The first Saturday of the college football season has taken place, with the College Football Playoff (CFP) already on everyone’s mind. One week of action is enough to get some insights that are likely to impact the rest of the CFP race. Five major lessons have been gathered from the Week 1.
Firstly, the introduction of the new 12-team CFP means that blowouts are likely to happen more frequently. In the previous 10 years of the four-team CFP, blowouts often occurred, especially in the semi-finals and finals due to the significant gap between top teams and the rest. In the recent game where Georgia Bulldogs played Clemson Tigers, the Bulldogs won by a large margin, suggesting they are highly likely to reach the Playoff for the third time in four years.
Secondly, Miami Hurricanes emerged as a strong contender. While some top teams such as Florida State and Clemson faced defeats in their first games, Miami dominated with a spectacular win against Florida. There’s a strong possibility that Miami will be a popular pick for the CFP given their performance and a relatively favorable schedule.
Thirdly, Penn State seems to be reaping the benefits of the 12-team CFP. From never making it to the four-team CFP field, the team is now a solid contender following their dominant win over West Virginia. Penn State now has a 74 percent chance to make the CFP.
Notre Dame’s chances of making the Playoff have greatly increased due to the extra at-large bids in the expanded field. After the opening win against Texas A&M, Notre Dame should already be favored to qualify, with a 72 percent chance to make it.
Lastly, Group of 5 favorites have managed to avoid initial scares and face big tests from Power 4 ahead. Teams like Boise State, Appalachian State, Liberty, and Memphis had their challenges during the games, but eventually, they won their respective matches. The performance of these teams throughout the season will be closely watched.
