is out for the season opener vs. UCLA with a knee injury.
This will be updated up until week 1 kicks off!
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