Image – The Clemson Insider
After an interesting week 0 slate that saw the ACC succeed and the Mountain West disappoint, it is time for the real action in week 1. Bill Belichick and North Carolina avenged their loss to TCU in Dublin by the score of 15-12, Virginia dominated NC State 34-8 Florida State struggled past New Mexico State 34-17 and Stanford avoided the upset against Hawai’i, 37-27.
The headliner of week 0 was Memphis’ defeat of UNLV 27-21 behind a tremendous pass-rush and new head coach Charles Huff. The Tigers could be in position to make their first ever College Football Playoff appearance but there is still a lot of season left, and the Rebels and head coach Dan Mullen must think about that as they continue their season.
As we move to week 1, the entire country begins to play games. First, on Thursday night a new-look Georgia Tech team heads to Boulder to face Deion Sanders’ Colorado team. Then on Friday night, reigning national runner-up Miami will head to Palo Alto to face Stanford. Once Saturday comes, new head coach Alex Golesh and Auburn will attempt to defeat Baylor in Atlanta while the Lane Kiffin era will begin against Clemson amid all of the craziness in Baton Rouge with NFL players allegedly returning to play for the Tigers.
On Sunday, Notre Dame faces Wisconsin in Green Bay and Ole Miss plays against Louisville in Nashville. The Fighting Irish want to bounce back after barely missing the College Football Playoff in December and they will have a chance to do that when they begin against the Badgers. Pete Golding will begin his tenure in the regular season as head coach of the Rebels against a tough Cardinal team. Finally, on Monday, SMU will open ACC play at Florida State, who must be better against the Mustangs if they want to move to 2-0.
AP Top 5
No. 1 Ohio State This week: Ball State (Sept. 5, 11:30 a.m., BTN)
No. 2 Oregon This week: Boise State (Sept. 5, 2:30 p.m., BTN)
No. 3 Georgia This week: Tennessee State (Sept. 5, 2 p.m., SECN+)
No. 4 Notre Dame This week: Wisconsin (Green Bay; Shamrock Series) (Sept 6., 6:30 p.m., NBC)
No. 5 Texas This week: Texas State (Sept. 5, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Week 1 Slate:
*All game times are at central standard time*
Thursday, Sept. 3
Colorado at Georgia Tech
7 p.m., ESPN
Colorado will face off versus Georgia Tech on the road in Atlanta in a big ACC/Big 12 matchup. On Thursday, the Yellow Jackets will attempt to defeat the Buffaloes for the second consecutive season at 7 p.m. on ESPN with Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Chase Daniel (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter) on the call.
Colorado struggled to a 3-9 season that included only one win. To open the 2025 season, the Buffaloes lost to Georgia Tech by a touchdown and will look to avenge that loss on Thursday night. On the other hand, Georgia Tech is coming off a season where they won nine games overall and six in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets lost veteran quarterback Haynes King to the NFL and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and King’s backup Aaron Philo to Florida.
Colorado’s offense must be solved by ex-Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion, creator of the Go-Go attack, who takes over as coordinator of the unit for Sanders’ team. The Buffaloes’ Julian Lewis earned the starting job behind center and he will be throwing the ball to returners Joseph Williams, Zach Atkins, San Jose State transfer Danny Scudero, Texas transfer DeAndre Moore Jr., Miami (OH) Kam Perry and Alabama transfer Joseph Williams. There are a lot of question marks for new Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jason Semite’s secondary following the losses of their starters at corner and at safety. Transfers Jaylen Mbakwe and Jonas Duclona while returners Tae Harris and Fenix Felton will fill the safety roles and defend against Colorado’s loaded receiving core.
Damian Henderson II and Richard Young will stand by Lewis behind center and split carries. Yellow Jacket linebackers Kyle Efford, EJ Lightsey and defensive tackle Amontrae Bradford will be in charge of shutting down Henderson and Young from getting through and around their defense and down the field for touchdowns.
Georgia Tech’s new offensive coordinator is their former quarterback and veteran NFL assistant George Godsey. Replacing King at quarterback will not be easy but Indiana transfer Alberta Mendoza will get the role after spending last season backing up his brother Fernando. The focus of the unit will be more on running the football and controlling the ball with tailback Justice Haynes, who has previously spent time at Alabama and Michigan. Mendoza will likely rely on the only returning weapon on his offense, receiver Ethan Mackenny, who is back for his junior season.
Colorado’s new defensive coordinator is Chris Marve, who served in the same role at Virginia Tech, will hope his unit can shut down the new-look Yellow Jackets offense after a complete overhaul in Boulder to his unit. Tulane transfer defensive tackle Santana Hopper and Texas transfer linebacker Liona Leafu will lead the front six against the Haynes and Georgia Tech ground attack.
In the secondary, Tennessee transfer defensive back Boo Carter and Notre Dame defensive back transfer Cree Thomas will be in charge of guarding the GTU receivers and keeping Julian Lewis from having a big night in Atlanta.
After a 27-20 Georgia Tech win in Boulder to open the 2025 season, Colorado wants to avenge their loss and get a victory in Atlanta to start the 2026 campaign. With new-look staffs and rosters on both sides, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Mendoza and Lewis will battle it out but the Yellow Jackets will outscore the Buffaloes in a low-scoring game.
Projected Score: Georgia Tech 20, Colorado 17
Friday, Sept. 4
No. 7 Miami at Stanford (1-0)
8 p.m., ESPN
After falling in the national championship game last January, Miami opens the season against ACC opponent Stanford on the road. The Hurricanes and Cardinal will face off at 8 p.m. on ESPN on Friday with Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Dana Boyle (sideline reporter) on the call.
Miami won 10 games during the regular season but a five-team tiebreaker kept them out of the ACC Championship game. The Hurricanes were able to make the College Football Playoff team as the last at-large but to really put fans on notice this season, Mario Cristobal’s team needs to win the conference and claim a top four seed in the playoff.
After defeating Hawaii in week 0, Stanford will look to continue by defeating last season’s national runner-up to begin ACC play. It will not be easy, but at least pre-season AP top 10 ranked team has lost during week 1 the last few seasons and this could be that upset.
Darian Mensah is expected to be in the Heisman race as he attempts to lead Miami back to the College Football Playoff and a national championship this time. Mensah will get to throw to his Duke teammate Cooper Barkate, the talented Malachi Toney and hand it off to running back Mark Fletcher. Toney and Fletcher return alongside left tackle Matthew McCoy and they will look to dominate Stanford in their 2026 opener. Cardinal linebackers Gabe Kaminski (1.5 sacks) and Matt Rose (nine tackles) will attempt to build on their performances in the victory over Hawaii last Saturday.
Davis Warren completed 22-of-34 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown against the Rainbow Warriors. Warren will want to get his passes into the end zone more with his favorite target in week 0, Jonanthony Hall, who caught two passes for 81 yards. The Hurricanes return both of their cornerbacks from last season, Romanas Frederique Jr. and Xavier Lucas, so it will be tough for Warren, Hall and the Stanford passing game to succeed at a high level.
On the other hand, Cardinal tailback Micah Ford carried the ball 25 times for 99 yards and three scores. If Ford wants to remain the focal point of their offense, he will have to run through returners Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott, who lead the Miami line at the tackle spots alongside former Missouri end Damon Wilson II.
Cristobal’s Miami team is known for losing games to teams that they should not lose to but they can prove that is not true with a strong performance against Stanford. If the Hurricane offensive line gives Mensah time to throw to his receivers and Fletcher to run and their defensive line can get to Warren, forcing errant throws and getting sacks, UM can prove they are a national title threat again this season in a dominant victory.
Projected Score: Miami 35, Stanford 10
Saturday, Sept. 5
Baylor vs. Auburn (Atlanta; Aflac Kickoff Game)
2:30 p.m., ABC
Baylor and Auburn will meet in Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game on Saturday afternoon. The Bears and Tigers will kick off at 2:30 p.m. on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter) on the call.
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda begins a do-or-die season for his tenure. The pressure is on Aranda to deliver after a 5-7 season and it starts on Saturday afternoon against Auburn. The Tigers, who matched the Bears’ record at 5-7, will attempt to defeat Aranda’s team for the second consecutive season to open their 2026 slate.
Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will look to get a going at his father’s alma mater when he starts versus Auburn behind center. In addition, the Bears also replace their top four receivers, tight end, running back and four of five offensive linemen. Lagway will get to throw the football to receivers Louis Brown IV, Dre’lon Miller, Jadon Porter and tight end Matthew Klopfenstein. He will hand the ball to tailback Dawson Pendergrast, who missed most of last season with a foot injury.
DJ Durkin’s defense will rely on All-SEC linebacker Xavier Atkins to stop Lagway and the Baylor offense. Safeties Eric Winters, Sylvester Smith and AnQuon Fegans all return to the Tigers this season and they will be vital against Lagway’s passing attack. Durkin’s front, led by transfers Cody Sigler, Da’Shawn Womack and Nate Johnson will assist Atkins in shutting down Pendergrast and the BU rushing game.
Golesh’s offense is full of former South Florida Bulls, namely his quarterback Byrum Brown, center Cole Best and wide receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton and Jeremiah Koger. Brown will be tough to stop, especially because he has put up 3,000 passing yards in 2023 and 2025 but it will get more difficult as he enters the SEC and plays against schools like Baylor. Leading rusher Jeremiah Cobb will be the featured back next to Brown and he will be backed up by former Bear back Bryson Washington, who faces his former school in the opener.
Baylor defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman takes over play-call duties from head coach Aranda and stopping an offense with Brown behind center and Cobb alongside him will not be easy. The Bears will hope that Indiana transfer Hosea Wheeler, Marshall transfer Jamaal Whyce Jr. and returner Devonte Tezino can get to Brown and sack him. Cornerback LeVar Thornton Jr. Devin Turner and Jacob Turner will help stop pass catchers Nimrod, Singleton and Koger from catching passes down the field from Brown.
With Auburn’s and Baylor’s programs going in opposite directions, the Tigers should open the Golesh era with a win, despite a solid effort from Lagway and the Bear offense. Auburn will take care of Baylor in Atlanta by 10 points.
Projected Score: Auburn 24, Baylor 14
Clemson at No. 11 LSU
6:30 p.m., ABC
Clemson will attempt to avenge their season-opening loss to LSU from last season, this time in Baton Rouge. ESPN’s College Gameday will be in town in the morning for before Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut against Dabo Swinney’s Clemson team face off. Kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m. on NBC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) and Laura Rutledge (sideline reporter) on the call.
After returning almost everybody from an ACC Championship team a season ago, expectations were high for Dabo Swinney’s Clemson team. However, the Tigers started the season 3-5 and they limped to a 7-6 finish, Swinney’s worst record since 2010. As Clemson begins the 2026 season, they will walk into a hornet’s nest in Baton Rouge as the Kiffin era begins. After much of the news has been focused on NFL players returning to play for the Tigers, the focus must be on the field for LSU as they return to the field.
Swinney rehired Chad Morris as his offensive coordinator this off-season. His new starting quarterback will be Christopher Vizzina, who spent time as Cade Klubnik’s backup. Gideon Davidson and SMU transfer Chris Johnson Jr. step in at running back next to Vizzina. Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive end Princewill Umanmielen, who followed Kiffin from Ole Miss, should be guys you see get in the backfield to shut down Vizzina, Davidson and Johnson.
If Vizzina can avoid Weeks and Umanmielen in the pocket, he can get the ball to returning wide receivers, Bryant Wesco Jr., TJ Moore and tight end Olsen Patt-Henry, who all returned to the Tigers for their third collegiate season. Cornerback DJ Pickett, who should be the heir apparent to Mansoor Delane, who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the NFL Draft, will lead the secondary alongside safety Tamarcus Cooley against the Tigers’ group of offensive weapons.
Kiffin’s quarterback Sam Leavitt stepped into his and Charlie Weiss’ offense for the first time as he continues to deal with effects from getting foot surgery from an injury he suffered while he was still at Arizona State last season. Leavitt should succeed in Weiss’ scheme with Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton protecting him at left tackle and with Florida transfer wide receiver Eugene Wilson III and returning tight end Trey’Dez Green to throw to. On the other hand, the Tiger ground game must improve with returners Harlem Berry and Caden Durham splitting time at running back.
Clemson will have a difficult offense to defend against on Saturday night. Seven transfers, including former Penn State corner Elliott Washington II, former Colorado end London Merritt, former Southern Miss safety Corey Myrick and former Old Dominion safety Jerome Carter III join three returning starters. End Will Heldt, middle linebacker Sammy Brown and corner Ashton Hampton will lead the Tigers against Kiffin’s attack that will lean on their passing game, especially the Leavitt to Wilson and Green down the field. If LSU can be successful, that should open up the ground game but Tom Allen’s defense must be able to stop it because if they can’t they could drop the season opener in back-to-back seasons to the Bayou Bengals.
LSU and Clemson should go back-and-forth to begin the game in the first half, but it will be the LSU defense that shuts down Vizzina and Morris’ offense. Leavitt will lead the LSU offense to success in the second half and the Kiffin era will begin on a high note amid the NFL craziness going on in Baton Rouge.
Projected Score: LSU 27, Clemson 17
Sunday, Sept. 6
No. 6 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay; Shamrock Series)
6:30 p.m., NBC
After barely missing out on the College Football Playoff in 2025, Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame will want this season to start off with a bang as they open up with Wisconsin in Green Bay. The Fighting Irish square off with the Badgers on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. on NBC with Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst) and Caroline Pineda (sideline reporter) on the call.
After a 10-2 record was not enough to continue their season to the playoff, Freeman’s team must focus on starting well so they do not have a repeat of last December. The Fighting Irish have a strong roster back and it should be enough to defeat Wisconsin. The Badgers’ 4-8 overall record that only included two wins in the Big Ten must improve for Luke Fickell to continue building his program in Madison. The new-look roster for Wisconsin will have an uphill battle against Notre Dame but they must start the season strong if they want to contend in the Big Ten.
Without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price in the backfield, all eyes will be on Heisman hopeful quarterback CJ Carr. All three of Carr’s starting receivers, Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse and Micah Gilbert were on the roster last season so the Fighting Irish’s passing offense should be even better than it was a season ago. Wisconsin senior strong safety Matthew Jung will lead the Badger secondary against Notre Dame’s strong aerial attack.
Junior Aneyas Williams and freshman Nolan James Jr. will do the impossible job of replacing Love and Price at tailback. The good news for Williams and James is that they will get to run behind an offensive line with returning starters Ashton Craig, left guard Anthonie Knapp and right tackle Guerby Lambert. Wisconsin inside linebacker duo, Cooper Cataland and Mason Posa, two sophomores, will want to shut down the Fighting Irish rushing game to prevent Williams and James from setting up the passing game for Carr.
The Notre Dame defense has eight starters returning for coordinator Chris Ash’s second season in charge. On the line, tackle end Boubacar Traore, tackle Jason Diye and inside linebacker Drayk Bowen will attempt to get in the backfield and tackle running backs Abu Sama III and Darrion Dupree.
The Fighting Irish return one of the best secondaries in the country and that is because safeties Adon Shuler, Brauntae Johnson and nickleback Christian Gray are all back for Ash’s defense for another season. Shuler, Johnson and Gray will look to shut down the Badger passing game, led by Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, who will want to get the ball to receivers Chris Brooks Jr., Jaylon Domingeaux, Tyrell Henry and tight end Emmett Bork.
Following the Notre Dame game, the schedule breaks favorably for Wisconsin. But even if the Fighting Irish don’t play their best game, the Badgers are not going to win this game, even if it is not in South Bend. Notre Dame may start slow but they will dominate Wisconsin in the second half to move to 1-0.
Projected Score: Notre Dame 35, Wisconsin 14
No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville (Nashville; Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff Game)
6:30 p.m., ABC
Ole Miss takes on Louisville in a major ACC/SEC battle in Nashville’s inaugural Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff Game. The Rebels will take on the Cardinals at 6:30 p.m. on ABC with Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline reporter) on the call.
Ole Miss’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals was entertaining but can they continue it under head coach Pete Golding in his first regular season game and beyond? The Rebels won a program-record 13 games in 2025 and are capable of reaching similar heights this season. Louisville went 9-4 and won four games in the ACC in 2025. The Cardinals are capable of making the playoff under head coach Jeff Brohm, who enters his fourth season as head coach.
Trinidad Chambliss has been ranked by many as the top quarterback in college football entering the season but many believe that is because he played in Charlie Weiss’ offense. Chambliss’ tailback Kewan Lacy also succeeded in Weiss’ offense a season ago and the tandem led Ole Miss to their best season in program history. In John David Baker’s offense, Chambliss, Lacy and a new group of receivers have to prove they can succeed at the same or a similar level against a Louisville defense that they cannot overlook.
All-ACC selection Clev Lubin and North Carolina transfer Tyler Thompson will be important on the edges of the Louisville defensive line against Chambliss and Lacy. Linebackers TJ Capers, Stanquan Clark and Anton Watts will assist Lubin and Thompson up front against the Rebel ground attack and help cornerback Tayon Holloway against Chambliss, who will be throwing the football to an almost all new receiving core.
Despite Kiffin’s exit, Golding was able to retain five players that started on his defense during the 2025 season. Both corners, Jaylon Braxton and Antonio Kite return. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Keinholz will start his first game for Louisville against Ole Miss. Keinholz had limited opportunities in Columbus but his athletic ability and arm should help Louisville get points, especially when he passes the ball to returners Treyshun Hurry, Lawayne McCoy and Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson, who shined catching passes from Diego Pavia last season.
Linebacker Suntarine Perkins, tackle Will Scholes and end Kam Franklin will lead a front that is coordinated by both Bryan Brown, Marcus Woodson with Golding’s fingerprints still all over it. Louisville running game. Cardinal running back Isaac Brown is one of the nation’s best so it will not be easy for Perkins, Scholes, Franklin and others to stop him from getting down the field.
The Ole Miss-Louisville game should go back and forth for much of the 60 minutes of regulation and maybe even go to overtime as the best matchup of week 1. The battle between the Chambliss/Lacy and Keinholz/Brown backfield should be phenomenal. But because Chambliss and Lacy have already been together for a season, the Rebels should have the edge over the Cardinals in Nashville.
Projected Score: Ole Miss 34, Louisville 27
Monday, Sept. 6
No. 19 SMU at Florida State (1-0)
6:30 p.m., ESPN
An important ACC battle between nationally ranked SMU and Florida State will conclude week 1 of college football on Labor Day. The Mustangs collide with the Seminoles at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter) on the call .
SMU had a strong 2025 season that included nine wins overall and six in the ACC. The Mustangs will have to play Florida State on the road but their roster, led by six returning starters, should be capable of going into Doak S. Campbell Stadium and getting a victory. Florida State, who opened the 2026 season last Saturday by defeating New Mexico State, must start ACC play on a high note with a win against SMU if they want their head coach, Mike Norvell, to remain in Tallahassee beyond this fall.
SMU returns Kevin Jennings at quarterback but not much else on its offense. Left tackle PJ Williams and right guard Addison Nichols are the only players that returns as starters next to Jennings so the new additions that will be playmakers for the Mustangs will have to step up, especially with expectations that they could make it to the ACC Championship game. Jennings options at receiver will be Jalen Cooper, Yamir Knight, who both step into a starting roles, and transfer Jalen Hale. Florida State linebacker Mike Gbayor, who led the Seminoles with one sack against New Mexico State last weekend, will hope for a similar performance against the Mustangs.
California transfer Kendrick Raphael and returner Dramekco Green form a solid duo at tailback for SMU behind an offensive line full of veterans. FSU defensive back Ashlynd Barker led his team in tackles against the Aggies with eight. If he can get similar production against Raphael and Green when they make plays and stop Jennings from getting the ball down the field to his receivers, the Seminoles can upset the Mustangs.
The SMU defense needs to be better after up and down play last season cost them a shot at the ACC Championship game and another College Football Playoff appearance. The strength of the unit should be returning linebackers Alexander Kilgore, Brandon Booker and Brandon Miyazono. If someone can step up on the pass rush, the Mustang front should be able to get to Florida State signal-caller Ashton Daniels, who went 17-for-27, threw one touchdown and one interception in the Seminoles’ victory against New Mexico State.
While the SMU front attempts to stop Seminole running back Ousmane Kromah from another fantastic performance, after carrying it 14 times for 115 yards and a score against the Aggies last Saturday, the Mustang defensive backs, led by returning corners William Nettles and Marcellus Barnes Jr., will look to stop Daniels from moving the ball down the field. A wide receiver has not emerged for the Seminoles yet this season and the Mustangs will look to keep it that way.
Tallahassee should be buzzing for a big Labor Day showdown for Florida State to open ACC play against nationally ranked SMU. If the Seminoles show up like they did last Saturday against New Mexico State, the Mustangs may make the necessary plays to easily move past them. Norvell has to have his team ready against SMU if they want to win this game. The Seminoles may start out the game well but the Mustangs will outlast the Seminoles and start 1-0.
Projected Score: SMU 28, Florida State 17
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