After a long offseason filled with lawsuits and nonsense, Week 1 offered an oasis of football. And of course, the highest game of the evening centered on the most famous coach in college football: Lane Kiffin at LSU.
But while LSU came away with a massive 51-10 victory, they were far from the only storyline of the weekend. A new generation of underclassmen signal-callers established themselves, and the wide receivers might be even better. Hot conditions around the country made for some hilarious visuals, especially with inflated scores.
On the field, UMass provided one of the biggest upsets of the past few seasons, picking up the program’s first win over a Power Four opponent. The stars were out and about, putting up big numbers and swinging games.
Here are the biggest winners and losers of Week 1 heading into primetime.
Loser: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney
Coming off a disappointing season and heading into a hornet’s nest, expectations were unbelievably low. Really, all Clemson had to do was remain competitive and look like they belonged on the field. They were 10-point underdogs, but LSU had a brand new roster to work through.
Instead, it went just about as unbelievably bad as it could possibly go. Lane Kiffin absolutely obliterated Dabo Swinney in a 51-10 final. Clemson’s only first-half points came after a tipped ball interception on the first drive of the game. Nine of the next 10 drives ended in punts; the other was an interception. The Tigers had fewer than 100 yards entering the fourth quarter.
If Swinney’s seat wasn’t already blazing, now it is. On Oct. 3, Clemson plays against No. 7 Miami. If the team can’t look more capable by then, the Tigers may seriously have to consider moving on from Swinney.
Loser: Replay refs
Look, there’s a chance that the officials had a different view, a different clock, something. But to the rest of us out here, the final second added back in Michigan’s stunning Hail Mary win against Western Michigan was absolutely inexplicable. Screenshots of the clock seem to confirm that time had run out on the clock, which cost WMU one of the biggest upset bids of the 21st Century. The Broncos will still be plenty competitive in the MAC, and they showed the upside of contending for the Group of Six’s playoff spot. But a win over Michigan would have been a heck of a silver bullet.
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Winner: Young quarterbacks
A number of underclassman quarterbacks got on the field for the first time in Week 1, and there were some encouraging signs. Alabama’s Keelon Russell showed off impressive arm and legs with 342 total yards and a touchdown in a 48-10 win over East Carolina. Tennessee got an explosive 294 total yards and five touchdowns from Faizon Brandon, the top recruit in the 2026 recruiting class.
Florida’s Aaron Philo also had a great debut in a 66-21 win over FAU. In his first game as the full-time starter, Texas Tech’s Will Hammond completed his first 14 passes and threw for 298 yards in a win over Abilene Christian. There will be plenty of greater tests ahead, but the next generation of signal-callers is off to a good start.
Loser: Pushup form
Like many mascots, Kansas State’s Willie Wildcat does pushups after every score. Following a 71-3 win over Nicholls, Willie was understandably exhausted. Their pushup form may have suffered a little. Star quarterback Avery Johnson scored four touchdowns in the win in a perfect tuneup spot.
Not to be outdone, LSU’s cheer team was also seen struggling on the sideline while doing their push-ups after the Tigers took a 51-3 lead in the fourth quarter. It adds up!
Winner: Heisman hopeful receivers
Could this be the year of the wide receiver in college football? If Week 1 is any indication, we’re in for a special run. Miami sophomore Malachi Toney got things started on Friday night with a school record 229 yards to go with 11 catches and three touchdowns in a 42-6 win over Stanford. Not to be outdone, consensus WR1 Jeremiah Smith was otherworldly, posting eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first half — against Ball State.
In his Texas debut, wide receiver Cam Coleman had two touchdowns with teammate Ryan Wingo adding 121 yards. USC freshman Trent Mosley also added his name to the list of great national receivers with his second straight 100-yard game to start his career. That doesn’t even count Rutgers‘ KJ Duff (9 catches, 196 yards, 3 TDs), Oregon’s Jeremiah McClellan
The sport has been moving in the direction of great wide receivers for years, and 2026 could be the best year yet.
Loser: Oklahoma State
Expectations were high for the Cowboys after one of the highest-profile offseasons in the Big 12. Oklahoma State imported the core players and brain trust from North Texas, including five-star transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker and No. 1 transfer running back Caleb Hawkins. And yet, Week 1 looked an awful lot like the disaster of last season.
Oklahoma State lost a stunning 24-10 game against Tulsa, dropping to the Golden Hurricanes for the second straight season. That marks the first losing streak to Tulsa since 1952. Mestemaker was thoroughly outplayed by Tulsa quarterback Baylor Hayes, and the defense allowed a 29-yard touchdown rush to put the game away in the fourth.
First-year coach Eric Morris imported more than 90 new players to Stillwater in his first offseason. Clearly, the transition will come with growing pains.
Winner: QB Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh
Heintschel was one of the most impressive freshmen in America to close last season, and coach Pat Narduzzi promised to get him some help. In a 59-14 performance against Miami (Ohio), Heintschel was unbelievably impressive. The sophomore set an ACC record with seven touchdowns and added 453 yards through the air.
All seven of his touchdown passes were to different receivers, led by Cataurus Hicks‘ 114 yards. Offensive coordinator Kade Bell has finally convinced Narduzzi to embrace the passing game, and the Panthers have a star in the making.
Loser: Oregon’s defensive line
The Ducks have been a popular national championship pick after returning a bevy of elite starters, especially along the defensive line. Defensive tackles Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington are both potential All-Americans, and edge rushers Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei are potential first-rounders. But against Boise State, the unit just didn’t make an impact.
Statistically, the unit recorded three sacks against opposing quarterback Maddux Madsen, but the Ducks were unable to take control of the game defensively. Half of the Broncos’ last eight drives ended in points. If Oregon is going to contend with the national elite, its defensive line has to be the best unit on the field.
Winner: USC defense
Gary Patterson spent a few years away from coaching after he was let go at TCU. But after a slow finish in Week 0 against San Jose State, Patterson decided it was time to flex his muscles.
USC held Pac-12 contender Fresno State scoreless in a dominant 39-0 victory. The Trojans allowed only 116 total yards and 1.3 yards per carry, an unbelievably strong performance for a once-maligned defense. Four different USC players recorded sacks, with safety Kennedy Urlacher recording a pair.
The Trojans are heading into a make-or-break season under Riley after landing the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Bringing the strong-minded Patterson aboard was a risk, but his defensive aptitude is off the charts. If the unit can be a top-level Big Ten unit, USC is a playoff contender.
Loser: Bowling Green
Bowling Green’s matchup with FCS power Tarleton State was always projected as a close game — the Falcons were only 2.5-point favorites heading in.
But in addition to losing a 20-13 matchup, Tarleton’s dominance stood out. BGSU allowed 250 yards to running back Tylan Hines, and surrendered 464 yards of offense overall in a sputtering start to the season. To Tarleton’s credit, the Texans have now beaten FBS opponents in back-to-back seasons. They’re becoming a serious power at the FCS level.
Winner: UMass
Calling UMass a winner for its magical 37-21 win over Rutgers is the understatement of the century. No team had won as 29-point underdogs since the beginning of the 2024 season. The Minutemen were on a nation-leading 16-game losing streak, including every game under second-year coach Joe Harasymiak.
Instead of wallowing, UMass came out and punched Rutgers right in the mouth. After giving up a touchdown drive to open the game, the Minutemen scored 30 unanswered points, including three touchdown passes from breakout quarterback Pop Watson. Who knows if the performance was a fluke and the clock will strike midnight, but two straight FCS opponents and transitioning Sacramento State sets up a pretty sweet start to the schedule.
Could we see bowl-eligible UMass? Give Harasymiak my national coach of the year vote if he does!
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