Recapping Week 1’s Five Straight Days of College Football

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season delivered five straight days of action, providing fans with a glimpse of what to expect this year. From standout performances to surprising results, the opening weekend offered plenty of insights into the season ahead.

Freshman Wide Receivers Live Up to the Hype

The buzz around this year’s freshman wide receiver class was more than justified. At Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith showed why he’s considered a generational talent, hauling in six passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama’s Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old phenom, burst onto the scene with two long touchdown receptions of 84 and 55 yards. Auburn’s trio of Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, and Perry Thompson all found the end zone in their debuts, while Texas’ Ryan Wingo led his team with 70 receiving yards. Iowa’s Reece Vander Zee also made a mark, becoming the first Hawkeyes receiver to catch two touchdown passes in a game since 2020.

CFP Takeaway: The ACC’s Playoff Hopes Rest on Miami

It was a tough start to the season for the ACC, with FSU losing to Georgia Tech and Clemson suffering a lopsided defeat against Georgia. With these early setbacks, Miami may be the conference’s best hope for a College Football Playoff berth. The Hurricanes need to dominate the ACC to secure a spot in the 12-team playoff field, where the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed a bid. So far, Miami looks like the only ACC team capable of making that leap.

USC’s Defense Shows Improvement

USC’s defense, a weak spot in recent seasons, took a step forward in their 27-20 victory over No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas. Under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, the Trojans’ defense showed more physicality, better tackling, and tactical aggressiveness. While they struggled to contain LSU’s passing attack (allowing 304 yards through the air), USC held the Tigers to just 117 rushing yards and made key stops when it mattered, including a fourth-down stop in the red zone and a game-sealing interception.

Penn State Could Be Ready to Make Its Move

Penn State’s 34-12 win over West Virginia showcased the Nittany Lions’ revamped offense under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Quarterback Drew Allar was particularly impressive, posting a QBR of 98.3 and throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns. The Nittany Lions, who have struggled against Ohio State and Michigan in recent years, may finally be ready to compete at the highest level this season.

Notre Dame’s Offense Gets a Confidence Boost

Notre Dame’s offense proved it could deliver explosive plays when needed, as the Fighting Irish secured a road victory against Texas A&M. Led by offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame’s offense displayed its potential with big plays in the second half, including long touchdown runs by Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. The Irish will need to continue generating chunk plays, especially in the passing game with quarterback Riley Leonard, as they aim to compete at the top level.

Tetairoa McMillan Shines in Arizona’s Big 12 Debut

Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan wasted no time in making his mark in the Wildcats’ first game as a Big 12 member. McMillan caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns, nearly breaking the conference’s single-game receiving yards record. His chemistry with quarterback Noah Fifita, a connection that dates back to middle school, was on full display as the Wildcats rolled to a dominant victory.

Clemson’s Struggles Go Beyond the Transfer Portal

Clemson’s 34-3 loss to Georgia was about more than just the gap between the Tigers and the nation’s elite. The game highlighted Clemson’s broader challenges, including an offense that managed just 189 total yards and a defense that was overwhelmed in the second half. While much has been made of Dabo Swinney’s reluctance to embrace the transfer portal, Clemson’s issues run deeper, as the program faces a significant gap between itself and college football’s top teams in 2024.

Cam Rising’s Return Provides a Boost for Utah

Utah’s victory over Southern Utah may not move the needle for the College Football Playoff, but it was a welcome sight to see quarterback Cam Rising back in action. Rising, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury, threw for 254 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes in his return. His performance was a promising sign for the Utes as they look to compete in the Pac-12 this season.

Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea Makes a Statement in Year Four

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea secured perhaps his most important victory in his fourth season, leading the Commodores to a 34-27 overtime win against Virginia Tech. Vanderbilt showed resilience, bouncing back from a 10-game losing streak to end last season. Lea’s offseason changes, including a new offensive coordinator and his decision to take over defensive play-calling duties, paid off as the Commodores outplayed the Hokies in all phases. Vanderbilt’s strong start sets the stage for a potentially promising season in the SEC.

FCS Teams Struggle Against FBS Opponents

The gap between FBS and FCS teams appears to be widening, as FCS programs went 1-60 against FBS opponents in Week 1. While there were a few close calls, including North Dakota State’s narrow loss to Colorado, most FCS teams were outmatched, losing by an average of 32.7 points. The transfer portal has made it increasingly difficult for FCS teams to compete, as they often lose their top players to FBS programs. As a result, the Cinderella stories of FCS teams pulling off major upsets are becoming increasingly rare.