To me, indisputably the most impressive win of the opening weekend of the college football season. A thorough beat down of a top-10 Michigan team on a neutral field by an Alabama team that suffered heavy personnel losses from its national title team of a year ago. Yes, the Tide are rolling again . . . no more warnings necessary.
My preseason No. 1 really didn't do anything to lose the ranking; Alabama did everything to seize it. A fine overall start to the season by the Trojans, with sophomore WR/KR Marqise Lee putting on an absolute show with his receiving skills and a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. Off to the East Coast to take on Syracuse in the stadium that houses the NFL's Giants and Jets.
Easy opener for head coach Les Miles' Tigers, and new QB Zach Mettenberger's arm was not needed in this one as RBs Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue both broke the 100 yard barrier. The Washington Huskies visit this week, and their fine QB Keith Price will not be rattled by the surroundings, but all-star DEs Sam Montgomery and KeKe Mingo will be sure to put his poise and vision from the pocket to the test.
They may not have risen in my poll, but the Ducks put on a show Saturday night, didn't they? Redshirt freshman QB Marcus Mariota showed why he was selected over the dynamic Bryan Bennett, and RB/KR De'Anthony Thomas continues to have us searching for superlatives. This Oregon team will have a full say about not just the Pac-12 title, but the national title as well
Opened with overmatched Murray State but did what teams with big-time aspirations do, and that was to throttle the Racers. DE Bjoern Werner had four sacks, but there is cause for concern as starting DE Brandon Jenkins was lost for the season with a foot injury. Poor Savannah State (lost 84-0 at Oklahoma State) comes to town for another tuneup before FSU begins to take on teams that may be able to fight back