Saturday Observations: 10 Eye-Opening Story Lines

After a day of watching games (and seeing a little from some big upsets), I was all ready to share my observations from Sept. 4.

Two hours later, I'm finally ready (editor's note: Don't ever try to convert your two and a half-year-old from a crib to a bed on a Saturday). It wasn't two hours of crying. No, there was a crib that had to be put back together without the directions.

So I haven't seen as much of the Oregon State-TCU game or North Carolina-LSU game that I would have liked, but I saw enough.

Oh well, here's are some interesting observations from Saturday.

Sluggish in the Swamp

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 04: Trey Burton #13 of the Florida Gators attempts a reception against the Miami University RedHawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The post Tim Tebow-era didn't go so well for the Florida Gators. In the end, UF took care of Miami, Ohio, but don't forget the RedHawks went 1-11 last year.

There will be a lot of work on the shotgun snap this week in practice. The offense basically had a meltdown. If Urban Meyer's team plays like this next week, South Florida will leave Gainesville with its biggest win ever.

Mark Herzlich Returns to Action

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 04: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles blocks Erik Walker #83 of the Weber State Wildcats on September 4, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeated Weber State 38-20. (Photo

The return of Boston College's Mark Herzlich to the field after missing all of last season while battling cancer is a great story.

He had five tackles as the Eagles won 38-20 over Weber State. Herzlich is still trying to get back into shape, so he played part-time Saturday. But it was nice to see the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year back on the field.

Coaching Debuts: Good, Bad and Ugly

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish encourages his team against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, Kentucky's Joker Phillips, and Notre Dame's Brian Kelly are just a few examples of coaches who had some fun in their first game at new locations. Louisville's Charlie Strong lost to Phillips, but his team battled.

The biggest disappointment of the day has to be Kansas' Turner Gill. The Jayhawks fell 6-3 to North Dakota State at home.

Expectations are low for Gill and KU this fall, but this loss has to concern everyone at Kansas.

Nice Michigan Win, But Don't Overanalyze It

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ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines on the sidelines during the game with the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Michigan Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Remember how Michigan opened last year 4-0? While Denard Robinson's performance (197 yards rushing, 186 yards passing) was impressive, let's not overanalyze Michigan's 30-10 victory over UConn.

The Huskies were considered by many to be the favorite in this game, but UConn is still an average team that will likely finish middle of the pack in the Big East.

When Michigan beats Michigan State, Iowa, or Ohio State, then we can start to believe.

Wow, Jacksonville State in OT

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 27: Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt celebrates after a game against the University of Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 27, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

It wasn't a bad day for the SEC, but it wasn't a memorable one either. Ole Miss, which many feel is the worst team in the SEC West, was humbled by FCS opponent Jacksonville State in Oxford.

Turnovers and poor defense cost the Rebels. But that's no excuse. Houston Nutt's team has better talent and you can't lose this one.

Man, it could get ugly at Ole Miss this season.

Big East Blues

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LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 04: Victor Anderson #20 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

It's not a good week for the conference if Syracuse provides your league with its signature victory, but that's what happened.

The Orange claimed the Big East's lone victory against a fellow FBS team by dominating Akron on the road. The only other conference wins came against FCS opponents.

Pitt got the weekend off to a miserable start by losing to Utah in OT.

Then Connecticut forgot to play defense at Michigan, and Louisville battled but couldn't upset Kentucky.

Cincinnati is playing Fresno State late, so there's still hope for another win.

Who Needs Jeremiah Masoli? Not Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks (L) and free safety John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks (R) gang up to tackle running back Demond Dennis #1 of the New Mexico Lobos in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Sta

Oregon didn't miss former QB Jeremiah Masoli too much as the Ducks rolled to a 72-0 victory over New Mexico.

Oregon was also without RB LaMichael James, who was suspended for the game. Apparently Chip Kelly can win with eighth-graders.

This showing is also damaging to second-year New Mexico coach Mike Locksley, who enters the season on the hot seat after going 1-11 last year.

Big 12 Big Dogs Struggle

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #84 of the Texas Longhorns can't reach the pass as he is defended by cornerback Chris Jammer #38 at Reliant Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Texas beat Rice 34-17. (Photo by Bob Levey/

Oklahoma and Texas, two of the nation's elite teams, as well as Big 12 royalty, didn't enjoy easy wins to open 2010.

Both won, but who would have thought these two wouldn't run away with openers against Rice (Texas won 34-17) and Utah State (OU won 31-24)?

It's Week 1, so weird things happen, but there still has to be a few concerns in both camps.

Virginia Tech on Alert

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies throws a pass during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-14.

It started with Utah over Pitt Thursday night, BYU took down Jake Locker and Washington at home, and then TCU held off Oregon State as the non-BCS programs continue to make a statement in season openers.

Virginia Tech needs to be ready on Monday night or the non-BCS teams will be the top story all season and one of them will end up in the national title game.

If Boise wins, the rumbling from the non-BCS programs (especially those MWC teams) will get that much louder.

Cam Newton Shines In First Start

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Fans of the Auburn Tigers applaud a victory against the Northwestern Wildcats in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Auburn fans were more than happy to talk about Cam Newton all preseason. The former Florida Gator made his first start with the Tigers and he didn't disappoint.

How about this for an opener: 171 rushing yards and two scores to go with 186 passing yards and three more scores in a 52-26 win over Arkansas State?

Certainly, there are a few Auburn fans who would love to chat about Newton.