B/R's 2026 College Football Winners and Losers from Week 1

Although the official return of college football has passed, Week 1 marked the first full Saturday of the 2026 season. More than a hundred FBS teams returned to the field and kicked off their campaign.

Once again, and finally, we have a complete slate to dissect.

From an implosion by Rutgers on Thursday and Miami's sharp opener on Friday to Michigan's unbelievable escape and LSU's beatdown of Clemson on Saturday, it's already been a busy weekend.

Sunday's slate—which includes a Top 25 clash between Ole Miss and Louisville, along with Notre Dame playing Wisconsin at Lambeau Field—brings more action.

This piece will be updated throughout Labor Day weekend.

Winner: Colorado's Result

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Julian Lewis

Emphasis on result. Because that, my friends, was ugly.

Julian Lewis completed just 14-of-27 passes for 124 yards—an unimpressive 4.6 yards per attempt. There were too many punts, a missed field goal and Georgia Tech returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

It was an ugly evening for Colorado. Simultaneously, in this result-oriented world, CU landed the only thing that matters: a win.

As time expired, Boo Carter blocked GT's decisive 45-yard kick. Colorado players rushed onto the field and celebrated a 14-13 victory.

After the Buffs plummeted to 3-9 (with a 1-8 mark in Big 12 action) last season, Deion Sanders entered 2026 needing a resurgent year. His seat isn't necessarily hot, but another rough campaign would create an unpleasant conversation in Boulder. That still may happen. It's a long season.

Colorado still won, though. And in Week 1, you don't complain about ugly wins.

Loser: Rutgers' Meltdown

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Greg Schiano

It's certainly possible to have a worse opening game, given that a team theoretically could lose 70-0 or something like that.

But, my word, Rutgers just endured a nightmare.

The offense ripped down the field for a touchdown on the first possession of the game. It seemed like everything was going as planned. And then, Massachusetts—which finished 0-12 last year and hadn't defeated an FBS opponent since 2023—proceeded to score 30 straight points.

Rutgers is not a powerhouse program. We know that. But UMass? Putting up nearly 400 yards with four takeaways in a 37-21 thumping on the road?

That was a shocking, inexcusable, disastrous showing from Rutgers.

Winner: Miami's Star Duo

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Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney

In a 45-6 rout of Stanford, Miami did exactly what a heavy favorite is supposed to do. Most importantly, so did the superstars.

Malachi Toney reeled in 12 passes for a program-record 234 yards, catching three touchdowns from new quarterback Darian Mensah. The transfer from Duke completed 27-of-30 throws for 401 yards and five scores in his Miami debut.

It's fair to say Heisman Trophy voters are on high alert.

Toney, who flashed the iconic pose after his TDs, was simply untouchable. He shredded anyone Stanford threw at him in man coverage. Mensah also hit Cooper Barkate—who transferred with him from Duke—and Daylyn Upshaw for touchdowns to round out an outstanding game.

Miami has issues to address in run blocking, an injury worry with key cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. and a depth concern at linebacker. Don't crown the 'Canes yet.

But this combination of Mensah and Toney already looks special.

Winner: Keelon Russell's Debut

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As expected, the conclusion was never in jeopardy. Alabama rolled to a 48-10 victory over an outmatched East Carolina team.

The spotlight was always going to focus on Keelon Russell.

Making his first career start, the redshirt freshman—a 5-star prospect in the 2025 class—backed up his lofty billing. He went 18-of-30 for 256 yards, adding a team-leading 86 yards on the ground with a touchdown.

Russell had a couple of nervy throws, and he invited too many hits while running. He'll undoubtedly be coached to slide or head toward the sideline more often.

Nevertheless, he flashed a terrific mix of decision-making, arm talent and elusiveness. There's no question the best version of Russell can propel Bama to the College Football Playoff this season.

Loser: Offenses in Atlanta

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Baylor is facing some pressure because head coach Dave Aranda is sitting on a reasonably hot seat. Auburn, meanwhile, has posted five straight seven-loss records and is desperate to improve under new boss Alex Golesh.

Saturday's clash did not exactly fire up either fan base.

Inside the home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, both offenses struggled. Auburn QB Byrum Brown tossed three interceptions, while Baylor counterpart DJ Lagway threw a pick and lost a fumble. Neither side had an effective rushing attack, and both units had a turnover on downs—plus a missed field goal, for good measure.

Thanks to a fantastic hit by safety Eric Winters to prevent a two-point conversion, Auburn stole a dramatic 17-16 victory. As with Colorado, every win is a good win. That should never be taken for granted.

Looking ahead, though, Auburn and Baylor have a ton to prove.

Loser: Oregon Hype

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Dante Moore

On one hand, Boise State is a quality team. It's not like a lower-division program stuck with Oregon in a truly stunning game.

For those who believe Oregon is a prime championship threat, however, this was not a convincing home opener. Dan Lanning's squad fell behind 17-7 and needed a couple of late defensive stops to outlast Boise 34-27.

Leaping off the bandwagon is unnecessary. That'd be a rash decision, especially as the program breaks in new coordinators on both sides of the ball.

Simultaneously, the Ducks had a flurry of head-scratching mistakes—the kinds that an elite contender will not make—with 10 penalties chief among them.

Oregon's talent is undeniable. Its execution will be monitored closely.

Winner: Faizon Brandon, More QB Newcomers

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Faizon Brandon

As usual, most power-conference teams had a favorable matchup—well, uh, theoretically, as Michigan would tell you—in Week 1. It's important not to overreact when players have gaudy numbers in those contests.

That doesn't mean it's not exciting to see a new quarterback thrive.

Among the numerous options, Tennessee true freshman Faizon Brandon dazzled in a 56-9 rout of Furman. He became the first SEC QB with three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores in a starting debut since Cam Newton. Decent company!

Rocco Becht—who followed Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State—tossed a career-best four touchdowns in a 45-0 shutout of Marshall.

Lastly, Braxton Woodson took control of the Navy offense in style. He rushed for 200 yards and three scores as the Midshipmen cruised past Towson 42-15.

Again, not amazing competition. We get that. Great days, nonetheless.

Loser: Refs in Michigan's Controversial Win

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Incensed at a late penalty on his reeling Michigan offense, coach Kyle Whittingham screamed into his headset.

"What is going on?!" he yelled.

Over the next 48 hours in particular, that exact question will be surrounding this finish—and not in the way it seemed we would be asking that.

Western Michigan appeared to have pulled off a jaw-dropping 12-7 upset of the Wolverines in the Big House. Bryce Underwood's desperation Hail Mary floated beyond the end zone, and the clock looked to have expired.

Despite no replay showing that any time remained, the officials put a second back on the clock. Somehow, some way, Underwood's next—very controversial—heave dropped into the arms of a leaping JJ Buchanan.

Touchdown. Michigan won 13-12.

And, boy, does the Big Ten have an officiating mess to explain.

Winner: Lane Kiffin's Introduction

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No team put together a more emphatic performance than LSU.

Amid the drama surrounding the program, the Bayou Bengals blocked out that self-inflicted noise in a 51-10 obliteration of Clemson.

An early interception stood as the lone blemish of LSU's dominant win. Sam Leavitt passed for 230 yards, added 113 on the ground and totaled three touchdowns in his debut, while Dilin Jones also scampered for 113 yards and two scores.

Clemson's offense, which saw Christopher Vizzina benched for Tait Reynolds, didn't even hit 100 yards until the late minutes of the fourth quarter.

(Side note: Say hello to a rapidly warming seat, Dabo Swinney.)

An overpowering Week 1 victory is not why LSU invested many millions of dollars in Kiffin. He needs the Tigers to compete for SEC and national titles—and do so regularly. Expectations in Baton Rouge are enormous and unrelenting.

But what LSU showcased on Saturday looks an awful lot like a team worthy of that championship buzz right away.