College football rankings: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 1

College football rankings: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 1 – Notre Dame up, Michigan down

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals on September 1, 2018 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a second half pass while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 24-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

All eyes were on Central Florida, or the now-NCAA recognized national champs, in the opening weekend as the Knights played Thursday night against Connecticut. The Knights were able to run away with an easy win as the Huskies are one of the worst teams in the AAC while McKenzie Milton got his Heisman Trophy campaign off on the right foot.

Is this too big of a drop for a seven-point loss at Notre Dame? Probably, but the voters won’t be too kind, especially with teams like Florida State, West Virginia and Mississippi State impressing behind the Wolverines. Shea Patterson’s debut wasn’t as exciting as Michigan fans would have hoped as the offense looked as stagnant as ever — partially due to the offensive line. The defense stepped up in the second half, but couldn’t pull off the comeback.

With Nick Fitzgerald suspended for Week 1, Mississippi State had to turn to sophomore Keytaon Thompson, and he didn’t disappoint. The young gunslinger completed just 13-of-31 passes, but he had 364 yards through the air and five touchdowns. That completion rate is concerning, but luckily Fitzgerald should be back in Week 2. Stephen F. Austin was no match for the Bulldogs as they raced to a 63-6 victory.

Another predicted outcome on the Week 1 schedule as Florida State will take care of Virginia Tech at home to kick off ACC play. The Seminoles will get a strong performance from Deondre Francois and Cam Akers will also put up over 100 rushing yards plus the game-winning catch and run. Florida State may have a new look, but the Seminoles will just keep on winning.

Did West Virginia live up to all the offseason hype surrounding the offense? Absolutely. Tennessee hung tough for the first half, but the Mountaineers were able to pull away in the second half, out-scoring the Volunteers 27-7. Will Grier passed for an eye-popping 429 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions while David Sills V and Gary Jennings each went over 100 yards receiving. Just another day at the office.

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