The opening week of the 2026 college football season delivered a mix of fireworks and frustration, with LSU, Indiana, Miami and Massachusetts emerging as early bright spots while Clemson, Oklahoma State and Florida State stumbled.
Standout Performances
LSU’s 51‑10 victory over Clemson, delayed by inclement weather, showcased a commanding performance from quarterback Sam Leavitt and a defense that stifled the Tigers’ offense.
Indiana’s transfer quarterback Josh Hoover proved his worth, completing 13 of 16 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns against North Texas, a performance that underscored his ability to limit turnovers.
Miami’s newcomers made an immediate impact; Darian Mensah threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns while Malachi Toney broke the school’s receiving yards record with 234 yards and three scores in the debut against Stanford.
Massachusetts scripted a historic moment by toppling Rutgers, their first win over a power‑conference opponent, as Pop Watson delivered 19 of 22 completions for 197 yards and three touchdowns.
Early-Season Struggles
Clemson’s inconsistent play was highlighted by quarterback Christopher Vizzina’s pick‑six and a total of only 145 yards, a stark contrast to the team’s earlier dominance and a symptom of the broader quarterback turmoil under Dabo Swinney.
Oklahoma State’s 24‑10 loss to Tulsa exposed vulnerabilities on fourth‑down situations and forced starting left tackle Jacob Sexton from the game early, adding pressure ahead of their showdown with Oregon.
Florida State edged SMU 27‑24 despite a turnover margin of minus three, a slew of penalties and limited rushing production, marking the first such victory for the Seminoles in three decades, while a power outage that pushed the game past 9 p.m. compounded the coach’s mounting pressure.
The early-season narrative suggests that while some programs are poised for breakout years, others must address quarterback instability, injury concerns and situational execution to survive the rigors of the schedule.