LSU's 51-10 demolition of Clemson under first-year coach Lane Kiffin headlines Week 1's College Football Playoff implications. The Tigers join Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss as five SEC teams projected in the 12-team field. Kiffin warned against overreaction, noting last year's similar LSU win over Clemson proved fleeting.

The ACC posted a historic 1-5 record against Power 4 opponents with a minus-80 scoring margin. Miami stands alone as the league's playoff representative after dominating Stanford, while Louisville emerges as an enigma after pushing Ole Miss to the final seconds. The Cardinals face a quick turnaround against Villanova before a key matchup with SMU.

In the Big 12, Texas Tech claims the projected conference champion spot, edging out Texas A&M. The Big Ten picture remains unclear ahead of Michigan hosting Oklahoma and Ohio State traveling to Texas. Notre Dame and Group of 6 contenders round out the weekly snapshot that will shift as résumés develop.