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Week 1 winners and losers: Kiffin’s LSU surge, Heisman hopefuls shine, and unsettling results across college football

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Week 1 winners and losers: Kiffin’s LSU surge, Heisman hopefuls shine, and unsettling results across college football

All eyes were on Baton Rouge on Saturday night after a two‑hour rain delay, and LSU coach Lane Kiffin emerged as the day’s top performer. The Tigers routed Clemson 51‑10, showcasing dominance without reliance on former NFL talent.

The opening weekend also featured a series of contrasting outcomes, underscored by several surprising upsets.

Oklahoma State’s ambitious roster overhaul and quarterback Bryce Underwood’s struggles highlighted the growing pains of early‑season adjustments.

Michigan’s late‑game drama—adding a single second to the clock and producing a dramatic last‑second touchdown—left fans debating the final result.

Austin Meek

Ahead of next week’s Ohio State‑Texas showdown in Austin, here are the notable winners and losers from Week 1:

Winner: Conspiracy Theorists and Skeptics

Western Michigan’s narrow 12‑7 lead over Michigan at the end of regulation appeared to signal a historic upset for the MAC champions. However, officials added one final second to the clock, enabling Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood to launch a 47‑yard Hail Mary that was caught by Utah transfer JJ Buchanan for the winning touchdown.

The Big Ten’s explanation has not satisfied all observers, providing ample material for those who question the integrity of close contests.

The controversy continues as Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor considers legal action. Meanwhile, Underwood’s overall performance (11/21 for 123 yards, one interception, a fumble) had been underwhelming before the miraculous finish, raising questions about Michigan’s quarterback situation despite a $12 million contract.

Loser: Dabo Swinney’s Reconstruction Efforts

Clemson entered the season hoping to rebound from a 7‑6 campaign, adding ten transfer players and rehiring offensive coordinator Chad Morris. However, the Tigers struggled mightily against LSU, managing only one first down by halftime and suffering a 51‑10 defeat.

The loss underscores a broader decline; Clemson has not been the same since losing defensive coordinator Brent Venables to Oklahoma and now stands 2‑5 against ranked foes since the 2024 season.

Loser: Oklahoma State’s Roster Overhaul

Winner: Other Coaching Moves

Eric Morris attempted a drastic reshaping of Oklahoma State’s roster, bringing 18 players from North Texas—including quarterback Drew Mestemaker—into a 92‑man overhaul. The experiment faltered early, as the Cowboys turned the ball over four times and fell 24‑10 to Tulsa.

Despite Oklahoma State’s struggles, other programs successfully integrated transplant squads. Notable successes include:

  • Matt Campbell’s 24 Iowa State alums helped Penn State shut out Marshall 45‑0.
  • Jason Candle’s 22 Toledo transfers contributed to a 56‑7 UConn win over Lafayette.
  • Jimmy Rogers’ 15 Washington State players powered a 38‑10 Iowa State victory.
  • Alex Golesh’s 14 South Florida alumni backed an Auburn win over Baylor.
  • Jim Mora’s Colorado State team, featuring 18 former UConn players, routed Wyoming 35‑13.
  • Memphis, with 17 players from Charles Huff’s former program, followed a Week 0 upset of UNLV with a 35‑24 win over Arkansas State.
  • James Franklin’s 12 Penn State transplants debuted with a 73‑3 win over VMI for Virginia Tech.
  • Bob Chesney’s 10 James Madison players helped UCLA defeat Cal 45‑24.
  • Mike Jacobs’ 14 Mercer players gave Toledo a fourth‑quarter lead before losing 30‑20 at Michigan State.

Oklahoma State’s poor performance stood out as a cautionary tale about roster transformation.

Winner: Heisman Contenders

The early performances of top Heisman favorites reinforced their standing.

Darian Mensah of Miami (+550) completed 27 of 30 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns in a 45‑6 victory over Stanford, tying his touchdown passes to Malachi Toney with his incompletions.

Arch Manning of Texas (+900) threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns versus Texas State, with a single interception before being pulled in the third quarter.

Julian Sayin of Ohio State (+1400) posted 320 yards and three touchdowns, adding his first rushing score in a 56‑3 win over Ball State.

Dante Moore of Oregon (+1500) delivered a career‑high 378 yards and three scores, sealing a 34‑27 victory over Boise State with a crucial 62‑yard touchdown pass.

Winner: The Heisman Pose Trend

The post‑touchdown “Heisman pose” has sparked a mini‑competition among elite receivers. Miami’s Malachi Toney and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith both struck the iconic pose after scoring in Week 1.

Toney, an 18‑year‑old sophomore, recorded 12 receptions for 234 yards and three touchdowns at Stanford, celebrating each with the pose. Smith contributed eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns against Ball State, also performing the pose after his second score.

Loser: Rutgers’ Fireworks Expenditure

Rutgers spent $191,220 on fireworks and drone displays during the 2025 season, a significant outlay given the program’s $47 million deficit.

The Scarlet Knights paid UMass $1.55 million for a home game, only to see the Minutemen—29.5‑point underdogs after a winless 2024—secure a 37‑21 victory. Most of the 42,454 fans had departed by the time the post‑game fireworks began, drawing criticism.

Up next for Rutgers is a challenging Big Ten slate led by USC, Indiana, Michigan, and Penn State. The loss of its easiest opponent narrows any margin for error, making a bowl berth increasingly difficult.

Winner: Tarleton State’s FBS Aspirations

Three FCS programs posted upset victories over FBS opponents, with Tarleton State’s 20‑13 win at Bowling Green marking its second consecutive road triumph against a higher‑division opponent.

Only nine programs since 2014 have duplicated this feat, all of which have successfully transitioned to the FBS level. Tarleton, now six years into its Division II‑to‑Division I ascent, has earmarked roughly $200 million for athletic facilities and maintains a $45 million budget, alongside a 24,000‑seat stadium.

The 2024 runners‑up, coached by Todd Whitten, signed a school‑record 54 transfers for this season, including 17 from FBS programs. Former Hawaii back Tylan Hines rushed for 250 yards, while former Wyoming starter Kaden Anderson accounted for two passing touchdowns.

Winner: Special Teams Innovations

Special teams provided some of the weekend’s most memorable moments. Cincinnati’s Max Fletcher, a 6‑ft‑6 punter, executed a fake punt on a wheel route, gaining an 8‑yard first down during a 34‑15 win over Boston College.

Other standout special‑teams plays included Minnesota’s Javon Tracy returning two punts for touchdowns, Colorado’s Boo Carter blocking a last‑second field goal, and Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna sealing an 88‑yard punt return score.



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