College Football 24-25: Week 1 Review

Opening Week Blues, Part 5
After losses to Florida State in their last two openers, #13 LSU looked to get off to a good start in Las Vegas against #23 USC. Both schools were replacing Heisman-winning quarterbacks after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels left for the NFL. The ensuing battle between USC's Miller Moss and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier proved much tighter than anticipated. The difference in the game proved to be the final six minutes. With LSU holding a slight lead, USC drove down the field and took the lead after Moss dropped a dime to Ja'Kobi Lane. LSU responded with a field goal to tie the game, giving USC the ball with less than two minutes left. After Kyron Hudson made his second spectacular one-handed grab of the night and LSU was called for targeting on the play, it appeared that the Trojans were setting up for a game-winning field goal. Instead, Woody Marks scored his second touchdown of the game with eight seconds left to seal the victory. For the fifth straight season, LSU is off to a 0-1 start, suffering a heartbreaking loss in an incredible opening-week battle.

Dawgs > Cats
After a mundane first half with little to no offense, the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs laid into #14 Clemson in Atlanta in the second half to kick off the season. Georgia outscored Clemson 28-3 in the third and fourth quarters, breaking the game open with touchdowns on four of their first five drives after the break. Heisman hopeful Carson Beck shone in the second half, finishing the afternoon with 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik showcased the same struggles that plagued him last season. Clemson's offense sputtered against Georgia's defense. The Bulldogs truly looked like the team expected to rebound after missing the College Football Playoff. 

New Year, Same Texas A&M?
The Mike Elko era for the Aggies started poorly on Saturday. The team perpetually stuck in the shadow of bigger dogs in the SEC had a chance to set the tone for their season by hosting #7 Notre Dame as Elko welcomed his former quarterback, Riley Leonard, to College Station after both left Duke after last season. Things didn't get interesting until late in the third quarter when the two sides traded touchdowns to tie the game at 13. Notre Dame scored late in the game to pull ahead and added a late field goal to ice the game, earning a big road victory to get off on the right foot. Leonard didn't "Wow" in his Notre Dame debut, but it was more than enough to outperform a tough outing from Conner Weigman. Elko's start to his return to Texas A&M has left many questions.

New Favorites in the ACC
With Florida State faltering during Week 0 and Clemson's decimation against Georgia, #19 Miami needed a strong showing in The Swamp to help the ACC save face. Led by Washington State transfer Cam Ward, the Hurricanes shoved it to the Florida Gators in their domain. Ward threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Hurricanes dismantle Florida 41-17. Outside of one explosive run, Miami's defense kept the Gators' offense in check. With the ACC's preseason #1 and #2 not getting off to strong starts, Miami, as the third pick, suddenly finds its stock rising. There is plenty of season left, and one loss isn't going to kill either Florida State or Clemson, but Miami's opening win tells a compelling story. 

My Top 25
1. Georgia (1-0)
2. Ohio State (1-0)
3. Texas (1-0)
4. Alabama (1-0)
5. Ole Miss (1-0)
6. Notre Dame (1-0)
7. Oregon (1-0)
8. Penn State (1-0)
9. Michigan (1-0)
10. Missouri (1-0)
11. Utah (1-0)
12. Tennessee (1-0)
13. Oklahoma (1-0)
14. Miami (1-0)
15. Oklahoma State (1-0)
16. Kansas State (1-0)
17. USC (1-0)
18. LSU (0-1)
19. Clemson (0-1)
20. Arizona (1-0)
21. Kansas (1-0)
22. Iowa (1-0)
23. NC State (1-0)
24. SMU (2-0)
25. Texas A&M (0-1)

Along with doing my Top 25, I want to translate it into the new 12-team playoff format. For a reminder, the top four conference champions will earn the automatic byes, with the highest-ranked of the remaining conference champions also ensuring their spot in the Top 12. Outside of that, it's the best teams filling out the final eight spots. For the four automatic bids, I've listed my highest-ranked team from each Power 4 conference. 

My College Football Playoff Bracket
1. Georgia (SEC)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten)
3. Utah (Big 12)
4. Miami (ACC)

5. Texas (SEC) vs. 12. Boise State (MWC)
6. Alabama (SEC) vs. 11. Michigan (Big Ten)
7. Ole Miss (SEC) vs. 10. Penn State (Big Ten)
8. Notre Dame (IND) vs. 9. Oregon (Big Ten)

13. Missouri
14. Tennessee
15. Oklahoma

Week 2 Preview
The big game of the second week goes down in Ann Arbor as #3 Texas travels to face the defending national champions, #10 Michigan. While Texas made easy work of their Week 1 opponent, Michigan didn't bury Fresno State in a convincing enough fashion. This will be a ginormous test for Sherrone Moore and his staff. The only other meeting between ranked opponents will come in primetime as #14 Tennessee faces #24 NC State. 

Other Games to Watch
Baylor at #11 Utah
Boise State at #7 Oregon
Iowa State at #21 Iowa
Colorado at Nebraska

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