College football is officially back.
And somehow, Week 1 already gave us enough storylines for an entire season.
The biggest statement came from LSU.
Lane Kiffin’s debut couldn’t have gone much better, as No. 11 LSU absolutely destroyed Clemson 51-10 in Death Valley. LSU piled up 644 yards while holding Clemson to just 145. Sam Leavitt accounted for three touchdowns on the ground and another through the air.
For Clemson, it’s hard to imagine a worse start.
After several disappointing seasons, Dabo Swinney desperately needed to show Clemson was ready to become a national contender again.
Instead, the Tigers suffered one of the most embarrassing losses of the Swinney era.
Then there was Michigan-Western Michigan, which gave us the controversy of the weekend.
Western Michigan appeared to have pulled off a massive upset before officials put one second back on the clock. Bryce Underwood took advantage, finding JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown to give Michigan a ridiculous 13-12 victory.
Michigan survived.
But after committing three turnovers and needing a controversial final second to beat Western Michigan, the Wolverines certainly didn’t look like the No. 16 team in the country.
Oregon had problems of its own.
The No. 2 Ducks fell behind Boise State early and needed a fourth-quarter push to escape with a 34-27 victory. Oregon ultimately outgained Boise State 497-274, but it was hardly the dominant opener expected from a national championship favorite.
Meanwhile, several other contenders looked exactly how you would expect.
Ohio State beat Ball State 56-3, Texas destroyed Texas State 59-7, Georgia won 63-3 and Miami embarrassed Stanford 45-6. Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards for Ohio State, while Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns for Texas.
Miami might have been even more impressive.
Darian Mensah threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns, while Malachi Toney exploded for 234 receiving yards and three scores.
Sunday gave us arguably the best actual game of the weekend.
Ole Miss survived No. 24 Louisville 41-38 after Trinidad Chambliss led a late drive that set up Lucas Carneiro’s 48-yard game-winning field goal. Chambliss finished with 336 passing yards, 60 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
And Florida State’s concerns from its Week 0 victory turned out to be legitimate.
No. 19 SMU went into Tallahassee and beat FSU 27-24, with Kevin Jennings throwing for 430 yards and three touchdowns.
So after one full week, we’ve already learned plenty.
LSU looks terrifying. Clemson might be in serious trouble. Michigan was incredibly lucky. Oregon looks vulnerable. Miami looks legit. Trinidad Chambliss is already building a Heisman case. And Ohio State and Texas look ready for their massive Week 2 showdown.
Not bad for Week 1.
