Weeeeeeee’re Back! - Week 1 CFB review
(Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
The college football season never fails to deliver drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. Each weekend, teams battle it out on the gridiron, producing epic showdowns, jaw-dropping upsets, and heroic performances that keep fans on the edge of their seats. As we dive deeper into the season, the stakes only get higher, with every play, every decision, and every game carrying weight for the road ahead.
This past weekend was no different, filled with everything from last-second touchdowns to unexpected breakout stars. Whether you’re here to catch up on the action you missed or to relive the best moments from the games you watched, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down the biggest stories, highlight standout performances, and look ahead to what’s next. Here’s your comprehensive recap of all things college football from this weekend:
Game of the Week: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
Wow. Wow. Wow. As a life long Notre Dame fan, I couldn’t get my hopes for this game. I was too scarred from Miami, Georgia, and Ohio State of years past. In a raucous environment, Notre Dame looked like the bigger, stronger, faster, and better coached team. That has never been my experience. In fact, many times they become a laughing stock for the nation. Now? On a Tuesday? The entire nation is hyping them up after an absolute rock fight.
Sure, A&M might be a little overrated. However, they are still a supremely talented team with a Coach who is going to lead them to success. I have to give it to Kyle Field too. After always thinking that the stadium was overrated, that fan base and fan experience held up. It was a LOUD environment that has all the ability to mess with a teams psyche.
Yet, Notre Dame, with all of 6 starts on the offensive line stepped up to the plate and made the plays that mattered most.
3 things stood out to me from this game.
Marcus Freeman is THAT guy.
In his 3rd year, it was easy to have questions on what his coaching ability is. There have been a few missteps along the way, but as with players, coaches can grow. And he has. I have watched this clip of him leading the team out into the field no less than 50 times. I would run through a brick wall for him. That’s a leader of men.
2. Notre Dame grew up in the second half.
The offensive line had it’s struggles throughout the first half. It was not surprising given the stakes and the competition. Half-time adjustments were going to be the key. The Irish came out ready in the second half and ran for 198 yards on the evening. Fantastic performance.
3. I’m nervous.
I’m not used to Notre Dame hype and positivity. I don’t like where this is heading. As it was said in Ted Lasso, “It’s the hope that kills you.”
Upset of the Week: Vanderbilt
Hands up if you were secretly on the Virginia Tech hype train.
I should have known better, but as a kid from the mid-2000’s, Va Tech has a special place in my heart. I just want them to be good again, is that too much to ask?
On the other hand, what a fantastic victory by Vanderbilt. Their season has the potential to be ROUGH, but this changes the entire prospective of what they can do.
Look at the remaining schedule:
Can they get to 5 wins and then upset someone to become bowl eligible? I think so. It’s all because of the dollar general version of Johnny Manziel. Diego Pavia. Everytime I looked at the screen he was out of the pocket making some magic happen. And then when he scored? It was celly time.
I won’t act like I am going to tune into Vanderbilt a ton this season, but they were a fun watch on Saturday.
Under-the-Radar Game of the Week Texas Tech - ACU
This game was going on during the night set and it was so under the radar that I didn’t realize that Texas Tech went to OT vs an FCS school until the next day. Now that’s under the radar.
It was the perfect 10 minute YouTube watch. 52-51 final score, 1100 total yards of offense, a QB with 500 yards passing. That’s a great Texas shootout.
Biggest Storyline of the Weekend: What is dead may never die….
I literally wrote this with Florida State in mind and then they got the absolute brakes beat off of them on Monday night. Anyways the point stands. In years past, you lose one game and suddenly it feels as though your season is done. Even if it was during week one, from that moment on every game was life or death. In the 12 team playoff era though, my attitude towards that is completely different. A loss doesn’t carry as much weight as it once did. I believe that is both good and bad. I love the live and die nature of college football, but I can breath a lot easier as a fan.
It will be fascinating to see how that mentality plays out in the coming months. Will it hold true or do conference games take on a whole new level of meaning?
Breakout Team of the Week: Penn State
I could not have been more wrong about the Penn State and West Virginia game. Penn State looked fantastic. It didn’t matter if it was offense or defense, both sides came out ready to make a statement. I knew the defense was going to be dangerous, Abdul Carter is an absolute animal, but the offense was what really spoke to me.
After all of the Drew Allar hype, did we see him take a step this weekend? Sure he only went 11-17 but the biggest thing that stuck out was that he looked calm. That’s a big step after last year.
The 12 team playoff really helps Penn State. Can James Franklin get over the hump?
Honorary mention: USC
Player of the Week
As a Sun-Belt Truther, I knew Boise State was in for a war against Georgia Southern. Boise is a hot pick to be the G5 representative for the playoff, that almost went up in smoke on week 1. But then comes Ashton Jeanty to save the day.
All he does is run for 267 and 6 touchdowns. No big deal.
That’s a man who can carry his team to the Mountain West title.
Stat Line of the Week: Tetairoa McMillan
The only reason McMillan didn’t get a tie for player of the week is because of Jeanty’s playoff stakes.
This is a hilarious stat line.
Play of the Weekend:
My jaw dropped.
Block that made me giggle: Treveon Henderson
What a freaking block.
Can that guy be a Heisman?: Cam Ward.
I have not been tuned into the Cam Ward experience whether it was at Incarnate Word or Washington State. If this is what every week is like, then sign me up.
There are few teams more fun when they are good than Miami. Nobody likes them, but gosh dang it are they a good villain.
Miami being “back” is a fantastic heisman campaign.
Look Ahead to Next Week
Texas vs Michigan - No doubt game of the week. Can Michigan show they are still a threat? Can Taxas make a statement?
Iowa State vs. Iowa - What a gross game. I love it.
Coastal vs. Bill and Mary - 90% sure I will be attending this game.
Tennessee vs NC State - Two teams that could make some noise in their respective conferences. Great early season test.
Boise state vs Oregon - Talented G5 vs. a P4 contender. This has the potential to be very fun.