College Football: Winners and Losers from Week 0

Northwestern beat Nebraska 31-28 in the season opener. The team that was favored by double digits won the game. Ryan Hilinski was outstanding in orchestrating a faster tempo. Evan Hull had 119 rushing yards and a score, and Cam Porter added 94. The offensive line dominated. Peter Skoronski often was the best player on the field. Northwestern went 3-9 last season.

Scott Frost's team lost to Northwestern 28-17 on Saturday. Frost called for an onside kick after his team had just scored two touchdowns in 28 seconds. The Huskers' five offensive possessions after that debacle went three-and-out, three and out, interception, four- and-one, and an interception in the game's closing minutes. Nebraska overhauled its team through the transfer portal, brought in a new quarterback and up-tempo offensive coordinator Mark Whipple from Pittsburgh.

Bret Bielema's Illinois team is off to a good start in his second Big Ten stint. They beat Wyoming 38-6 on Saturday. Bieledma is known for his power-football formula. Illinois hasn't had a winning record since 2011. The team finished last year with four conference wins. The biggest evidence of Bieelma’s handprints is in the tough, rugged running game.

UConn football team lost 31-20 to Utah State Aggies in Jim Mora's first game. The team has lost 33 of its past 37 football games and hasn't won a game in 12 years. Moro is worried about injured players on his team. He has found a running back in Nathan Carter. He also has a new quarterback in Ta'Quan Roberson. It's possible Moran may build a program from the ashes.

UNLV Rebels beat Idaho State Bengals 52-21 in the season opener. Doug Brumfield played well for the Rebels. Marcus Arroyo's team had a 2-10 record last season. He has a good team in a great city. He's a former Oregon offensive coordinator. The team has good recruiting potential. It's possible that the team will have a better season this year. They were 23.5-point favorites.

Vanderbilt beat Hawaii 63-10 in the season-opening game. It was the most points scored in a game since 1969. The Commodores lost to East Tennessee State last season. Mike Wright was Vanderbilt's best player. The defense played with the tough-minded mentality Clark Lea wants to instill in Nashville. Hawaii's offense stalled often and turned the ball over twice.