College Football Week 1: Top 25 lessons learned about the Top 25

The first full Saturday of the college football season is in the rear-view mirror and these are the biggest takeaways, lessons learned, players to know and other hyperbole to dish on in this week’s Schmidt List.

Finally. College football is here. The first full Saturday slate of games is in the books and the opening week featured the showdown between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Florida State as the main event. There was a lot of hype preceding the game as it was the first Week 1 matchup of two teams ranked in the top three, but it didn’t really live up to the hype. I put all the blame on Alabama because they’re simply too good and won’t play a tougher opponent until they get to the College Football Playoff.

Alabama led 10-7 at halftime but the patented second-half suffocation that Nick Saban’s teams are known for took over and Florida State was shutout in the second half. Alabama forced two interceptions, blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return as the offense didn’t have to do the heavy lifting. This is what Alabama does. They are so good they make it look boring. You don’t want to take this greatness for granted, however, because it’s incredible how many times Saban has had to reload his defense and they don’t miss a beat. This is what happens when you have the No. 1 recruiting class for five years in a row. It’s an embarrassment of riches for Alabama who was my preseason pick to win the national championship and after their showing vs. Florida State, I feel even more confident in that pick.

Alabama remains the team to beat in college football, but let’s whip it around the nation to see what I learned from the rest of the top 25, the things I learned, the players that stood out and any reasons for concern moving forward.