It does not get any better than Week 1 of the college football season.
Unless you were living in a cave, each team got their chance to perform on a national stage. For some teams, it went as expected, but for others, the result was disappointing, thus forcing many to rethink the direction of their program.
With all this noted, there is plenty to talk about, so let's summarize what we learned in Week 1.
What Did We Learn From Week 1?
It may have been Week 1, but Shedeur Sanders has taken the pole position for QB1 in the upcoming NFL Draft, after what he did to the North Dakota State defense (despite the 'fake' injury). Secondly, Travis Hunter is this generation's Charles Woodson, as he is capable of impacting the game on both offense and defense. Thirdly, they have a secret weapon in receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. who is a talented player there is in college football. Despite some issues in the trenches, the Buffaloes have the ingredients to get better as the season continues.
Clemson's defense held the line as best they could until Georgia's offense exploded in the second half. Dabo Swinney should consider using the transfer portal to select his next quarterback, as Cade Klubnik may not be the right one.
Miami's new quarterback, Cam Ward, is exactly the type of player Mario Cristobal needed—a calm, confident, and cerebral presence who makes the offense work in a way not seen during the Tyler Van Dyke era. This version of the Hurricanes is dangerous and has all the makings of a top-5 team.
Ole Miss and their juggernaut offense led by the duo of Jaxson Dart and Tre Harris wreaked havoc over Furman's defense. Quite frankly, they look like a top-3 team and the type this is going to be a major problem in the SEC this season.
The Kalen DeBoer era in Alabama jumpstarted with an impressive and well-balanced performance against Western Kentucky. One thing that fans will learn this season is not to underestimate DeBoer and what he is capable of doing.
LSU vs. USC was well worth the price of admission. Both teams showed their firepower on offense early, then the strength of the defensive units in the second half. In the end, Miller Moss made clutch plays, and LSU made one too many mistakes down the stretch. LSU has yet to win a Week 1 game in neutral territory under Brian Kelly.
For the first time in a long time, Nebraska has reasons to be hopeful with their quarterback Dylan Raiola (Patrick Mahomes' doppelganger) and Matt Rhule as their head coach. Their showing against UTEP was potentially a sign of greater things ahead this season.
True, a win is a win. However, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore should be concerned about the fact that both of his quarterbacks combined for 121 passing yards, while star running back Donovan Edwards produced little on the ground. Fresno State is a tough team, no doubt, but fans should be concerned about their ability to compete with Texas next weekend.
Say what you want, but Arizona has the best quarterback-receiver tandem in Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan, as seen by their victory over New Mexico. No offense, Luther Burden III, but McMillan is on another level.
Despite the loss, the Abilene Christian Wildcats made a name for themselves by almost pulling off a huge upset against Texas Tech and dropping 51 points in the process.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his long-awaited debut, and he was everything we expected: sharp, efficient, and impressive to watch. Chattanooga must have been paid well to be shamed on national television.
True enough, Ohio State dominated Akron, yet the quality of their performance was somewhat questionable. One should expect quarterback Will Howard and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to level up as the season goes on. For this occasion, the Buckeys did not play like the No. 2 team in college football.
To say the Texas Longhorns look like contenders is an understatement. By the end of the first quarter, Colorado State realized they had no chance. Quarterback Quinn Ewers appears to be as efficient as we've ever seen him. Arch Mannning's future prospects appear promising.
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising began his seventh collegiate season with a dominant performance against Southern Utah. If he and tight end Brant Kuithe can stay healthy on defense, the sky is the limit.
Get this, Iowa's scored 40 points, 40. From what we verified, the last time the Hawkeyes scored 40 or more points was last season against Western Michigan. Worth noting, their head coach, Kirk Ferentz, wasn't on the sidelines. Just saying.
Speaking of dominating performances, Missouri easily defeated Murray State, and quarterback Brady Cook didn't have to work very hard. Dealing with Luther Burden III is difficult enough, but teams will also have to contend with Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll in the backfield.
Let us discuss about Vanderbilt. Their effort versus Virginia Tech was likely the most impressive of Week 1. We have to confess, quarterback Diego Pavia and receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. are as good as any in college football.
A healthy Jalon Daniels only increases the chances of Kansas becoming playoff contenders. The only thing we can say is that at least Linenwood showed up and got paid.
We didn't learn much about Oklahoma after their defeat of Temple, other than that their defense is solid. Jackson Arnold isn't awful either.
As underwhelming quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense were in their win over Idaho, we were introduced to potential stars on defense in sophomore Matayo Uiagalelei and junior transfer Derrick Harmon. As for the Vandals, their defense was no joke, especially Keyshawn James-Newby.
Simply put, Arkansas is fierce. What they showed against Arkansas Pine Bluff is how balanced they are on both sides of the ball. As much as we talk about Carson Beck or Brady Cook, expect Taylen Green to make his case for one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC.
RJ Harvey may only be 5'8 but against New Hampshire he carried the offense on his back all the way to victory. UCF could make their presence felt this season.
Wake Forest has gotten little attention this offseason, but their offense, lead by quarterback Hank Bachmeier, is no joke. What they accomplished against North Carolina A&T was only a glimpse of their potential.
Congratulations to the SMU Mustangs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on becoming college football's first 2-0 teams.
Top Week 1 Performers
Offense-
WR Tetairoa Mcmillan - Arizona
QB Noah Fifita - Arizona
QB Jaxson Dart - Ole Miss
RB Ashton Jeanty - Boise State
QB John Mateer - Washington State
QB Shedeur Sanders - Colorado
WR Jimmy Horn Jr. - Colorado
QB Cameron Ward Miami
WR/DB Travis Hunter - Colorado
WR Tre Harris - Ole Miss QB Miller Moss - USC
QB Maverick McIvor - Abilene Christian
QB Nico Iamaleava - Tennessee
QB Kyle McCord - Syracuse
QB Taylen Green - Arkansas
QB Behren Morton - Texas Tech
QB Payton Thorne - Auburn
RB Jonah Coleman - Washington
QB Quinn Ewers - Texas
QB Joe Labas - Central Michigan
QB Eli Holstein - Pittsburgh
QB Brendan Sorsby - Cincinnati
WR Kevin Concepcion -North Carolina State
WR Kyle Williams - Washington State
WR Ryan Williams - Alabama
RB Dylan Sampson - Tennessee
TE Brant Kuithe - Utah
QB Jake Retzlaff - BYU
WR Dont'e Thornton jr. - Tennessee
RB RJ Harvey - UCF
QB Dillon Gabriel - Oregon
RB Anthony Tyus III - Ohio
RB Terion Stewart - Bowling Green
Defense-
DL Jahvaree Ritzie - North Carolina
CB Will Johnson - Michigan
DL Keyshawn James-Newby - Idaho
DL Aaron Graves - Iowa
DL Dylan Stewart - South Carolina
LB Francisco Mauigoa - Miami
DL Kevin Pointer - Wake Forest
DL JT Tuimoloau - Ohio State
LB Chris Paul Jr. - Ole Miss
DB Keon Sabb - Alabama
DL Matayo Uiagalelei - Oregon
CB Toriano Pride Jr. - Missouri
DL Sai'vion Jones - LSU
LB West Weeks - LSU
DL Jonah Pace - Central Michigan
CB Malaki Starks - Georgia
LB Stephen Dix Jr. - Arkansas
DL Derrick Harmon - Oregon
DT Zane Durant - Penn State
DL Elijah Alston - Miami
LB Zach Marcheselli - Tulsa
DL Khris Bogle - Michigan State
DB Angelo Grose - Michigan State
DT Gracen Halton - Oklahoma
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