The opening weekend of the college football season reshuffled the AP Top 25, and Sports Illustrated’s James Parks argues the movement was earned rather than cosmetic.
LSU made the loudest case, beating Clemson 51-10 in Lane Kiffin’s debut and climbing to No. 11; Clemson fell out of the rankings entirely, holding 112 votes.
Ole Miss rose to No. 9 after beating then-No. 24 Louisville in Nashville behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who threw for 336 yards, added 50 on the ground, and accounted for four touchdowns, with Deuce Alexander catching two 62-yard scores.
Alabama moved to No. 13 on the strength of a running game that produced 227 yards under new quarterback Keelon Russell.
The movement ran the other way for two of the sport’s biggest names.
Oregon, at No. 2, was favored by more than three touchdowns against Boise State and needed a late push to win.
Michigan slipped to No. 16 after a disputed finish against Western Michigan decided with one second left, with Bryce Underwood at quarterback and Kyle Whittingham newly running the defense.
Texas A&M, at No. 8, beat Missouri State 50-0. Parks cautions that much of Week 1 was played against overmatched opposition.
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