The opening week of college football delivered drama from Ann Arbor to Baton Rouge, with Michigan surviving a close contest against Western Michigan thanks to a 47‑yard game‑winning strike from Bryce Underwood as time expired.
In a contrasting showcase, LSU rolled past Clemson 51‑10, and sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt, who had transferred from Arizona State, impressed with a poised performance in his first start.
The SEC continued its reign of dominance, posting a flawless 16‑0 record across its slate of games, while Ole Miss barely escaped an upset at home against Louisville.
Miami’s Hurricanes exploded for a 45‑6 victory over Stanford, a performance anchored by Malachi Toney’s 234 receiving yards and three touchdowns, which included a memorable Heisman Trophy pose that captured national attention. Quarterbacks Darian Mensah and Jayden Maiava combined for 750 yards and eight touchdown passes, underscoring the Hurricanes’ offensive firepower.
Poll Insights
The US LBM Coaches Poll reflected the week’s upheaval, with Ohio State collecting a record 50 first‑place votes to sit atop the rankings, while Clemson fell out of the poll entirely. Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Oregon and Miami also garnered notable first‑place votes, and Louisville, Illinois and Boise State received additional votes.
Overall, the early season landscape is already shifting, as the combination of surprise victories, standout individual performances and the SEC’s perfect run sets the tone for a compelling remainder of the schedule.