Five Biggest Disappointments in College Football Week 1

Week 1 delivered plenty of excitement, but it also brought some underwhelming performances and shocking losses. From powerhouse programs struggling to generational quarterbacks falling short of expectations, here are five of the biggest disappointments from opening weekend:

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s much-hyped offense was run over by Florida State in a 31–17 loss. The Crimson Tide struggled to keep up with the Seminoles’ rushing attack, gaining just 230 yards on the ground while failing to establish any rhythm. New head coach Kalen DeBoer has a lot of work ahead to get Alabama back to its dominant form.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

The star QB had high expectations heading into his debut against Ohio State, but Manning looked lost against a dominant Buckeyes defense. The new starter struggled to complete passes, was under constant pressure, and failed to generate explosive plays, overshadowing a solid debut from OSU quarterback Julian Sayin.

3. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

Alabama quarterback Ryan Williams had a rough debut as the Crimson Tide fell 31–17 to Florida State on Saturday. Tasked with leading an offense expected to keep pace with a high-powered Seminoles rushing attack, Williams struggled to make things happen against FSU.

4. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins were routed 43–10 by Utah, unable to contain dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier. UCLA’s offense also struggled, completing only 11 passes and turning the ball over, leaving fans concerned about the program’s trajectory and the performance of their new starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

5. Clemson Tigers

Clemson’s offense sputtered in a 17–10 loss to LSU, managing just three third-down conversions and under 270 yards of total offense. Cade Klubnik, the Tigers’ starting quarterback, was harassed all game by a revitalized LSU defense, leaving questions about Clemson’s ability to contend in the ACC this season.