College Football Week 1 Recap: How LSU’s Victory at Clemson Rescued the SEC from a Rocky 2025 Start

Week 1 of college football is often deceiving. While it’s easy to want to draw big conclusions from just one game, it’s risky. Many teams don’t show their true colors right away.

Last Saturday was not kind to the SEC. No. 9 LSU snapped its five-game losing streak in Week 1, but the day could have been worse. Texas, starting the season ranked No. 1 for the first time, faced off against No. 3 Ohio State and lost 14-7. The Longhorns were slight underdogs, but the way they lost raised eyebrows.

Quarterback Arch Manning, a favorite for the Heisman, struggled. He looked inexperienced and held onto the ball too long. Although he made a few impressive throws, he didn’t seem ready for the big stage. His offensive line didn’t help much either, failing to perform against Ohio State’s revamped defense. They even struggled on short-yardage plays near the goal line.

Meanwhile, No. 8 Alabama was a 14-point favorite against Florida State but lost 31-17. This defeat was concerning, especially since Alabama missed the playoffs last year. The defense struggled against Florida State’s offense, which could easily exploit weaknesses. The Crimson Tide’s rushing game was weak, gaining only 74 yards on 29 attempts. Florida State rolled through Alabama’s defense with 230 rushing yards, marking Alabama’s first Week 1 loss since 2001.

This year, it seems the SEC’s reputation could take a hit. With only LSU securing a win, teams like Alabama and Texas face tough roads ahead in the playoffs. The selection committee tends to favor teams with strong schedules, so both will have chances to make statements later in the season.

However, a single loss can sting, especially when it comes to making the postseason. Winning a couple of big games later on might not be enough if they can’t recover quickly from these setbacks.

On a brighter note, the American Athletic Conference had a killer start. South Florida crushed Boise State 34-7, putting them in a solid playoff position. Tulane also shined with a win over Northwestern, boosting their chances too. This could mean we see a team from the American in the playoffs by season’s end.

For individual performances, Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy made headlines with a record 63-yard field goal, showing that standout moments can happen even in tough games. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar shined in his debut, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns against Syracuse.

However, not everyone was so fortunate. Boise State’s playoff hopes took a major hit. Their three fumbles and failed attempts on fourth down against South Florida put them in a precarious position. Army also suffered a blow with a double overtime loss to Tarleton State, and Colorado regretted missed opportunities in their defeat against Georgia Tech.

In short, while Week 1 can be misleading, it sets the stage for an unpredictable season. With ups and downs for many teams, it’ll be interesting to see how things unfold in the coming weeks.

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Florida State, College Football Playoff, SEC, Boise State, The Longhorns, Alabama, Ohio State, Arch Manning, Tennessee, Ty Simpson, Haynes King