Week 1 of the college football season is completed (unlike many of the passes in the first games), and the first poll of the active season has been established. We knew ahead of time that the upper strata were going to be shaken up, what with no fewer than three games involving top-10 matchups on the slate. Toss in an additional upset, and this list already looks far different than the pre-season picks.
The Labor Day weekend was a good time to see just what your school was capable of, how well they were ranked, as well as getting to know all of the new players who are now your favorite, thanks to the transfer portal fluidity.
It was a packed weekend, with games extended through Monday night, when Bill Belichick’s college debut saw him roundly run off by TCU. (And due to our managing editor’s affinity for the Tar Heels, that is all we will mention of this.) Here’s the rundown of the highlights from this debut weekend and some of the notable results.
On to the bigger games.
Ohio State 14 - Texas 7
In a game that was as much about flagging offenses as it was a defensive battle, the long-awaited Arch Manning era got off to a grinding start. The touted Longhorn QB struggled all day, as he missed receivers on the way to just 170 yards in the air, and was not able to get Texas to the end zone until there was 3:28 remaining in the game. On the other side, the Buckeyes were not much better, gaining only 203 yards of total offense. The game came down to essentially two plays, which could have easily flipped the score. Texas was completely stymied inside the five-yard line and could not punch in with a 4th-and-inches. Ohio State got the winning score on a miracle no-look catch by Carnell Tate in the end zone with blanket coverage.
Miami 27 - Notre Dame 24
Playing under tropical rains, the Carson Beck era in Miami started strong. After a first quarter where the Georgia Bulldog transfer looked off on his timing with receivers, he settled in and piloted the offense for much of the game. Beck ran three touchdown drives of 70+ yards as he seemed thrilled to have receivers who could hang onto the ball, even in the rain. (Last year, he suffered from the most dropped passes in D-1 play with the Bulldogs.) One surprise for the Hurricanes was receiver Malachi Toney, a local 17-year-old recruit the team kept secret, who had 82 yards receiving and a touchdown. The highlight was a staggering one-handed 20-yard nab by Liberty transfer CJ Daniels, stabbing the ball as it was about to be intercepted and tucking it in as he landed for the touchdown. Two fourth-quarter scores tied the game, but helping preserve the win was a wild Miami interception that was deflected twice and then kicked in midair before being taken in by star lineman Rueben Bain Jr.
LSU 17 - Clemson 10
In another offensive letdown by Heisman hopefuls, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier spent much of the game shaking off the rust. Klubnick was hounded all game by the Tigers' defense as he went 19/38 and an interception. Making his cause more difficult was a complete absence of a running game, with Clemson gaining just 31 yards in total. Nussmeier fared better, coming around in the second half and guiding LSU to the go-ahead score with 12 minutes remaining to take the road win.
FSU 31 - Alabama 17
The biggest top-10 upset came Saturday night as the hotseat watch for Kalen DeBoer begins. The Alabama faithful were dismayed to see their school coming back down to Earth. They are unsettled, however, not just with a loss this early, but with the level of defeat. Florida State dominated both sides of scrimmage as they nearly rushed for three times the yardage. This result stands as the first time the Tide lost an opener by more than two touchdowns since 1970. And this blowout took place with the Seminoles only making nine completions.
Also seen: Kansas State fell off as the early #17 squad lost to Iowa State on Week-0 in Ireland, and this week had to edge North Dakota as it took Avery Johnson hitting his third touchdown pass with under a minute left in the game. Utah looks completely different as it stormed past UCLA, 43-10, putting up more points than the Utes were likely to have scored in two games last season.
LSU, Iowa State, and Miami were the big movers, as Alabama took a 13-point dive
Here is the new AP Top-25 (1st place votes received)
Ohio State (55)
Penn State (7)
LSU (3)
Georgia
Miami
Oregon
Texas
Clemson
Notre Dame
South Carolina
llinois
Arizona State
Florida
Florida State
Michigan
Iowa State
SMU
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
Ole Miss
Alabama
Tennessee
Indiana
Texas Tech
Utah
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
Help us continue to expose their left-wing bias by reading news you can trust. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.