LSU Destroys Clemson 51-10

Published Mon. Sep 7th, 2026

The battle for the right to claim the stadium "Death Valley" has been settled, at least for 2026. LSU blasted Clemson 51-10 to settle that arguments.

Memphis was the only American Athletic Conference team on my Week 1 list, and the Tigers opened the season strong with an impressive 42-24 victory over Arkansas State. Memphis established control with a balanced offensive attack. Jaylin Carter led the ground game with 183 rushing yards, consistently breaking through the Arkansas State defense and setting the tone for the offense. Quarterback Marcus Stokes complemented the running game by throwing for 188 yards, making timely plays through the air and keeping the Red Wolves from loading up against the run. The Tigers showed the balance that championship contenders need. While the defense made enough key stops to prevent Arkansas State from mounting a serious comeback. Week one doesn't guarantee anything, but Memphis looked like a team capable of competing for the American Athletic Conference title again this year. If the Tigers continue to run the football as effectively as they did in their opener, they should be a factor throughout the conference race.

The Big Ten offered a little bit of everything in Week 1. Oregon was tested before pulling out a 34-27 win over Boise State. Quarterback Dante Moore passed for378 yards and three touchdowns, showing poise in a game that was far from a runaway. Ohio State left nothing to doubt in a 56-3 rout of Ball State. Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns as the Buckeyes looked every bit like a national title contender. USC was equally impressive, shutting out Fresno State 39-0, suggesting that the Trojans may finally be finding the consistency they've been searching for. Michigan, meanwhile, had a very narrow escape. The Wolverines needed a last-second 47-yard Hail Mary from quarterback Bryce Underwood to J.J. Buchanan to get past Western Michigan 13-12. That result left plenty of questions in Ann Arbor. Nebraska, on the other hand, looked sharp in a 49-21 win over Ohio, showing balance and rhythm on offense. The early Big Ten picture is clear. Ohio State and USC looked dominant. Oregon showed resolve. Nebraska impressed, and Michigan left its fans holding their breath.

Big 12. Houston picked up a solid non-conference win, knocking off Oregon State 33-20 behind a balanced offensive performance. Conner Weigman threw for over300 yards, Amare Thomas topped 130 receiving yards, and the Cougars piled up more than 220 rushing yards as a team. Houston built a comfortable lead and then held off a late push to close it out. Baylor, meanwhile, came painfully close in a 17-16 loss to Auburn. DJ Lagway threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns, Gavin Freeman was explosive on the outside, and Dawson Pendergrass led the ground game. But Baylor's final two-point try came up short. It was a tough loss, but Baylor showed it can go toe-to-toe with a quality opponent. Early impression in the big 12? Houston's start builds real confidence, and Baylor's narrow miss still offered encouraging signs.

Independents, Notre Dame delivered one of the most notable independent performances of the weekend in the Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field, where the Irish pulled away in the second half to beat Wisconsin 41-13. It was close early, just 13-10 at halftime, but Notre Dame dominated after the break. Quarterback CJ Carr threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Aneyas Williams ran for90 and two scores, and Jordan Faison led the receivers with 81 yards. Wisconsin got a solid day from quarterback Colton Joseph, who threw for277 yards, but the Badgers couldn't run the ball, and a costly pick6 slammed the door. So from the independent ranks, Notre Dame looks balanced, explosive, and poised. That second half in Green Bay was the kind of statement that playoff hopefuls like to make early.

Pac-12. Washington took care of Washington State in the Apple Cup, grinding out a 24-20 win. Quarterback Desmond Williams Jr. threw for two touchdowns and ran for87 yards and a score, leading a balanced attack. Washington rushed for 198 yards as a team, while Washington State's second-half rally came up just short. This wasn't a flashy win, but it was a steady one, and it's the kind of result that can build confidence early. For a restructured Pac-12 world, it was Washington asserting itself in a rivalry game that always seems to come down to the wire.

SEC. Texas opened with a dominant 59-7 win over Texas State. Arch Manning threw for over300 yards and four touchdowns. Texas scored on eight of its first nine drives and looked like a national title favorite. Oklahoma was just as sharp, shutting out UTEP 51-0, scoring on its first eight possessions. Quarterback John Mateer accounted for three early touchdowns before backups finished the job. And we already saw Ole Miss edge Louisville 41-38 on a last-second 48-yard field goal. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for336 yards and three touchdowns in that one. The SEC looks deep and dangerous again. Texas and Oklahoma flexed early, Ole Miss proved it can win tight games, and the league as a whole showed why it’s still the standard.

Week 1 never tells the whole story, but it always gives us something to think about. Miami looked like a national contender. Clemson has real questions. Memphis looked strong in the American. The Big Ten showed both dominance and vulnerability, with Ohio State and USC rolling and Michigan escaping. The Big 12 offered encouraging signs from Houston, while Baylor's narrow miss still had positives. Notre Dame looked complete, Washington passed a rivalry test, and the SEC flexed its depth from Texas and Oklahoma to Ole Miss. The season is just beginning, but the first impressions were loud and clear. Some teams already look like contenders, while others have work to do, and that's what makes the weeks ahead so intriguing.

The rankings for week 1 will be posted tomorrow after the SMU/Florida State game tonight. Week 2 projections will also be posted .