Week 1 of College Football Was Not What We Wanted

College football is back, baby! After Week ... um ... zero ... we were treated to a full weekend of games. Some Thursday night games, several on Friday, a big slate on Saturday, three games on Sunday and Monday Night Football. I only wish that the powers that be in college football put the best foot forward.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE SECOND

Every week of college football has that one main headline coming into Monday. In Week 1, that headline is about how the Big Ten refs found an extra second to put on the clock. If you are reading this, you likely already have an opinion on the ending of that game but it isn't the best look when a Michigan 13-12 win over Western Michigan on a Hail Mary is the storyline coming out of the first week of the season. This game was ugly, poorly played, poorly officiated (even before that final review) and was uninteresting to everyone aside from possibly seeing a major upset -- or seeing an improbable final play.

WHERE ARE THE GOOD GAMES?

Remember in past season openers we had these awesome matchups between non-conference teams from different parts of the country? What happened in 2026? The "game of the week" was Clemson at LSU, and that was mainly due to all the energy and chaos that surrounds Lane Kiffin. Not only did people forget Clemson was playing in that game, Clemson forgot they were playing in that game. They didn't show up at all and were blasted in the signature time slot for college football (more on that in a bit). 

The only game between ranked teams hasn't happened yet: that will be Louisville vs Ole Miss in Nashville tonight. No offense to those two programs, but is anyone clamoring for that matchup? I'm looking forward to it, but it's no Texas-Ohio State like we had last year. Louisville will be just the second ranked team to play on the road this weekend. Miami was the first when they blew out Stanford, 45-6, on Friday. SMU will be the third when they travel to Florida State on Monday. The only three ranked ACC were able to go on the road while none of the mighty SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 decided to do so. 

Of the 21 ranked teams to have played this week, they won by a total of 744 points -- that is an average of 35.4 points. We were treated to the best teams in the nation smacking around schools like: Arkansas Pine Bluff, Tennessee State, Texas State, Missouri State, Abilene Christian, Utah Tech, Furman, and Clemson.  There are a couple really good games next week, but not that many.  The schedule makers need to be better.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT DABO

Clemson was routed at LSU. Sure, most likely every other FBS school would have went into Death Valley and lost last night to a great LSU team with all that was surrounding it ... and many of them would have been blown out. But this is Clemson, a program that a decade ago was trading blows with Nick Saban's Alabama teams at their peak and coming out with some knockouts. A program that was looked at as the dominant force in the ACC and one that could become the next big thing in football. 

Last night, they lost 51-10 to LSU, and it wasn't that close. Last year, they lost 17-10 at home to an LSU team that would eventually finish 7-6 and fire their coach. Clemson finished 7-6 on the season and Dabo Swinney keeps going. The year before that, Clemson lost 34-3 to Georgia in the season opener. That Clemson team snuck into the College Football Playoff by winning the ACC title game. In 2023, Clemson lost 28-7 to Duke in the opener. They did beat Georgia Tech in the 2022 opener, but lost 10-3 to Georgia at the start of the 2021 season. 

Clemson has lost 5 of its last 6 openers -- but kudos to them for typically scheduling a great opponent in those games. The Tigers have been sinking lower and lower on the national food chain and lower and lower in an ACC that they used to dominate. We all know what Dabo Swinney has accomplished at Clemson and there should be a statue in front of the stadium and quite a few buildings named after him, but his time as a coach running a top level program may be over. This not only isn't up to the standard we all have for Dabo and his program ... this isn't up to the standard he set for himself. The rest of their schedule isn't daunting, aside from hosting Miami on October 3rd, so there could be a way the Tigers claw back to competing for the ACC crown. However, nothing we saw on Saturday night says that they could make it through a season with road trips to Cal, Florida State, Syracuse and Duke, and home games against North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and the finale against rival South Carolina without suffering another 3 or 4 losses. 

Clemson could be entering the Tommy West/Tommy Bowden phase of their program is significant changes aren't made. From 1994 to 2008, those two coaches led Clemson to zero ACC championships, zero 10-win seasons, and 8 years where they won 7 or less games. 

WHO IMPRESSED ME THE MOST?

Miami. I figured they'd be a strong contender for an ACC title, but really weren't a power on the national stage. They looked strooooooong at Stanford on Friday night

WHO DISAPPOINTED ME THE MOST?

Michigan. Not only that they needed a fortunate review for them to beat Western Michigan on a Hail Mary (the Wolverines were a 27-point favorite), but the fans at the standium and online acted like they won the national championship. 

GAMES I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT WEEK

Ohio State at Texas
Oklahoma at Michigan
Missouri at Kansas
Alabama at Kentucky

Sportz Assassin's 2026 NFL Predictions

Every year I try to do this. Every year I get some things right and every year I get some things wrong.  So here we go again!

NFC EAST: 1-Eagles*, 2-Cowboys, 3-Giants, 4-Commanders

I just think the Eagles are the best team in this division. Despite some of the drama that comes out of Philly, this is a really good team at their best and disappointing at their worst. The Cowboys offense will continue to be potent, but can this new defense be just good enough to keep games winnable. At the bottom is the Giants and Commanders. I'm not big on either this year -- the Giants are building something but their three top offensive players have injury questions. I think it takes Harbaugh a year to get this thing turned around. As for the Commanders, that offensive line took a big hit with Tunsil out and I don't think they're capable of keeping Jayden Daniels clean.

NFC SOUTH: 1-Buccaneers*, 2-Panthers, 3-Falcons, 4-Saints

You really never know in this division, so I'm just defaulting to where I think the talent lies. I do think the Bucs are the top team and organization in this division and believe they take their NFC South crown back from the Panthers. The Panthers are a decent threat to repeat, but I just don't think they will be able to replicate their strong finish of 2025. The Falcons continue to be a mystery of some great talent that is being held back by poor QB play. The Saints time is coming, just not this year. 

NFC NORTH: 1-Lions*, 2-Bears*, 3-Vikings, 4-Packers

The one division where I can see every team capable of winning the division ... and I mean that in a great way. All four possess the talent and coaching to make it happen, and all four have some red flags to why they could finish in last place. I have the Lions because, well, I just have that feeling. This team should have gone to the Super Bowl three years ago, had the best record two years ago, and last year was this weird wonky mess. I think it's cleaned up now. The Bears won't repeat because they won too many games by the skin of their teeth and we may see a small slide back down. The Vikings were mediocre last year behind some of the worst QB play in the league. Not that Kyler Murray is a savior, but he's certainly good enough to lift this team up into playoff contention. The Packers have some serious issues, namely Micah Parson's health and Josh Jacobs' off-field issues that keep them at the bottom.

NFC WEST: 1-Rams*, 2-Seahawks*, 3-Niners, 4-Cardinals

This division houses the best two teams in the NFL and we get a treat late in the season when the Rams and Seahawks play twice in the final three weeks of the regular season. Simply put: the Rams have the best roster in the league. The Seahawks are one of the most slept on defending champs ever. They get to fight it out for the division and maybe we'll see them fight it out for the NFC title. The Niners (stop me if you've heard this before) have too many injury issues to really contend at the top. The Cardinals are ... bad.

AFC EAST: 1-Bills*, 2-Patriots*, 3-Jets, 4-Dolphins

The Bills hit the reset button a bit to try to maximize Josh Allen's prime. Will this finally be the year Buffalo breaks through to a Super Bowl berth? The Patriots are really good, but I think they get knocked down a peg. They benefitted from a light schedule last year, including getting some fortunate luck in the AFC playoffs. Add in the Mike Vrabel off-season saga and there just seems to be too much baggage to repeat. The Jets and Dolphins are bad, but Miami seems to be filling the "worst team in the league" shoes. The Jets are bad, too, but not as hopeless as what's going on in South Florida.

AFC SOUTH: 1-Texans*, 2-Jaguars, 3-Colts, 4-Titans

The Texans defense is just so damn good that I have to think they'll win this division. I'm also betting on CJ Stroud being a little bit better this season with so much doubt surrounding him. I really want to have the Jags win this division, but I just cannot trust Trevor Lawrence enough to think he can repeat his improved 2025 season. But if there is a team who I think could be much stronger than I am predicting, it is Jacksonville. I have the Colts third because I really don't trust having QBs coming off major injuries. The Titans are trying to build this thing up for their new stadium next season. For now, we just get to enjoy their Oilers-styled jerseys.

AFC NORTH: 1-Ravens*, 2-Bengals*, 3-Steelers, 4-Browns

The North is tough, but I think the new coaching regime rejuvinates Lamar Jackson to have another MVP calibar season. This is a really good team that hopefully realizes how good it is and show us in January.  I'm putting my faith in Joe Burrow staying healthy and getting back to the playoffs after a three year hiatus. This offense is just too good and the Bengals finally added just enough defense to keep things from getting out of hand. The Steelers finally get their losing season. The Browns actually have some talent on this team, but no Myles Garrett and this rancid QB situation doesn't do it for me.

AFC WEST: 1-Broncos*, 2-Chargers*, 3-Chiefs, 4-Raiders

To me this is a Broncos-Chargers race and I will default to the Broncos defense as the key to winning the division. It is that elite. I am (cautiously) super high on the Chargers. I think Mike Mcdaniels taking over the offense will finally unlock Justin Herbert and this offense and they will take the next step in their future. If it doesn't happen now, when will it? I think we are officially at the end of the Chiefs Chapter 1. This roster just isn't good enough to contend for a Super Bowl and Patrick Mahomes is coming off a big injury. He will show flashes of his old self, but this franchise needs to do some house cleaning and point towards 2027. The Raiders will win some games they shouldn't, but this is a slow burn year towards getting Fernando Mendoza ready for next season. 

SUPER BOWL: I have the Rams and Bills in the Super Bowl. LA wins, 27-20

Other predictions:

*Shane Steichen, Aaron Glenn and Dan Quinn could be seeing their last years with their current teams.

*The Cardinals, Browns, Colts, Vikings, Jets and Steelers will be actively looking outside their organizations for new QBs. 

*The team that could be the best surprise? Commanders.

*The team that could greatly disappoint? Lions.