For programs wanting to leave no doubt and impress the College Football Playoff Selection Committee after the first week of the season, Miami and LSU answered the call against Power Four opponents in blowout fashion with style points to boot. Malachi Toney eviscerated Stanford's secondary in his sophomore debut during a scintillating 234-yard, three-touchdown performance, while Lane Kiffin's LSU debut signaled the Tigers as an immediate threat in the SEC thanks to one of the most complete rosters in the country. LSU will play five nationally ranked opponents this fall, compared to only one for the Hurricanes.
That gives Kiffin's group margin for error, especially after beating Clemson and grabbing a quality non-conference victory. We've updated our CFP bracket projection along with every other postseason matchup after Week 1. The most significant change?
Boise State sliding into the Group of Six's top choice despite a season-opening loss at Oregon. If the Broncos take out unbeaten Memphis in Week 2, the path is abundantly clear for Boise State to get to the playoff from the Pac-12. Memphis handled UNLV on the road in Week 0 before holding off Arkansas State over the weekend, proving Charles Huff is ahead of schedule in his first season with the Tigers.
Check out Brad Crawford's complete bowl projections for every game. No. 1 Miami (ACC champion): My preseason No. 1 and only projected team to get through the regular season unscathed this fall, the Hurricanes looked the part in Friday night's drubbing of Stanford. The Darian Mensah-to-Malachi Toney connection looks unstoppable, and the former Duke quarterback finished with 401 yards through the air.
It's unlikely Miami will be tested this season before a Nov. 7 showdown at Notre Dame, so the focus here is execution and avoiding an unexpected trip up in the ACC. No. 2 Georgia (SEC champion): How's a 60-point win to open the season for Kirby Smart and his boys? The SEC was a perfect 16-0 over the weekend, disposing of several out-manned opponents along with marquee wins for LSU and Ole Miss against Power Four competition.
Georgia was perfect against Tennessee State, scoring four first-quarter touchdowns in the rout. Gunner Stockton was sharp, Nate Frazier piled up three touchdowns, and Mike Bobo did enough to get a fifth quarterback into the game. No. 3 Ohio State (Big Ten champion): The Buckeyes played it safe against Ball State with a seismic matchup coming at Texas this weekend, and Ryan Day couldn't have scripted a better first showing for Ohio State's new-look offense.
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