The college football season is underway, with its grand opening weekend featuring a slate of games that include a Top 25 showdown between No. 24 Louisville and No. 9 Mississippi.
This initial weekend is marked by the presence of new coaches at several teams, the introduction of new player rosters, and considerable uncertainty surrounding player eligibility due to legal challenges.
The matchup between No. 11 Clemson and LSU was anticipated as a key game, particularly with new coaches Dabo Swinney and LSU's Lane Kiffin at the helm. The game's significance was amplified by the NCAA's new eligibility rules, which have faced legal opposition, impacting LSU's roster. The situation led to legal battles, including the SEC challenging LSU in court.
The article notes that Week 1 generally features fewer marquee matchups, predicting many lopsided results. Top-ranked teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma are heavily favored in their season openers. However, upsets have already occurred, with UMass defeating Rutgers and Colorado narrowly beating Georgia Tech.
Preseason Heisman Trophy frontrunners include Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Texas's Arch Manning. Carr faces Wisconsin in his opening game, while Manning and the Longhorns play Texas State. Ohio State is also expected to have contenders in QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith.
Other notable teams opening their seasons include No. 2 Oregon against Boise State, No. 23 Houston versus Oregon State, and an SEC-Big 12 crossover between Auburn and Baylor. Tulane's game at Duke also draws attention, with both programs having experienced coaching changes and roster turnover.
This opening weekend spans from Thursday through Monday night. Sunday's schedule includes a game between No. 17 Washington State and another between No. 4 Notre Dame and Wisconsin. The Labor Day finale features Florida State hosting No. 19 SMU.
The next AP Top 25 rankings are scheduled for release on Tuesday.