LSU makes national title case after win while Big Ten shows early cracks

LSU announced itself as a national championship contender following a 51-10 win over Clemson to open the 2026 season. Sam Leavitt delivered a strong debut for LSU, while the team's defense limited Clemson throughout the matchup. The win marks a significant shift for both programs, with the SEC conference sweeping its opening weekend for the first time since 1997. Meanwhile, the Big Ten faces questions regarding its depth despite a dominant outing from Ohio State against Ball State. Other conference programs including Indiana, Oregon, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Michigan State experienced uneven performances or struggles against lower-level opponents. These early results raise uncertainty about the conference's ability to secure multiple bids in the College Football Playoff field.

• 2:57 PMCBS Sports — Tom Fornelli's CFP Vibe Check, Week 1: Big Ten shows cracks, while LSU sends a loud message