Five Things Feeding My Soul: College Football Week 1 Takeaways

College football is the game that feeds my soul.

It took the first full Saturday of the season, after the eight-FBS game teaser in Week 0 to remind us how unpredictable college football can be. Unexpected results, preseason under radar teams performing above expectations and high drama. All at the start of September.

From LSU's thrashing of Clemson to Michigan escaping a chastening opening day loss, there is more than enough to chew over, especially for the first in our new series, "Five Things Feeding My Soul".

I'll share my five key takeaways from the previous weekend's college football action over the new season, top games, performances, questions and storylines that have dominated college football headlines, with a nod to the unique traditions of this fantastic game, too.

Here's my thoughts on Week 1.

1. Lane, Leavitt and LSU look lethal

Lane Kiffin and Sam Leavitt made an instant impact in Baton Rouge (Image credit: The Athletic)

LSU’s 51–10 destruction of Clemson is the headline result. Lane Kiffin’s team looked like they were a month into the season, rather than a newly assembled roster taking first steps on opening day. LSU displayed the hallmarks of a explosive Kiffin offense with an aggressive defense led by the boundless energy of linebacker senior Whit Weeks. Clemson were held below 100 yards until the fourth quarter.

New LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played with a confidence and fluidity that LSU have missed since Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels were under center in Baton Rouge. While Leavitt completed 16 of 28 passes for 230 yards, it was his feet that caught the eye, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The Arizona State transfer will give SEC defenses a headache this season.

For Clemson, this was a humbling opening loss, the heaviest loss of Dabo Swinney’s 19-year tenure. Clemson, now reluctantly embracing the transfer portal, should take note of LSU's aggressive stance. The Baton Rouge version of the Tigers landed the best transfer portal class in the country. You have to wonder if Clemson, a programme that made six consecutive playoffs between 2015 and 2021, and won two national championships have fallen far enough for Swinney's seat to start getting warm.

2. Ole Miss is ready to move out of Kiffin’s shadow

Lucas Carneiro sealed a tight win for Ole Miss (Image credit: ESPN)

While Kiffin was making his statement win in Baton Rouge, his former team produced one of its own. No.9 Ole Miss traded blows with a game No.24 Louisville team and survived a surging Cardinals comeback to win 41–38 on Lucas Carneiro’s 48-yard field goal as time expired.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, two to the outstanding receiver Deuce Alexander for 159 yards and added a score on the ground. There will be concerns over the injury to running back Kewan Lacy and Pete Golding will be concerned about conceding 38 points, but the Rebels' late win demonstrated a resilience born from their former coach's acrimonious departure as well as a potent offense, and look good for a playoff spot on their second-half form.

Despite the loss, Louisville looked worth more than their No.24 preseason ranking and will be cheered by the performance of new quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. The Ohio State transfer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, adding 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Isaac Brown couldn't escape the clutches of a hungry Ole Miss defense. The Cardinals' star back, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry last season was held to just 36 yards.

3. Michigan's last second win was controversial - but the Wolverines' form is the bigger story

Michigan escaped an upset in the very last second. Image credit: David Guralnick/The Detroit News)

Michigan avoided its biggest upset loss since losing to Appalachian State in their 2007 season opener. The Wolverines pipped Western Michigan 13–12 after officials restored one second to the clock, allowing Bryce Underwood one last play to throw a game-winning 47-yard Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan.

Michigan's win and last-second heroics from their quarterback can't paper over the cracks of a desperately poor offensive performance. The Wolverines converted only three of ten third downs and committed some costly turnovers. Thankfully, their defense looks like a different proposition and held Western Michigan to four field goals.

Michigan have a lot of work to do before they host No.10 Oklahoma, who swept UTEP aside, 51-0. They don't have a second to lose.

4. The heavyweight contenders scored some big wins

Nine of the preseason AP Top 25 teams scored big wins. Ohio State beat Ball State 56–3, while the Buckeyes' opponents this Saturday, Texas, eased to a 59–7 over Texas State, Georgia thrashed Tennessee State 63–3 and Miami eased past Stanford, 45-6. Indiana extended their winning streak to 17 games with a 52–16 over North Texas. Notre Dame joined them on Sunday, pulling away from Wisconsin 41–13 after misfiring in the first half at Lambeau Field.

Oregon edged past Boise State (Image credit: Owen Burriss/The Daily Emerald)

Oregon was the exception. The Ducks needed a comeback to escape a very good Boise State team, 34–27. Dante Moore's performance will have encouraged Oregon. The returning quarterback threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, completing a 62-yard pass to Dakorien Moore to seal the win.

It's far too early to seriously determine which of the preseason favourites will truly contend until the bigger games come. Texas hosting Ohio State in Austin this weekend is about as big as it gets.

5. College football’s leading quarterbacks look like they can live up to the hype

Darian Mensah made a comfortable debut for Miami (Image credit: Thien-An Troung)

Darian Mensah, the Duke transfer threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns in his Miami debut. Julian Sayin showed his trademark accuracy, completing 84% of his passes, throwing 320 yards and three passing scores for Ohio State. Alabama freshman Keelon Russell, having beaten out Austin Mack for the starting job, accumulated 342 total yards, while Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns for Texas.

Sunday saw Trinidad Chambliss’s four-touchdown performance for Ole Miss and a composed second half from Notre Dame’s CJ Carr after a sluggish first half.

Georgia's Gunner Stockton is, sometimes unjustly, not perceived as a top quarterback, yet threw just one incompletion in sixteen passes with two touchdowns and 202 yards before being rested. Josh Hoover, stepping into the sizeable shoes of Fernando Mendoza at Indiana, ensired the Hoosiers' offense didn't skip a beat. The TCU transfer threw four touchdowns and 231 yards on 13-of-16 passing.

Final thought

It wouldn't be Week 1 without some statement upsets, so shout outs to UMass for a stunning 37-21 upset of Big Ten team Rutgers, who were a 29.5 point favourite. Tulsa repeated their upset win over Oklahoma State a year ago by beating the Cowboys 24-10 in what coach Eric Morris said "was the most embarassing performance I've ever been a part of."

Back to the headline games. Judging by their Week 1 performances, Kiffin's move from Ole Miss to LSU seems to be going uneasily well for both parties. Their Week 3 showdown in Oxford could be the game of the season so far.