Ohio State has had an impressive run, defeating top teams such as Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in their last five games. Notably, two of these victories came against the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. Despite this strong performance, coach Ryan Day's program has only held the No. 1 ranking once during this stretch, which was after their 2024 national championship win. In a thrilling matchup against No. 1-ranked Texas on Saturday, the Buckeyes showcased their commitment to winning football, a game that could very well be a precursor to the national title showdown.
In this game, quarterback Julian Sayin made his debut start, although his numbers were not particularly flashy. The running game faced challenges, raising questions about Jeremiah Smith's slow start to the season. However, the Buckeyes excelled in critical moments, executing two significant goal-line stands, achieving a crucial interception, and showcasing a dominant fourth-down defense that limited Texas to just one successful conversion out of five attempts. The message from Day to his team and the young quarterback was straightforward: just win. And win they did.
Week 1 result: Defeated Texas, 14-7. Julian Sayin became the first quarterback to win in his debut against an AP No. 1-ranked opponent since 1984. The Buckeye defense shone, needing only 215 total yards for victory.
Week 1 result: Defeated Montana State, 59-13. Oregon's balanced offense, featuring 253 yards rushing and 253 yards passing, led to a total of 507 yards in their victory. Quarterback Dante Moore had a stellar debut, completing 18 of 23 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 1 result: Defeated Marshall, 45-7. Gunner Stockton accumulated 263 total yards and four touchdowns in his first start, while transfer Zachariah Branch made a significant impact with three catches for 95 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown.
Week 1 result: Defeated Clemson, 17-10. In a notable win on the road, Garrett Nussmeier threw for 230 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
Week 1 result: Lost to Ohio State, 14-7. The Longhorns faced challenges offensively, converting just one of five fourth-down attempts. Quarterback Arch Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Week 1 result: Defeated Notre Dame, 27-24. Miami's well-rounded performance saw their defense excel while quarterback Carson Beck, a Georgia transfer, looked promising, potentially leading the Hurricanes to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Week 1 result: Defeated Nevada, 46-11. Penn State's defense was formidable, forcing three turnovers and recording three sacks. USC transfer Kyron Hudson made an impact with six catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Week 1 result: Lost to LSU, 17-10. The four-game losing streak against SEC opponents raises concerns for Dabo Swinney’s program, which is expected to compete for the national title.
Week 1 result: Defeated Illinois State, 35-3. Quarterback John Mateer made headlines with a record-setting debut, completing 30 of 37 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns.
Week 1 result: Lost to Miami, 27-24. Despite promising plays from first-time starter CJ Carr, the Fighting Irish struggled against Miami's defense, particularly in protecting their star player, Jeremiyah Love.
Week 1 result: Defeated Old Dominion, 27-14. Running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black combined for over 200 rushing yards, contributing to Indiana's victory and their strong performance under head coach Curt Cignetti.
Week 1 result: Defeated New Mexico, 34-17. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showcased his potential with 251 passing yards, supported by running back Justice Haynes, who rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 1 result: Defeated Syracuse, 45-26. Quarterback Joey Aguilar led a high-scoring game, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a decisive victory.
Week 1 result: Defeated Georgia State, 63-7. With a dominant performance, running back Kewan Lacy rushed for over 100 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 341 yards.
Week 1 result: Defeated Central Arkansas, 61-6. Former Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula excelled with 348 total yards and four touchdowns in a resounding win.
Week 1 result: Defeated Western Illinois, 52-3. Aidan Laughery rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant performance against the Leathernecks.
Week 1 result: Defeated Virginia Tech, 24-11. After a tight game, the Gamecocks pulled away with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown and a striking 64-yard touchdown pass.
Week 1 result: Defeated Alabama, 31-17. The Seminoles' impressive start puts them in contention for the ACC title and the College Football Playoff.
Week 1 result: Defeated South Dakota, 55-7. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns, leading Iowa State into their next matchup with an undefeated record.
Week 1 result: Defeated UTSA, 42-24. Marcel Reed threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a solid victory, despite some defensive challenges.
Week 1 result: Defeated Long Island University, 55-0. The Gators established themselves with a commanding win, leading their FCS opponent by 38 points at halftime.
Week 1 result: Lost to Florida State, 31-17. This loss marks a concerning trend for a program that has historically thrived under pressure.
Week 1 result: Defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 67-7. A diverse offensive strategy saw contributions from multiple players, highlighted by Cameron Dickey’s performance.
Week 1 result: Defeated Northern Arizona, 38-19. Sam Leavitt threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns, showing promise for the Sun Devils' season.
Week 1 result: Defeated East Texas A&M, 42-13. The Mustang defense excelled with two pick-sixes, while Kevin Jennings threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns.
For more in-depth analysis and updates on college football, follow RJ Young, a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports, on social media at @RJ_Young.
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