Week 1 college football: Michigan win amid controversy, Clemson struggles
Week 1 featured a disputed Hail Mary victory for Michigan and a poor performance by Clemson, raising questions about officiating and coaching stability.
Michigan secured a 31-30 win over Western Michigan after a last-second Hail Mary pass, but the outcome sparked criticism of the officiating and replay process. Western Michigan, which led most of the game, felt the decision denied the program a historic victory.
Clemson fell 31-3 to LSU, recording negative rushing yards and prompting speculation about head coach Dabo Swinney's future. Analysts noted the Tigers' difficulty adapting to recent changes in college football, including the transfer portal and name-image-likeness rules.
Indiana's quarterback Josh Hoover impressed in his debut, while Boise State came close to upsetting No. 2 Oregon. Oregon managed a narrow win, continuing a pattern of early-season challenges followed by improvement.
Notre Dame rallied after a tight first half against Wisconsin to demonstrate championship potential, though the team still needs to develop its running game.
Lane Kiffin, after a dominant win over Clemson, reiterated his focus on player development rather than public approval, hinting at a possible return to Ole Miss.
The week also highlighted several Heisman candidates, including players from Miami, USC, Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame, as well as the SEC's continued success against LSU.