Tom Fornelli's CFP Vibe Check, Week 1: Big Ten shows cracks, while LSU sends a loud message - CBS Sports

LSU delivered a dominant 51-10 win over Clemson to open the 2026 season, a performance that positioned the Tigers as a legitimate eighth national title contender alongside the seven teams already in the preseason conversation.
Sam Leavitt shined in his LSU debut, with the only blemish coming on the second play from scrimmage when a pass to Malik Elzy slipped through his hands for an interception; the LSU defense quickly stifled Clemson's offense from there.
The result reflected two programs moving in opposite directions, with Clemson continuing a slide from the sport's elite while Lane Kiffin's revamped LSU roster reestablished itself as a genuine threat.
The entire SEC went 16-0 in Week 1, marking the conference's first sweep of opening weekend since 1997, according to ESPN's Peter Burns.
The Big Ten, winner of three straight national titles, showed early cracks, as No. 1 Ohio State's rout of Ball State was the only convincing performance among the league's returning playoff teams.
No. 6 Indiana beat North Texas 52-16 but needed two late touchdowns in the final six minutes to pull away, though quarterback Josh Hoover looked sharp in the outing.