Week 1 of college football is often a gamble—brimming with excitement but fraught with pitfalls. While explosive plays and thrilling upsets can paint a vibrant picture for the season ahead, the reality is that drawing firm conclusions from just one weekend of games can lead to misguided expectations.

For the SEC, Saturday started off rocky but was salvaged by No. 9 LSU, who broke their notorious five-game Week 1 losing streak with a decisive victory over No. 4 Clemson. This win was crucial, giving the SEC a moment of relief amidst a turbulent start.

The stage was set for Texas entering 2025 as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25—an unprecedented accomplishment for the Longhorns. However, their title defense began on a disappointing note, suffering a 14-7 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Ohio State. Star quarterback Arch Manning, a preseason Heisman hopeful, showed signs of inexperience, looking overwhelmed despite flashing moments of brilliance.

Manning's struggles were compounded by a faltering offensive line that couldn’t muster the strength to push through Ohio State’s defense, raising questions about their offensive capabilities moving forward. A lack of support on the ground game was evident, aggravating Texas’ uphill battle.

Alabama, also a powerhouse in the SEC, faced an even grimmer reality. The Crimson Tide entered their matchup against Florida State as 14-point favorites but left the field defeated, 31-17. This marked their first Week 1 loss since 2001, with their performance raising alarms about their readiness for the season.

In a game marred by mistakes, Alabama's ground game struggled significantly, and their defense was outmaneuvered by Florida State's cunning play-calling, led by former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.

With optimistic expectations for a deep playoff run driven by their past prowess, both Alabama and Texas will need to regroup quickly if they hope to contend for a playoff spot this season. Luckily, they still have the chance to make a statement against formidable opponents as their schedules unfold.

As we take a closer look at the week's winners and losers, it’s clear that beyond the SEC struggles, other programs seized their moments.

Winners of Week 1

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) is shining bright after South Florida steamrolled Boise State with a commanding 34-7 victory, positioning themselves as potential playoff contenders. Not far behind, Tulane also had a commendable showing with a 23-3 win over Northwestern, showing promise as they move forward.

Auburn roared into the season with an impressive 38-24 victory over Baylor, with quarterback Jackson Arnold showcasing his dual-threat abilities, rushing for two touchdowns and grounding a powerful rushing attack.

Meanwhile, Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping 63-yard field goal, breaking the school record and coming within striking distance of the Big 12 record.

Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar also made waves in his debut, tossing three touchdown passes in a 45-26 triumph over Syracuse, proving he was more than ready to take the reins post-transfer.

Losers of Week 1

However, not all narratives were uplifting. Boise State’s dreams of a playoff return dwindled after their dismal display against South Florida, leading many to wonder how they can recover. Likewise, Army's loss to an FCS team, Tarleton State, has effectively eliminated their playoff aspirations.

Colorado’s missed chances against Georgia Tech in a narrow 27-20 loss proved costly, with the Buffaloes regretting their inability to capitalize on early turnovers.

As we reflect on these defining moments from Week 1, it’s clear that this season promises to be anything but predictable. With contenders emerging and others stumbling, the race to the College Football Playoff is just heating up.