Around CFB: Looking at who sizzled vs. fizzled from first full slate

The first week of the college football season often raises more questions than answers.

Some teams sizzle. Some fizzle. Sometimes we’re left trying to figure out which is which.

Interpreting first-week results has often been an inexact science. The addition of the transfer portal adds to the confusion.

Bad teams get better fast. Good teams become great. Or departing transfers can leave their previous teams severely weakened.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the first week of teams that surprisingly sizzled and those that fizzled.

Sizzled

• Colorado: No team sizzled like Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. Last year, they managed only one win while averaging just 15 points a game. “Coach Prime” came in, overhauled the roster and presto — Colorado upset then-No. 17 TCU, 45-42.

“We told you we coming,” Sanders said in a  postgame press conference. “You thought we was playing. And guess what? We keep receipts.”

• Duke: The Blue Devils posted nine victories in their first season under coach Mike Elko. However, they opened the season against defending ACC champion Clemson.

No problem.

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Former A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko went 9-4 in 2022 during his first year as head coach at Duke.

Duke outplayed Clemson from the outset in a 28-7 victory. It was Duke’s first win over Clemson since 2004 and prompted Blue Devils fans to storm the field.

“I don’t know if we’re going to get fined for that one,” Elko joked about the postgame celebration.

But he wasn’t joking when he said: “This is what I envisioned Duke could be when I took the job.”

Elko, of course, left his position as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator to accept the Duke head coaching job.

• The Pac-12: Boosted by Colorado’s win, the Pac-12 has gotten off to a 13-0 start. It’s the first time since 1932 that every conference member won its first game.

Still, it’s a last act of defiance for the league that only has two teams (Washington State and Oregon State) remaining after this season.

• Florida State: It’s no surprise the Seminoles defeated LSU. They did last year. But coming back from a halftime deficit to win by 21 points? FSU certainly sizzled. Or…

Fizzled

• LSU: The Tigers were ranked No. 5. They led 17-14 at intermission. Then, they allowed 31 consecutive points before managing a meaningless touchdown in the final two minutes.

Coach Brian Kelly was justifiably disgusted.

“For some reason, we thought we were somebody else,” he said. “We thought we were the two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs or something. I don't know what we thought, but we were mistaken.”

• Clemson: The Tigers lost three turnovers — two inside the Duke 10. They also had two field goal attempts blocked. That resulted in their lowest point output against an ACC rival since falling 28-6 to Georgia Tech on Nov. 15, 2014.

• The Big 12: Three of the most stunning losses of the first week were suffered by the Big 12, with two coming against opponents from “lesser” conferences.

Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat

Taking down then-No. 5 LSU, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis recorded four touchdowns and covered 342 yards.

Aside from No. 17 TCU falling at home to Colorado, Texas Tech lost in overtime to Wyoming, and Baylor fell to Texas State.

Those losses weren’t flukes, either.

Texas State led 21-6 early in the second quarter. Wyoming rallied from a 17-0 deficit, while Tech needed a field goal with 41 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Not too much should be assumed from first-week results. Questions still remain.

Can Colorado be a Pac-12 championship contender with a defense that allowed 42 points?

Can Clemson clean up its turnover issues and contend for another ACC title?

Will LSU duplicate last year and bounce back from a season-opening loss to Florida State and win the SEC West?

Is Duke a legitimate contender to win the ACC?
Maybe. But it’ll take a few more games to know for sure.

Heisman watch (If my ballot was due today)

1. Jordan Travis, Florida State, QB: Look out for Travis. He’s mobile, he’s accurate, and he has good receivers. He passed his first major test of the season with flying colors. Travis completed 23 of 31 passes for 342 yards and had four touchdowns against then-No. 5 LSU.

2. Caleb Williams, USC, QB: Last year’s Heisman recipient is off to a fast start. He has thrown for 597 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 73.5 percent of his attempts. Last week, he passed for 319 yards and five touchdowns in a 66-14 victory over Nevada.

3. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, QB: Deion Sanders’ son has to be considered a Heisman candidate after his opening performance against TCU. He completed 38 of 47 passes (80.9 percent) for 510 yards and four touchdowns. He leads the nation in passing.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

In his P5 debut, Shedeur Sanders completed 38 of 47 passes for 510 yards and four TDs without an interception.

4. Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB: Maye also got off to a great start in a 31-17 victory over South Carolina. He completed 75 percent of his passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 25 yards.

5. Michael Penix, Washington, QB: Another Pac-12 quarterback with a fast start. Penix completed 29 of 40 passes for 450 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-19 victory over Boise State.

Predicted Playoff Participants

1. Georgia: The Bulldogs’ winning streak is now at 18.

2. Michigan: Wolverines weren’t overly dominant in an opening win over East Carolina, but they still look like the class of the Big Ten.

3. Florida State: The Seminoles have a huge win over LSU, and suddenly the trip to Clemson in three weeks doesn’t seem so daunting.

4. USC: Defense could be a problem, but the Trojans have scored 122 points in two games.

Games to Watch

No. 11 Texas at No. 3 Alabama: Last year, Alabama won on a field goal with 10 seconds left. This one could go down to the wire, too.

No. 20 Ole Miss at No. 24 Tulane: Ole Miss scored 73 points in its opener, but Tulane is dangerous. Ask USC.

No. 10 Notre Dame at NC State: The Irish get their first look at a Power 5 opponent. NC State has won 16 of its last 17 games in Raleigh.

No. 23 Texas A&M at Miami: The Aggies’ win over Miami last year wasn’t clinched until a fourth down incompletion with 30 seconds remaining. Hurricanes want revenge, but the Aggies looked strong in their opening win.

Nebraska at No. 22 Colorado: An old-time rivalry is renewed. Colorado’s offense looks to show it can again race up and down the field. That might be more difficult against Nebraska, which allowed just 13 points last week.