What We Learned This Weekend – Week 1

A few questions that existed before the season began were answered during the long holiday weekend. Here are five that resolved themselves:

Like it or not, LSU is Legit

Since Lane Kiffin’s hire, LSU gradually established itself as the nation’s enemy. However, anyone hoping to see the Tigers faceplant on Saturday night at home against Clemson was greatly disappointed. LSU was able to successfully navigate all the off-the-field chaos that surrounded them during a 51-10 pummeling of Clemson. Better competition is on the horizon, with Ole Miss and Texas A&M on the schedule in September, but the Tigers did more than enough to prove themselves as a threat in the SEC and nationally.

This Will be An Awkward Season for Dabo Swinney

With how the last couple of seasons have gone for Dabo Swinney, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Clemson was embarrassed at LSU on Saturday night. And that is part of the problem. In what may have been his last opportunity to bring the Tigers back to national relevancy, Clemson fans will now have to suffer through a middling season. To make it worse, along the way, they’ll have to listen to Swinney give archaic responses to questions regarding the transfer portal, NIL and the state of modern college football.

Michigan Will Once Again Disappoint

I didn’t have much hope for a Michigan rebirth this season, but I also didn’t expect them to need a miracle to beat Western Michigan at home. That doesn’t bode well for the remainder of their season, with games remaining against Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon and of course, Ohio State. New head coach Kyle Whittingham didn’t give a glowing endorsement of quarterback Bryce Underwood on Monday, which should bring some hope to Michigan fans, but considering the backup is true freshman Tommy Carr, it is difficult to see an offensive transformation this season for the Wolverines.

Miami May Be Better Than Last Season

It was difficult to envision Miami not being very good this season. That is both due to the high level of talent on their roster, and the lack of depth and talent in the ACC. However, after their 45-6 thrashing of Stanford in Palo Alto on Friday night, it is quite possible that the Canes will be better than last year’s version, which ended with a loss in the National Championship game. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah played like a Heisman Trophy contender, as did wide receiver Malachi Toney. And the defense, which suffered several key losses to the NFL Draft, already looks rebuilt with players like Marquise Lightfoot, Keona Davis and Armondo Blount looking like future stars.

Despite Loss, Boise State is CFP Contender

For whatever reason, Boise State hadn’t been mentioned very often as a contender for the G5 College Football Playoff spot. On Saturday, despite a loss at Oregon, they proved that they are one of the top teams in the Group of Five. They matched up physically and kept pace deep into the fourth quarter before falling short 34-27. As the season progresses, don’t be surprised if the Broncos performance turns out to be better than than many of the Ducks’ Big Ten opposition. Before Boise State begins their PAC 12 schedule, they have very interesting games against two other G5 contenders, Memphis (9/12) and at Western Michigan (9/26), which should further shape the G5 CFP race.