Highlights: CSJ FBS Group of Five Top Five Games and Recap of Week 1

Wow, what a showing by the BYU Cougars on Labor Day evening. In my preview of the game, I thought BYU was going to win but to blowout a 11-win Navy team on their home field. Never thought that would happen.

The COVID 19 pandamic did make for little atmosphere at Navy. Even the Brigade of Midshipmen was not allowed in the stadium and the 34,000 seats remained vacant due to restrictions ordered by the state of Maryland.

And BYU had all the firepower in this game. The Cougars were adept running the ball, efficient passing, and were simply dominant on defensive against the Navy triple option. It was almost a flawless performance, one that bodes well for a team looking to sweep its current eight-game schedule.

Elsewhere, SMU was sluggish but did find a way to beat in-state foe Texas State on the road in what was the most exiting game of the weekend.

Memphis and Arkansas State were close like I predicted through the first half but the Tigers rolled late in the game to win rather easily.

South Alabama was the one upset in the first all FBS game played on Thursday. The Jaguars won another fairly close game on the road at Southern Miss. The loss for the Golden Eagles also shockingly had Coach Jay Hopson resign over the weekend. Co-Offensive Coordinator Scotty Walden will serve as the interim head coach.

In the only other game featuring two FBS G5 teams saw Army mismantle Middle Tennessee in another blowout.

There were also four FCS versu G5 games with all G5 teams coming out on top; included UTEP which broke a 11-game losing streak with is win over Stephen F. Austin. Marshall, North Texas, and UAB also picked up opening weekend wins over their FCS foes.

More Group of Five teams open in Week 2 next week but there are a couple of games that have been postponed due to COVID 19 already. SMU’s second game versus rival TCU was canceled for this week due to COVID 19 outbreaks from TCU. And the Tulsa – Oklahoma State game opener for both teams has been moved back to Week 3 due to Tulsa having an outbreak over this past week and needing time to recover.

Here are my Top Five games of the week (which is all the G5 vs. G5 games) with video highlights with a detailed game recap in the score link:

1.  SMU 31 Texas State 24 (San Marcos, Tex.)

2.  South Alabama 32 Southern Miss 21 (Hattiesburg, Miss.)

3.  Memphis 37 Arkansas State 24 (Memphis, Tenn.)

4.  Army 42 Middle Tennessee St. 0 (West Point, N.Y.)

5.  BYU 55 Navy 3 (Annapolis, Mary.)