College Football Week 1: Chaos, Close Calls and Two Games We Won’t Forget
By: Nate
September 2026
College football is back, and Week 1 wasted absolutely no time reminding everyone why this sport is so unpredictable.
The opening week of the 2026 season featured dominant performances, huge upsets, thrilling finishes and two games that will probably be talked about for a long time: Michigan's unbelievable escape against Western Michigan and SMU's wild Monday-night victory over Florida State.
From blowouts like LSU's destruction of Clemson to close games between ranked teams, Week 1 gave fans a little bit of everything.
Caption: College football returned with an action-packed stadium for week 1
Michigan 13, Western Michigan 12: The Craziest Finish of Week 1
If you watched only one game from the opening weekend, it was hard to beat Michigan vs. Western Michigan.
The No. 16 Wolverines entered the game as heavy favorites and were expected to begin the season comfortably. Instead, Western Michigan nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in school history.
For most of the night, Michigan struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Western Michigan controlled the ball for more than 40 minutes and held the Wolverines to just 276 total yards. Michigan also turned the ball over three times.
Bryce Underwood had a difficult night for much of the game, completing 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Michigan's running game wasn't much better, with Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter combining for only 59 rushing yards.
Western Michigan took advantage of Michigan's struggles and appeared to have done enough to win.
Then came the final seconds.
The Hail Mary
Michigan trailed 12-7 with the clock apparently reaching zero. Underwood threw a desperate Hail Mary toward the end zone, but the pass initially appeared to fall incomplete.
Western Michigan's players celebrated.
Michigan fans were stunned.
For a moment, it looked like one of the biggest upsets of the weekend was official.
Then the officials reviewed the play.
After the review, one second was put back on the clock. Michigan got another chance.
On the next play, Underwood launched another pass into the end zone, and wide receiver J.J. Buchanan came down with a 47-yard touchdown.
Michigan won 13-12.
The Big House erupted as fans rushed onto the field.
The ending was so unusual that it immediately became one of the biggest stories of the college football weekend. (AP News)
Caption: J.J. Buchanan catches the game-winning Hail Mary as Michigan escapes Western Michigan.
What the Game Means for Michigan
Although Michigan got the victory, the Wolverines have plenty to fix.
The defense allowed Western Michigan to control possession for more than two-thirds of the game, while the offense struggled to consistently move the ball. Michigan's three turnovers also kept the Broncos in the game.
At the same time, there is something important about surviving a game like this.
Michigan got a win.
The Wolverines avoided what would have been a disastrous opening-night loss, and Underwood showed tremendous composure when the game was on the line.
Still, Michigan will need to play much better if it wants to compete with the best teams in the country.
And it won't have much time to wait.
SMU 27, Florida State 24: A Game That Started in the Dark
If Michigan–Western Michigan was the wildest finish of Week 1, SMU–Florida State might have been the strangest game.
The No. 19 SMU Mustangs traveled to Tallahassee for an ACC matchup with Florida State on Monday night.
The game was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
It didn't.
A major power outage hit Doak Campbell Stadium before kickoff, forcing both teams back into their locker rooms. The problem was eventually traced to an electrical issue involving the stadium's main transformer.
Kickoff was delayed until approximately 9:15 p.m.
Even after the game finally began, things were far from normal.
The stadium operated without several of its usual technological features, including coach-to-player communication, sideline iPads, the public-address system and the scoreboard. (Reuters)
Caption: A power outage delayed the SMU–Florida State game for more than an hour.
Then the Football Started
Once the teams finally took the field, the game turned into a shootout.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings put together an incredible performance. He completed 26 of 36 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns.
The Mustangs repeatedly attacked Florida State's defense with big plays through the air.
Florida State, however, refused to go away.
The Seminoles leaned heavily on their running game, with Ousmane Kromah rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Ashton Daniels added 71 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Florida State even forced four SMU turnovers.
Despite all of those opportunities, the Seminoles couldn't quite finish the upset.
Caption: Kevin Jennings threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns in SMU's win.
The Final Minutes
The game was tied 24-24 late in the fourth quarter.
SMU drove deep into Florida State territory and eventually set up a short field goal.
With just 25 seconds remaining, SMU kicker Noah Reed knocked through a 20-yard field goal.
SMU led 27-24.
Florida State still had one final opportunity.
Ashton Daniels moved the Seminoles down the field and appeared to give them a chance to tie or win the game. With only seconds remaining, Daniels scrambled for 34 yards.
But on the ensuing play, Florida State attempted a lateral that ended with a fumble recovered by SMU.
Game over.
The Mustangs escaped Tallahassee with a 27-24 victory. (Yahoo Sports)
The Rest of Week 1
Michigan and Florida State weren't the only teams involved in memorable games.
LSU 51, Clemson 10
One of the biggest statements of the weekend came from LSU.
The Tigers absolutely dominated Clemson, winning 51-10 and piling up 644 total yards.
It was an extremely rough night for Clemson, while LSU immediately looked like one of the teams capable of competing near the top of the SEC.
The loss was also the most lopsided defeat of Dabo Swinney's head-coaching career. (AP News)
Caption: LSU made one of the biggest statements of Week 1 against Clemson.
Oregon 34, Boise State 27
No. 2 Oregon had to work much harder than expected against Boise State.
The Broncos jumped out to an early lead, but Oregon eventually fought back.
Quarterback Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, including a huge 62-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore late in the fourth quarter.
Oregon escaped 34-27 in another exciting matchup between the two programs. (Reuters)
Caption: Oregon survived a serious challenge from Boise State.
Ole Miss 41, Louisville 38
Another thriller came Sunday night in Nashville.
No. 9 Ole Miss defeated No. 24 Louisville 41-38 in a game that came down to the final seconds.
Louisville tied the game at 38 with less than two minutes remaining, but Ole Miss moved into field-goal range.
With only three seconds left, Logan Carneiro hit a 48-yard field goal, giving Ole Miss the victory.
It was one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend. (PFF)
Caption: Ole Miss survived Louisville on a last-second field goal.
Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13
Notre Dame had little trouble against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
The Fighting Irish pulled away after halftime and scored 28 points in the second half.
Quarterback CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes, while running back Aneyas Williams rushed for two touchdowns.
Notre Dame's defense also made a major impact, including a pick-six in the third quarter.
Caption: Notre Dame dominated Wisconsin in the historic Lambeau Field matchup.
Miami 45, Stanford 6
Friday night produced another dominant performance.
No. 7 Miami crushed Stanford 45-6, with quarterback Darian Mensah throwing five touchdown passes.
Wide receiver Malachi Toney was nearly impossible to stop. He caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, immediately putting his name into the early Heisman conversation. (AP News)
Caption: Miami opened the season with a dominant performance against Stanford.
The Blowouts
Not every game was a thriller.
Several ranked teams completely controlled their Week 1 matchups.
Ohio State defeated Ball State 56-3, with quarterback Julian Sayin throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns.
Indiana, the defending national champion, defeated North Texas 52-16.
Texas dominated Texas State 59-7.
Georgia defeated Tennessee State 63-3.
Alabama handled East Carolina 48-10.
Penn State shut out Marshall 45-0.
And Iowa shut out Northern Illinois 40-0. (Reuters)
These games weren't nearly as dramatic as Michigan or Florida State, but they showed that several of the country's top teams are already looking like serious contenders.
Week 1 Winners and Losers
🏆 Biggest Winner: LSU
A 51-10 victory over Clemson is about as impressive of an opening statement as a team can make.
⭐ Biggest Individual Performance: Kevin Jennings
Jennings' 430 passing yards and three touchdowns powered SMU to a huge road victory.
😱 Craziest Finish: Michigan
A second chance at a Hail Mary followed by a 47-yard touchdown is almost impossible to script.
⚡ Biggest Surprise: Western Michigan
The Broncos came within one play of knocking off No. 16 Michigan in Ann Arbor.
🌑 Strangest Game: SMU–Florida State
A power outage, delayed kickoff, limited stadium technology and a 27-24 thriller made this one unforgettable.
What We Learned From Week 1
The biggest lesson from the opening week is simple:
Don't assume anything in college football.
Michigan was supposed to cruise and nearly lost.
Oregon was expected to beat Boise State and had to fight until the end.
Florida State was the underdog against SMU but had a real chance to win.
Meanwhile, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas and several other contenders looked dominant.
That's what makes college football so entertaining. Every Saturday brings new questions, and sometimes the games don't go anything like the predictions.
Week 1 gave us dramatic finishes, superstar performances, controversial moments and games that lasted well into the night.
And if the first week is any indication, the 2026 season could be one to remember.
Caption: Week 1 delivered everything college football fans could have asked for — and the season is only getting started.
