Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5
Ohio State Romps 56-3 in Week 1 as UMass Stuns Rutgers as 29.5-Point Underdog
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5

Ohio State Romps 56-3 in Week 1 as UMass Stuns Rutgers as 29.5-Point Underdog

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5

Summary

  • No. 1 Ohio State opened its season with a 56-3 rout of Ball State, with quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith leading the Buckeyes' most emphatic Top 25 result.
  • Week 1 also delivered an early shock: UMass beat Rutgers on Thursday night despite entering as a 29.5-point underdog, snapping a 16-game losing streak.
  • Across the ranked slate, favorites largely rolled, including No. 3 Georgia's 63-3 win over Tennessee State, No. 21 Utah's 66-14 victory over Idaho and No. 10 Oklahoma's 51-0 shutout of UTEP.
  • Closer tests were rarer but notable, with No. 2 Oregon holding off Boise State 34-27 and No. 23 Houston beating Oregon State 33-20 as the season's first full weekend got underway.

Insights

Can highly-touted new quarterbacks at Alabama and Ohio State maintain their explosive opening-day dominance against elite defenses?
Will off-field tampering drama and SEC eligibility battles derail LSU's highly anticipated season opener against Clemson?
How will the looming SEC legal battle over former pro players returning reshape the future of college football rosters?