Week 1 of the college football season delivered several notable upsets and strong performances from ranked teams. The biggest shock came from Florida State's 31-17 victory over Alabama, marking a significant statement win for the Seminoles. Other major upsets included South Florida's dominant 34-7 win over Boise State and Miami's 27-24 victory over Notre Dame. Ohio State handled Texas 14-7 in a marquee matchup, while LSU edged Clemson 17-10 in another high-profile contest.
FCS teams largely struggled against FBS competition, with most suffering lopsided defeats, though a few kept games competitive. Power conference teams generally took care of business against lesser opponents, with blowout victories common throughout the slate. The 12-team playoff format adds intrigue to early season results, as teams ranked in the top 12 have already secured their postseason positioning, though maintaining those spots will require consistent performance throughout the season. Several Group of Five programs like UNLV and South Florida made strong early impressions with convincing wins.