College Football Week 1 Recap: Michigan Survives a Miracle, LSU Makes a Statement and Week 1 Immediately Goes Off the Rails

College football made us wait eight months and then decided to cram about three weeks worth of insanity into the opening weekend.

Week 1 of the 2026 season gave us blowouts, upsets, controversial officiating, Hail Marys, FCS teams beating FBS programs and several preseason contenders immediately forcing us to reconsider everything we thought we knew in August. Some teams looked exactly like the national championship contenders we expected. Others looked like they spent the entire offseason practicing a completely different sport.

And somehow Rutgers managed to get the chaos started before Saturday even arrived.

Rutgers Somehow Loses to UMass

We'll start in Piscataway because this might quietly be the worst loss of the entire weekend.

Rutgers opened the season at home against a UMass program that entered Thursday having lost 16 consecutive games. UMass hadn't beaten an FBS opponent since October 2023. This was supposed to be the standard Week 1 tune-up where Rutgers handled business, worked through a few mistakes and moved onto Boston College.

Instead, UMass beat Rutgers 37-21.

Not only did Rutgers lose, but former Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak came back into SHI Stadium as the UMass head coach and immediately handed his former employer one of the most embarrassing losses of the Greg Schiano era. Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III was excellent, throwing for 197 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 40 yards on the ground. He finished the game with as many touchdown passes as incompletions. UMass ended its 16-game losing streak and earned its first FBS victory in nearly three years.

That is a disaster for Rutgers.

Losing a football game happens. Losing at home to a Power Four opponent happens. But if Rutgers wants to become a legitimate middle-tier Big Ten program rather than constantly fighting just to reach bowl eligibility, these are games it simply cannot lose. UMass didn't steal this thing on some last-second blocked kick either. The Minutemen scored 37 points and deserved to win.

Rutgers now goes to Boston College on September 11, and suddenly what looked like a manageable opening stretch has pressure attached to it immediately. Week 1 doesn't end your season, but this is exactly the type of loss that you're thinking about in November when you're sitting at five wins trying to figure out where bowl eligibility slipped away.

Michigan Won... But I Have No Idea How

Then there's Michigan.

We already talked about this game because I still can't completely believe what happened.

No. 16 Michigan entered the season as a 27.5-point favorite over Western Michigan. Instead of rolling, the Wolverines spent nearly the entire night getting bullied by a MAC team inside the Big House.

Western Michigan dominated possession, holding the football for more than 40 minutes while Michigan had it for less than 20. Michigan turned the ball over three times. The Wolverines committed nine penalties for 80 yards. Their offense produced only 276 total yards, and Bryce Underwood spent most of the night looking completely uncomfortable.

Western Michigan led 12-7 with 35 seconds remaining.

Michigan looked dead.

Underwood then hit JJ Buchanan for 28 yards to move Michigan near midfield, but the Wolverines' first Hail Mary attempt appeared to end the game. The clock hit zero, Western Michigan's sideline poured onto the field and the Broncos thought they had just pulled off one of the biggest wins in school history.

Then replay got involved.

Officials determined that one second should be placed back on the clock. Western Michigan had to clear the celebration off the field, Michigan received one more play, and

Underwood threw another Hail Mary.

JJ Buchanan went up and caught it. Touchdown.

Michigan 13, Western Michigan 12. Absolute insanity.

The controversy isn't going away either. Western Michigan's president has already publicly questioned whether the Big Ten's replay-clock process operated as well as it should have, although he stopped short of calling the final play itself unfair.

For Michigan fans, take the win and run.

For everyone else, the bigger takeaway is that Michigan looked nowhere close to a top-20 football team for 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Underwood finished only 12-of-22 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, although he also ran for Michigan's first score. Buchanan was the offensive hero with six catches for 126 yards and the game-winning 47-yard touchdown.

Michigan's defense deserves credit. Western Michigan constantly possessed the football and repeatedly received advantageous situations because of Michigan turnovers, yet the defense kept forcing field goals instead of allowing touchdowns. Troy Bowles finished with 12 tackles while Dom Nichols recorded nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.

But Michigan gets No. 10 Oklahoma next week.

If that offense looks anything like it did against Western Michigan, one extra second isn't saving them.

Boise State Covered — and Nearly Beat Oregon

One of the bets we talked about Saturday was Boise State +24.5.

That one was never really in danger. Boise didn't just cover. The Broncos walked into Autzen Stadium and legitimately made No. 2 Oregon sweat for four quarters.

Boise State led 17-14 at halftime and matched Oregon blow for blow until late in the game. The Broncos didn't turn the football over once, played disciplined football and forced Oregon to actually earn the win before the Ducks eventually escaped 34-27.

The most important takeaway for Oregon is Dante Moore.

If anyone wondered whether Moore belonged near the top of the preseason Heisman conversation, his Week 1 performance answered that pretty quickly. He completed 28-of-37 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Jeremiah McClellan exploded for 150 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Dakorien Moore added 93 yards and another score. Running back Jordon Davison rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on only 12 carries.

Oregon finished with 497 yards and averaged nearly eight yards per play, so I'm not panicking about the Ducks offensively.

The concern is that they allowed Boise State to dictate the feel of the game for long stretches. Boise quarterback Maddux Madsen only threw for 181 yards, but all three of his touchdowns came through the air and the Broncos kept themselves within one possession without needing some ridiculous turnover luck.

Boise State deserves a ton of respect for this performance. They lost.

But sometimes a loss tells you more about a team than beating an inferior opponent 55-7. Boise looked like a legitimate football team that could absolutely factor into the playoff conversation from the rebuilt Pac-12.

Oregon survives 1-0 and now goes on the road to Oklahoma State next week.

LSU Might Have Had the Best Performance in the Country

If there was one team that made me dramatically reconsider its ceiling Saturday night, it was LSU.

Lane Kiffin's debut started almost two hours late because Baton Rouge got absolutely drenched by rain and lightning. Once they finally played?

LSU murdered Clemson. 51-10.

This wasn't one of those games where the final score looked worse because Clemson turned it over five times and everything snowballed.

LSU dominated them.

The Tigers from Baton Rouge finished with 644 total yards compared with only 145 for Clemson. LSU ran 94 offensive plays, controlled the football for more than 36 minutes and rushed for more yards than Clemson had total offense.

Sam Leavitt immediately showed why Lane Kiffin wanted him so badly in the portal. His passing numbers were good rather than spectacular — 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception — but he absolutely destroyed Clemson with his legs. Leavitt rushed 12 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Dilin Jones added another 113 rushing yards and two scores, while Winston Watkins Jr. caught seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

LSU's defense might have been even more impressive.

Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina was held to 83 passing yards and threw an interception that turned into a defensive touchdown. Clemson averaged only three yards per play and didn't score its lone touchdown until the fourth quarter when the game had been over for hours.

That is concerning for Clemson. Very concerning.

This was supposed to be one of the marquee games of Week 1 between two programs with playoff aspirations, and Clemson looked like it didn't belong on the same field.

Meanwhile, LSU just jumped from “interesting Lane Kiffin team” to “we need to seriously discuss them as a national championship contender.” It is one game.

But if LSU can combine a Kiffin offense with a defense that plays anywhere near this level?

Good luck.

Ohio State Looked Exactly Like the No. 1 Team

No drama in Columbus.

Ohio State beat Ball State 56-3 and basically spent three hours flexing before next week's monster matchup against Texas.

Julian Sayin completed 21-of-25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, and Jeremiah Smith reminded everyone that he might simply be the best football player in the country. Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard score.

Ohio State finished with 671 total yards while limiting Ball State to 165. That is domination.

Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson each rushed for 83 yards, while the Buckeyes scored touchdowns through multiple quarterbacks and receivers after the starters exited. Their depth is ridiculous.

Obviously Ball State isn't Texas, and we learn infinitely more about Ohio State next Saturday in Austin.

But if your goal in Week 1 is to look clean, explosive and completely superior to an overmatched opponent, Ohio State checked every box. And Sayin-to-Smith already looks like one of the defining combinations of the 2026 season.

Arch Manning Starts His Heisman Campaign

Texas wasn't interested in drama either.

The No. 5 Longhorns crushed Texas State 59-7, scoring on eight of their nine offensive possessions while generating 516 yards.

Arch Manning finished 20-of-27 for 305 yards and four touchdown passes, matching his career high. He spread the football around to eight different receivers and looked exactly like the veteran quarterback Texas needs him to be.

Cam Coleman made his Texas debut and immediately showed why his transfer was such a big deal, catching three passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Wingo was even better statistically with seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. That's a nasty receiving duo.

Texas also forced three turnovers and controlled the game from the opening possession. The Longhorns don't get long to enjoy it.

No. 1 Ohio State comes to Austin next Saturday.

Sayin versus Manning. Jeremiah Smith versus Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo.

No. 1 versus No. 5.

That is basically a playoff game in September.

Indiana Doesn't Look Ready to Give the Trophy Back

Remember all the talk about Indiana possibly falling back to earth after Fernando Mendoza left? Josh Hoover apparently didn't get the memo.

The defending national champions beat North Texas 52-16, and Hoover looked immediately comfortable replacing the Heisman Trophy winner. The TCU transfer completed 13-of-16 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns without turning the ball over. He became only the second Indiana quarterback in the past 30 years to throw four touchdowns while completing at least 80 percent of his passes — Mendoza being the other.

Charlie Becker caught four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns, while Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh made one of the catches of the weekend for Indiana's first score.

The interesting part is that North Texas actually finished with slightly more total yardage, 367-365.

Indiana was simply far more explosive and efficient when opportunities appeared. That feels very Curt Cignetti.

Indiana isn't trying to win a preseason beauty contest. They're trying to win football games.

The Hoosiers are 1-0 and still look like a legitimate playoff team.

Notre Dame Pulls Away From Wisconsin

Wisconsin hung around for a half at Lambeau Field.

Then Notre Dame decided it was enough.

The game was tied 10-10 during the second quarter and Notre Dame only led 13-10 at halftime before exploding after the break to win 41-13.

CJ Carr looked composed in his season debut, completing 19-of-29 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Aneyas Williams handled the ground game with 90 yards and two touchdowns, and Notre Dame didn't commit a turnover all night.

The defense supplied one of the turning points when DeVonta McKinney intercepted Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph and returned it for a touchdown in the third quarter, turning what had been a competitive game into a runaway.

This is basically exactly what I expected from Notre Dame.

They are experienced, physical, well-coached and don't need Carr to throw for 450 yards every weekend. If he protects the football and makes enough explosive plays, everything else around him is good enough to carry Notre Dame deep into the playoff.

Ole Miss and Louisville Give Us the Game of the Weekend

Sunday night's best game was Louisville-Ole Miss.

No. 24 Louisville went into Nashville and gave No. 9 Ole Miss everything it could handle before the Rebels escaped 41-38 on a 48-yard field goal with three seconds remaining.

This game had everything.

Momentum swings.

Turnovers.

Huge touchdowns.

A fourth-quarter comeback.

And two quarterbacks who looked fearless.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 60 yards and a score. He did turn it over twice, but when Ole Miss needed him late, he delivered. After Louisville tied the game 38-38 with 1:28 remaining, Chambliss moved the Rebels into position for Lucas Carneiro's game-winning field goal.

Deuce Alexander was ridiculous for Ole Miss, catching five passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including two 62-yard scores.

Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz deserves just as much praise despite the loss. He threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, added 69 rushing yards and scored the touchdown that tied the game late. Louisville finished with 469 yards and didn't commit a turnover.

That is a loss you can actually feel pretty good about.

Louisville went toe-to-toe with the No. 9 team in the country and had a legitimate chance to win on the road.

Ole Miss survives.

Chambliss' Heisman campaign survives.

And I'm not dropping Louisville very far after that performance.

Miami's New Quarterback Looks Pretty Good

Miami had to replace Carson Beck.

Apparently Darian Mensah is going to be just fine.

Miami destroyed Stanford 45-6, with Mensah completing 27-of-30 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns in his Hurricanes debut.

Ninety percent completion. Five touchdowns. Four hundred yards. That'll play.

It was Stanford, so nobody needs to start booking Miami's hotel for the national championship game yet.

But we talked all offseason about whether Miami could successfully transition from Cam Ward to Carson Beck to another portal quarterback.

Mensah's first answer was basically perfect.

USC's Young Receivers Are Going to Be a Problem

USC opened Week 1 on Friday by shutting out Fresno State 39-0, and Jayden Maiava looked excellent.

He threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt both eclipsed 100 receiving yards. USC's defense also held Fresno State to only 116 total yards.

That defensive number might be the more important one.

Lincoln Riley teams being able to score has never been the question.

If USC can actually defend people?

Then the Trojans become extremely interesting in the Big Ten.

Georgia Was Bored by the Second Quarter

Georgia beat Tennessee State 63-3 and essentially treated the game like a controlled scrimmage after the first 20 minutes.

The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and led 28-0 after the first quarter.

Gunner Stockton was nearly flawless, completing 15-of-16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns before Kirby Smart pulled him. Nate Frazier started the season with a 48-yard touchdown run on Georgia's third offensive play.

Not much else to analyze here.

Georgia looked like Georgia.

Moving on.

Alabama's New Quarterback Immediately Shows the Upside

Alabama quietly had one of the more encouraging performances of the weekend, beating East Carolina 48-10.

Sophomore Keelon Russell got his first opportunity to take control of the offense after Ty Simpson's departure and immediately showed why Alabama has been excited about him. Russell threw for 256 yards and also led Alabama in rushing with 86 yards and a touchdown.

Every Alabama offensive touchdown came on the ground, and the defense absolutely destroyed ECU's rushing attack, holding the Pirates to only 22 yards.

We will learn much more next week when Alabama travels to Kentucky for its SEC opener, but Russell's athleticism gives Kalen DeBoer something very interesting to build around.

Penn State and Iowa Quietly Destroy People

Penn State beat Marshall 45-0.

Iowa beat Northern Illinois 40-0.

Neither game is going to lead SportsCenter, but both were quietly impressive.

Penn State entered the season as one of my favorite teams to outperform expectations because Matt Campbell inherited a roster with talent and an extremely favorable Big Ten schedule. Opening with a shutout is exactly what you want.

Iowa scoring 40 might actually be the more shocking headline.

Forget everything else.

Iowa scored forty points.

The Hawkeyes are officially an offensive powerhouse until proven otherwise.

We Also Got Multiple FCS-over-FBS Upsets Because Of Course We Did

Week 1 wasn't only crazy at the top.

Three FCS programs beat FBS opponents on Saturday alone.

Tarleton State beat Bowling Green 20-13, with Tylan Hines running for an absurd 250 yards on 26 carries.

The Citadel beat Charlotte 43-41 in triple overtime.

And Idaho State upset Utah State 29-17, intercepting Utah State quarterbacks four times. TreShawn Shorty personally picked off two passes.

Who Helped Their Heisman Case?

If we're doing Week 1 Heisman stock, several names immediately jump out.

Dante Moore might have had the most impressive performance considering the opponent. Boise State is legitimate, and throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns while digging Oregon out of an early hole matters.

Julian Sayin was basically flawless for Ohio State: 320 yards, three touchdowns and an 84 percent completion rate.

Arch Manning threw for 305 and four touchdowns.

Josh Hoover threw four touchdowns on only 16 attempts in his Indiana debut.

Trinidad Chambliss produced nearly 400 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in a ranked matchup.

Sam Leavitt might be the biggest riser because of what he did with his legs against Clemson.

And then there is Jeremiah Smith.

Eight catches.

151 yards.

Two touchdowns.

Sometimes the best player in college football doesn't need a complicated argument.

He might just be the best player in college football.

Biggest Winners of Week 1

LSU is No. 1 for me.

There is beating Clemson, and then there is humiliating Clemson 51-10 while outgaining them 644-145.

That changes expectations immediately.

Oregon also deserves credit because surviving is what championship contenders do. Boise State walked into Autzen ready to play and Oregon absorbed the punch.

Notre Dame looked exactly like the mature playoff contender it was advertised to be.

Indiana's transition from Mendoza to Hoover looked almost seamless.

And Texas and Ohio State both did exactly what they needed to do before playing each other next weekend.

Biggest Losers of Week 1

Rutgers is the easy answer.

Losing at home to UMass when UMass had lost 16 consecutive games is brutal.

Clemson is right there with them.

Clemson can recover because LSU is extremely talented and the ACC remains manageable, but you cannot get beaten 51-10 on national television and pretend nothing changed.

Michigan won, so technically they can't be the biggest loser.

But they're absolutely the team I'm most worried about among the ranked winners.

If Western Michigan can dominate possession, force three turnovers and take Michigan to the final second at the Big House, Oklahoma has to be licking its chops.

My Biggest Week 1 Takeaway

We spent the entire offseason debating Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Indiana.

Then Lane Kiffin showed up in Baton Rouge and basically said:

Don't forget about us. LSU is the biggest story coming out of Week 1.

Michigan is the weirdest story.

Rutgers is the most embarrassing story.

Boise State is the best team that lost.

And Ohio State-Texas is now perfectly positioned to become the first true heavyweight fight of the 2026 season next Saturday.

That's the beauty of Week 1.

For eight months, we make projections based on recruiting rankings, transfer portal grades, returning production and anonymous practice reports.

Then they actually play football.

And within about six hours, half of what we thought we knew goes straight into the garbage.