2019 College Football Top Ten (Week 1): Saturday Mayhem Is Back!

College football returns for another season. Clemson is the reigning champs with Alabama looking to exact some revenge.

There is a familiarity in the Top Ten with the usual teams represented. The SEC leads the way with four teams, again showing their dominance. Who is that dark horse team ready to crash the party? A lot of questions need to be answered. Here’s a look at the first Top Ten rankings:

 

1) Clemson Tigers (1-0) defeated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 52-14

The Tigers came out to make a statement and did just that over the Yellow Jackets. Not the best start for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Running back Travis Etienne picked up the slack rushing for 205 yards on just 12 carries with three touchdowns. Clemson’s defense shut down Georgia Tech’s triple option offense forcing them to pass. They also forced four turnovers.

Next game- vs. #12 Texas A&M Aggies

 

2) Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) defeated Duke Blue Devils 42-3

Duke was no match for Alabama but hung tough through the first quarter. Then the second quarter started and the Crimson Tide took over. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was terrific, going 26-31 for 336 yards with four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jerry Juedy was his favorite target, with 10 catches for 137 yards with a touchdown. The Crimson Tide defense smothered the Blue Devils’ offense and forced three turnovers.

Next game- vs. New Mexico State Aggies

 

3) Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 30-6

Georgia sprinted past Vanderbilt by rushing for 323 yards as a team. Quarterback Jake Fromm was pedestrian at best, with 156 passing yards. Running back D’Andre Swift led the way with 147 rushing yards. The Bulldog defense kept the Commodore offense in check all game.

Next game- vs. Murray State Racers

 

4) Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) defeated Houston Cougars 49-31

The Sooners jumped all over the Cougars and cruised to a victory. Transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts was sensational, going 20-23 for 332 yards with three touchdowns and added 176 rushing yards with three more touchdowns. Aside from giving up a pair of late scores, the defense looked improved.

Next game- vs. South Dakota Coyotes

 

5) Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) defeated Florida Atlantic Owls 45-21

The Buckeyes raced out to a big lead and beat the Owls. Transfer quarterback Justin Fields had a productive debut with 234 passing yards and four touchdowns. He also added 61 rushing yards with another touchdown. Ohio State’s defense shut down Florida Atlantic’s running game and made them one dimensional.

Next game- vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

 

6) LSU Tigers (1-0) defeated Georgia Southern Eagles 55-3

The Tigers crushed the overmatched Eagles in a rout. Quarterback Joe Burrows was efficient, going 23 of 27 for 278 yards with five touchdowns. LSU’s defense was dominant, shutting down Georgia Southern’s offense.

Next game- @ #9 Texas Longhorns

 

7) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0) defeated Louisville Cardinals 35-17

 

With the score tied at 14 after the first quarter, Notre Dame methodically pulled away to beat Louisville. Quarterback Ian Book was ordinary, passing for 193 yards and a touchdown but added 81 rushing yards with a score. Running back Tony Jones Jr had 110 yards rushing with a touchdown. The defense buckled down after a shaky opening quarter.

Next game- vs. New Mexico Lobos

 

8) Michigan Wolverines (1-0) defeated Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 40-21

 

The Wolverines use,d a big first half to easily beat the Blue Raiders. Quarterback Shea Patterson was decent going 17 of 29 for 203 yards with three touchdowns. Running back Zach Charbonnet had 90 rushing yards on just eight carries. Michigan’s defense bent but didn’t break.

Next game- vs. Army Black Knights

 

9) Texas Longhorns (1-0) defeated Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 45-14

The Longhorns took care of business, beating the Bulldogs by scoring in every quarter. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger was good, going 28-38 for 276 yards with four touchdowns. The defense gave up some yards but kept Louisiana Tech out of the end zone.

Next game- vs. #6 LSU Tigers

 

10) Auburn Tigers (1-0) defeated #11 Oregon Ducks

 

The Tigers started off slow but ended strong in their comeback win over the Ducks. Freshman quarterback Bo Nix had a poor performance but saved his best for the end, throwing a game winning touchdown with nine seconds remaining. The defense tightened up as the game progressed to give the offense a chance to win.

Next game- vs. Tulane Green Wave