Week one of the 2026-2027 college football season was marked with plenty of early season drama, and teams presenting themselves as clear contenders for the National Championship. These were three of the best matchups from week one.
- Western Michigan vs. #16 Michigan
Coming in as 28 point favorites, everyone expected the Michigan Wolverines to cruise to victory against Western Michigan. As expected, Michigan started fast and took a 7-0 lead on QB Bryce Underwood’s rushing touchdown. By halftime, Western Michigan made two field goals to make it 7-6, and Michigan’s offense struggled to score after their first drive. The Broncos continued to control the game in the second half, and Michigan failed to score in the third quarter. In the fourth, Western Michigan added another two field goals to make it 12-7. Then with Michigan down to 10 seconds on the final drive, Bryce Underwood launched up a hail mary as time expired, which landed incomplete. However, the referees determined that there was still one second left on the clock, so both teams went back out for one more play. On this play, Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan on a 47 yard touchdown to win the game 13-12. This game has been extremely controversial, as many people believe the game was over and Western Michigan was robbed of a win. Senior Matthew Volpe who was watching the game described, “I was absolutely outraged. Western Michigan won the game fair and square, and the refs cheated them out of a win.” This game will definitely be talked about for a while, as the ending was extremely controversial.
2. #24 Louisville vs. #9 Ole Miss
In the only game where two ranked teams faced off this week, No. 9 Ole Miss defeated No. 24 Louisville 41-38 in a back and forth thriller. Louisville opened the game with a field goal, but Ole Miss responded with a touchdown to take a 10-6 lead at halftime. Early in the third quarter, Louisville’s offense came out firing, scoring quickly while Ole Miss responded with two long touchdown passes to Deuce Alexander. The teams continued trading scores, and Louisville tied the game 24-24 heading into the fourth. Ole Miss then appeared to take control, building a 38-24 lead with 6:43 remaining. However, Louisville refused to quit, scoring two touchdowns and tying the game at 38 with just over a minute left. On the final drive, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led them down the field, setting up Lucas Carneiro for a 48 yard field goal as time expired, giving Ole Miss the 41-38 victory.
3. Clemson vs. #11 LSU
After a two hour weather delay, LSU dominated Clemson 51-10 in Baton Rouge. Clemson opened the game with a field goal, but LSU quickly took control when Dilin Jones scored a short touchdown run. LSU then extended the lead when Jordan Ross returned an interception for a touchdown, making it 17-3 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, quarterback Sam Leavitt added a rushing touchdown, and LSU went into halftime up 31-3. LSU continued to dominate in the second half with Leavitt and Jones leading a powerful rushing attack. Clemson struggled to move the ball and finished with only 145 total yards compared to LSU’s 644. Clemson eventually scored a late touchdown, but LSU easily finished the game with a 51-10 victory.
After a great week one, week two will also be amazing with great games such as Oklahoma vs. Michigan, and Iowa vs Iowa State. As Senior Matthew Stratton said, “the game of the year, Texas vs Ohio St. will be happening this Saturday.”
