College Football has returned, and this season will look very different from previous seasons. It is the first after many teams moved conferences, causing the death of the Pac-12 and the birth of two “Super Conferences.” Additionally, the College Football Playoffs have been expanded to 12 teams, allowing more to challenge for the National Championship. All national championship-winning seasons start somewhere, so what happened in Week One to the Georgia Bulldogs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and LSU Tigers, among others?
Georgia take down Clemson
The number one-ranked Georgia Bulldogs opened their season against the 14-ranked Clemson Tigers. The Georgia Bulldogs are coming into the season as the favorite to win the national championship, while Clemson hopes to return to its usual status as the best team in the ACC.
The start of the game was slow, with the team’s first quarter struggling to get any offense going. This was the story of most of the first half, but Georgia kicker Peyton Woodring would be able to score two field goals to give the Georgia Bulldogs a slim 6-0 lead at the half.
The second half would be a completely different story. Immediately, Georgia extended its lead as Carson Beck scored his first touchdown of the year, a 7-yard pass to Colbie Young. While the Tigers could get something from their next drive (a field goal), it would not put any dent in the scoreline of the momentum the Bulldogs were riding.
Georgia would score three more touchdowns, including a 40-yard pass from Beck to London Humphreys, to record a convincing 34-3 win over Clemson and start their season strong.
Embed from Getty ImagesQuestions should be asked on this Clemson side. While the season’s first game is never really a true indication of where a team is, they did not even try to put up a fight. Could Dabo Swimmey’s team be set for another season of dismal performances, or is Georgia just that good that even a top ACC team cannot hold a candle to them? The silver lining for the Tigers is that the Florida State Seminoles also lost their opening game, meaning that this year’s ACC could be much closer than people think it will be.
Next week, Georgia welcomes Tennessee Tech to Athens, and the Tigers face Appalachian State.
Notre Dame run to victory
The 7th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish started their season against the 20th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. This game signified a new era for both teams. For the Aggies, it was their first team with former Duke coach Mike Elko as the program’s new coach, replacing Jimbo Fisher. For the Fighting Irish, it was the debut of former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who replaced Sam Hartman, who is now on the practice squad at the Washington Commanders.
Both teams started the game by trading field goals. There was little action from either offense in this half, apart from two interceptions thrown by Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman. Notre Dame was not able to fully capitalize on these mistakes, and the team went into the locker rooms tied at 6-6 at the half.
The second half began similarly to the first half ended, with both offenses struggling to get anything going. But then, the Fighting Irish finally woke up, as Jadarian Price found the endzone for a 47-yard touchdown, giving them their first lead. This did not last long, as Aggies’ Le’Von Moss would score a one-yard TD to tie things up as they went into the fourth quarter.
Embed from Getty ImagesNotre Dame found the endzone with less than two minutes on the clock through a 21-yard rushing TD from Jeremiyah Love, which gave them a narrow seven-point lead. The Aggies tried to reply and were forced into a 4th down attempt from their 33-yard line to stay in the game. Conner Weigman’s pass was incomplete, and the Aggies’ chances of winning the game would disappear. To add insult to injury, a final field goal from the Fighting Irish sealed a 23-13 victory.
The run game dominated this game, as both teams combined for 344 rushing yards, and the performances of the running backs were far more successful than those of the quarterbacks. Riley Leonard did not have to do much in this game, going 18-30 and throwing for 158 yards. This was enough for the victory, especially when considering the less-than-stellar performance from Conner Weigman (12-30, 100 yards, 2 Interceptions). I think both teams will have to improve to have a successful season.
Next week, Notre Dame faces Northern Illinois, while Texas A&M plays McNeese State.
LSU lost it on the last play
Last season, the number 23-ranked USC Trojans had the eventual number one pick of the 2024 NFL draft on their roster, while the number 13-ranked LSU Tigers had the second pick of that same draft. Both teams have found replacements for Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, respectively, but will they be able to live up to their predecessors?
LSU had the first drive of the game and nearly took the lead. Tigers’ quarterback Garrett Nussmeier made it down to the three-yard line before a failed fourth-down attempt stopped any momentum. USC would then be able to take the early lead, with running back Woody Marks finding the endzone with a two-yard TD. Nussmeier immediately replied with a 19-yard TD pass to Kyren Lacy to tie the score. A pair of field goals would mean the scores would remain tied at halftime, with the team locked at 10-10.
The Trojans retook the lead in the second half with a 35-yard field goal from Michael Lantz. But the Tigers would strike back with a 13-yard TD from Mussmeier to Aaron Anderson to put them ahead.
After a lull in action, Trojan’s quarterback Miller Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 28-yard TD to give USC the advantage. This did not last long, as a 31-yard field goal from LSU kicker Damian Ramos tied things up again with under two minutes to play.
The Trojans had the ball, and Moss led his offense down to the Tigers’ 13-yard line with eight seconds left on the clock. Here, Woody Marks would score the game-winning touchdown to give the USC Trojans a 27-20 upset victory over the LSU Tigers.
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth of the new quarterbacks had good days, with Moss (27-36, 378 yards, 1 TD) outperforming Nussmeier (29-38, 304 yards, 2TD, 1 Interception), but neither are likely to be as strong as Williams and Daniels were. This game was close, with the Trojans narrowly winning and strongly starting their time in the Big Ten Conference. As for the Tigers, this defeat will cost them down the line and could be the difference between a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoffs and not making the postseason.
Next week, the Trojans face Utah State, while LSU welcomes Nicholls to Baton Rouge.
What happened to the other ranked teams?
Akron @ #2 Ohio State
The number two-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes opened their hunt for a national championship against the Akron Zips. New Buckeyes QB Will Howard threw for 228 yards and scored two TDs as the Buckeyes dominated the Zips on all sides of the ball in their 52-6 victory.
Idaho @ #3 Oregon
The number three-ranked Oregon Ducks began their time in the Big Ten against the Idaho Vandals. Despite having a 14-0 lead at halftime, the Ducks struggled in this game. New QB Dillion Gabriel had a good night, throwing for 380 yards from 41-49 and scoring 2 TDs. However, this may have been the only player to have a good night, as the Ducks held on for a 24-14 victory. Expect them to drop in the rankings, as those around them have had better games.
Colorado State @ #4 Texas
Last season, the number four-ranked Texas Longhorns were one pass away from making the national championship. This year, they are ready to win it all, and now, as an SEC program, this is more than possible. They opened their time in the SEC against the Colorado State Rams. Texas dominated this game, with QB Quinn Ewers throwing for 260 yards and scoring 3 TDs. However, this game should also be noted for Arch Manning’s performance. After deciding to stay with the Longhorns for another season, many thought he would be wasting his career on the bench. He played for a few snaps yesterday, going 5-6 and scoring two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, in the Longhorns’ 52-0 victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesWestern Kentucky @ #5 Alabama
It began a new era for the number five ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Longtime coach Nick Saban retired in the off-season and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer. The DeBoer ear started with success against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Bama QB Jalen Milroe threw for 200 yards and scored both passing and running touchdowns in a 63-0 rout of the Hilltoppers.
Furham @ #6 Ole Miss
The number six ranked Ole Miss Rebels started their quest to repeat their 11-win season from last year against the Furham Paladins. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart was involved in six touchdowns in the first half, as Lane Kiffin’s side did not break a sweat again in their 76-0 victory.
#8 Penn State @ West Virginia
The number eight-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will now have to deal with many new teams in the Big Ten Conference threatening their recent status as the third-best team in the conference. The best way to keep this is to win games, which they did against the West Virginia Mountaineers. In a game that was delayed by lightning in the area, Penn State easily defeated the Mountaineers 34-12, with quarterback Drew Allar scoring three touchdowns.
Fresno State @ #9 Michigan
The number nine-ranked Michigan Wolverines have had a tough off-season. The national champions lost most of their starters and their head coach to the NFL, and the sign-stealing investigation is continuing, where there is a risk that they could have to vacate their championship. The Wolverines opened their season against the Fresno State Bulldogs and defeated them 30-10. Next week is their first proper test against the Texas Longhorns, which is, luckily for them, going to be held at The Big House.
Boston College @ #10 Florida State
This was the second game of the season for the number 10 ranked Florida State Seminoles, who are the defending ACC champions and were controversially denied a spot in the CFP last season. Their first game was played last weekend in Ireland, where the Georgia State Yellow Jackets defeated them. This week, they tried to return to winning ways against the Boston College Eagles. However, this did not happen. The Eagles outplayed the Seminoles and cruised to a 28-13 victory. The season has just started, yet it is all over for Florida State.
Murray State @ #11 Missouri
The number 11 ranked Missouri Tigers, who should be in contention for a spot in the CFP this season, faced the Murray State Racers in a game that the SEC side dominated. Tigers’ QB Brady Cook threw for 218 yards and scored both running and throwing TD’s as Missouri routed the Racers for a 51-0 victory. The only real high point for Murray State was that after a poor first quarter, they limited Missouri to 10 points or less in the other three.
Southern Utah @ #12 Utah
The number 12 ranked Utah Utes have a strong chance to win the Big 12 this season in their first attempt. They faced the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in their opening game. This marked the return of Utes’ QB Cam Rising, and Rising came back on a high. He threw for 254 yards, going 10-15 with 5 TDs as Utah recorded a 49-0 victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesChattanooga @ #15 Tennessee
For the third year, the number 15 ranked Tennessee Volunteers have a new starting QB. But this one appears set to stay. Nico Iamaleava went 22-18 for 314 yards, scoring three touchdowns in the Volunteers’ convincing victory over the Chattanooga Mocs.
Temple @ #16 Oklahoma
The number 16 ranked Oklahoma Sooners played their first game as an SEC program against the Temple Owls. Sooners’ QB Jackson Arnold went 17-25 for 141 yards and scored four touchdowns, three of them to transfer Deion Burns in a 51-3 victory over the Owls. However, the Sooner lost wide receiver Jalil Farooq to a broken foot, and he is expected to miss at least six weeks, according to coach Brent Venables.
South Dakota State @ #17 Oklahoma State
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are an FCS powerhouse, but what could they do against the number 17-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys? In Alan Bowman’s seventh season in College Football, he threw for 267 yards and scored three TDs, as Cowboy’s star running back Ollie Gordan scored two more TDs to give Oklahoma State a 44-20 win over the Jackrabbits.
UT Martin @ #18 Kansas State
Now without Will Howard, the number 18-ranked Kansas State Wildcats faced the UT Martin Skyhawks. This game went as expected, with new quarterback Avery Johnson throwing for two touchdowns as the Wildcats cruised to a 41-6 win.
#19 Miami @ Florida
The number 19 ranked Miami Hurricanes started their season against the struggling Florida Gators. The glory days of the Gators are long gone, as the Hurricanes outplayed the team. Miami QB Cam Ward threw for 385 yards, scoring three TDs as the Hurricanes recorded a 41-17 win. With the opening-game defeats of Clemson and Florida State, could Miami make the ACC a three-horse race?
New Mexico @ #21 Arizona
The number 21 ranked Arizona Wildcats were the surprise of the PAC-12 last year. With the PAC-12 dead, the Wildcats are in the Big 12 conference and could surprise everyone. They faced the New Mexico Lobos to open their season. Wildcats QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillian paired up for four TDs, with McMillian recording 304 yards in the process. This would give Arizona a convincing 61-39 victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesLindenwood @ #22 Kansas
The number 22 ranked Kansas Jayhawks had an easy opening game against the Lindenwood Lions. Jayhawks’ running back Devin Neal recorded 112 yards and scored two touchdowns, as Kansas convincing defeated the Lions 48-3.
Western Carolina @ #24 NC State
This game would be a lot closer than many predicted. The number 24 ranked NC State Wolfpack faced the Western Carolina Catamounts, and going into the fourth quarter, it would be the Catamounts with a four-point lead. However, three TDs from the Wolfpack, including a 50-yard run from Jordan Waters, sealed a 38-21 victory.
Illnois State @ #25 Iowa
The 25th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes struggled with their offense last year. It was like watching a completely different side in their game with the Illinois State Redbirds. The Hawkeyes offense scored more than 30 points, something they have not done since Week 3 of last season, in their 40-0 victory.
That was week one in the 2024 College Football season. Next week, the big game comes from The Big House, as the Wolverines face the Longhorns, while the rest of the top 10 faces significantly weaker opposition.