Kim O’Reilly, CBS Sports
College football is so back, baby. We hoped and prayed for thrillers in Week 1, and got them, but we also were treated with several disappointing performances from teams many expected to contend for spots in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
It’s difficult gauging teams after Week 1, particularly in this new era. Teams are adjusting to new coach-to-player helmet communications (did anyone notice how many teams had issues?) and many have new quarterbacks and coaches on the field. Still, Michigan and Oregon coaxed sideway glances after struggling to put away weaker opponents.The Clemson of 2024 looked just like the Clemson of 2023, and that’s terrible news for Dabo Swinney. Up the road, ACC contender NC State needed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put away FCS Western Carolina.
USC and LSU proved to be the game of the week, with two elite quarterbacks duking it out before Miller Moss led a game-winning drive at the final minute. The big news out of Las Vegas: Both teams improved their defenses with off-season hires, so there’s still reason for excitement in Baton Rouge.
Week 1 was also Retro Week. USC, Notre Dame and Miami stole the spotlight with impressive wins. The sport is healthier when the villains are on a roll, particularly on the road. Notre Dame lived up to the preseason hype with a gutty win at Texas A&M. Miami terrorized Florida in The Swamp, mocking the beloved Gator chomp in the end zone, and Cam Ward twisted the knife more when he downplayed the crowd noise.
The big dogs in the Big 2 continue to reign supreme. The Big Ten…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-power-rankings-notre-dame-ole-miss-in-top-five-as-clemson-nears-exit-after-week-1/
Author : Brandon Marcello
Publish date : 2024-09-03 15:37:59
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