The NCAA’s television partners trumpeted the week that was as the “greatest” opening weekend in the history of college football.

In fact, the slate of games lived up to this over-hype, but not for the reasons originally intended. While pundits and pigskin propagandists waxed on (and on) about match-ups between the “Power Five” elites, programs from some of the country’s smaller conferences were pulling off major upsets.

Below are our CFB rankings after Week 1, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).

 

NCAA College Football (CFB) Rankings

1. Clemson, 1-0

The Tigers were hardly convincing at Auburn, but they did enough to win. Fact is, Dabo Swinney’s boys would have lost this game two years ago. Running back Wayne Gallman showed why he belongs in the big-time player conversation with QB Deshaun Watson, a brain cramp toward the end of the game notwithstanding.

2. Alabama, 1-0

Any lingering doubts about the Crimson Tide heading into their opening-week trouncing of USC should be gone. What may be a down year for the SEC, based on Week 1 results, could make for a big year in Tuscaloosa. Imagine a Nick Saban team fresh for the BCS playoffs…

3. Florida State, 1-0

Sure, the Seminoles beat Ole Miss in what was a neutral-site game in name only, but it was how they did it. Trailing 28-13 at the half, they scored 32 points in the second half, all with frosh signal-caller Deondre Francois under center. Running back Dalvin Cook had trouble holding onto the ball, but he also showed that he's a threat both running and receiving.

4. Ohio State, 1-0

No surprises in Columbus, where the Buckeyes rolled to victory as expected. But it’s too early to punish OSU coach Urban Meyer for scheduling Bowling Green in Week 1. J.T. Barrett set a school record for touchdowns in the game and proved to doubters that he’s ready to make the starting QB job his own.

5.  Stanford, 1-0

The Cardinal may have exposed a weak Kansas State team in the first-ever match-up between the two programs, but the win shows early that the Pac-12 school should be a force to be reckoned with this season.

 

6. Michigan, 1-0

Hawaii looked a lot more “Rainbow” than “Warrior” at the Big House, but no matter: The Wolverines seem to have found a quarterback in Wilton Speight and, with an already-loaded defense, that spells trouble for the rest of the Big 10.

7. Houston, 1-0

We hate to say we told you so, but we did. The Cougars, led by all-everything QB Greg Ward Jr. romped over Big 12 big brothers Oklahoma. Best of all, he came out of the contest injury-free. Wideout Steven Dunbar (125 yards, seven catches) is worth a look, too.

8. Georgia, 1-0

The Bulldogs jump way up in our rankings, thanks to their big win against ACC foe UNC. But even better for the Athens faithful, running back Nick Chubb (222 yards) is back and healthy.

9. Oklahoma, 0-1

That’s right. We’re not going to punish the Sooners for their opening week road loss at Houston—yet. That’s how much we like the Cougars, and Sooners QB Baker Mayfield, who had a solid day Saturday and will only get better.

10. TCU, 1-0

The Horned Frogs won alright, but not by enough over FCS opponent South Dakota State. QB Kenny Hill has a strange sense of humor, according to his coach, but he also has a great receiver in Taj Williams (158 yards, 11 catches).

 

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