Week 1 of the 2024 faculty soccer season noticed the official dying of a dynasty. No. 1 Georgia put the final scoops of grime on No. 14 Clemson’s grave with a 34-3 thrashing in Atlanta. 

Shedding by loads in opposition to Georgia is not embarrassing in a vacuum. The Bulldogs have made it their modus operandi to fully thrash groups below coach Kirby Good. Nevertheless it felt like a last entry in a rising record of setbacks for Tigers coach Dabo Swinney — extra irrefutable proof that the Tigers simply haven’t got what it takes to run with faculty soccer’s huge dawgs anymore. Clemson is 6-4 in its final 10 regular-season video games in opposition to Energy 4 opponents. 

That does not embrace 2022’s 35-14 loss to an unranked Notre Dame staff or 2023’s season-opening 28-7 loss to an unranked Duke staff that hadn’t beat Clemson in 19 years to that time. It is not like Swinney hasn’t tried to do issues otherwise, although his staunch anti-transfer stance instructions loads of media consideration. He went outdoors his consolation zone to rent offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. It hasn’t labored. In 12 months 16 below Swinney, Clemson’s simply fallen behind. Saturday introduced that dwelling. 

However, hey, perhaps that is an overreaction. What else is Week 1 of the faculty soccer season for? 

Oregon entered the 2024 season ranked No. 3 within the AP Prime 25, simply behind Ohio State. The Geese positioned second within the preseason Massive Ten ballot and acquired all six of the 27 first-place votes that did not go to the Buckeyes. 

And but they won’t be Ohio State’s greatest menace to convention supremacy. 

Oregon’s season debut may have solely gone worse if it misplaced. The Geese plodded to a 24-14 win in opposition to FCS Idaho. They allowed three sacks. Idaho scored its first landing after Oregon did not convert on fourth-and-inches. The Geese had been outmatched, on the line of scrimmage, by a non-FBS staff. 

There isn’t any worse omen for a staff making a transfer to the Massive Ten. It does not matter if beginning guard Matthew Bedford missed the sport attributable to damage. That simply should not occur. 

In the meantime, No. 8 Penn State dealt with enterprise in a 34-12 win on the street in opposition to West Virginia. The offense seemed revitalized below new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and quarterback Drew Allar performed the perfect recreation of his profession. 

May this be the yr for the Nittany Lions? Taking a look at their schedule, they’re going to solely be underdogs in a single recreation — in opposition to Ohio State, and that can come throughout the pleasant confines of Beaver Stadium. They actually seemed just like the Massive Ten’s second-best staff in Week 1. 

Florida does not have to let this go on for much longer 

The writing is on the wall in Gainesville. Saturday’s consequence in opposition to No. 19 Miami wasn’t even all-time low for this program below Billy Napier — that was most likely final yr’s loss to a four-win Arkansas staff — nevertheless it’s clear that Napier does not have what it takes to scrape the Gators off the street. 

Firing him now will surely be unprecedented. Possibly it should not be carried out. However what is the level in carrying on the charade? 

Florida will beat Samford subsequent week. At the very least it actually ought to. After that? Ten straight video games in opposition to power-conference competitors, seven of which come in opposition to groups presently within the AP Prime 25. 

If QB Graham Mertz misses appreciable time after exiting the Miami recreation with damage, DJ Lagway may very well be sufficient to momentarily stir followers from their apathetic lull. Nevertheless it’s arduous to see a real freshman dragging the remainder of this staff to a good displaying, regardless of how proficient he could also be. 

The earlier Florida strikes on from Napier, the earlier it could actually flip its eyes in the direction of the longer term. 

The 2024 extensive receiver class is perhaps the perfect ever

And the 2027 NFL Draft goes to function top-of-the-line crops of wideout expertise within the occasion’s historical past. On par with the 2020 class, which produced the likes of Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk and CeeDee Lamb. 

Even higher, if you happen to think about the potential depth. Week 1 was the right showcase for a fully loaded crop of true freshman extensive receiver expertise. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, after one of the crucial buzz-worthy offseasons in latest historical past, greater than lived as much as the hype with 97 yards and two touchdowns via the air in opposition to Akron. 

Cam Coleman’s first profession catch with Auburn went for a 44-yard landing. His teammate and fellow freshman Perry Thompson had two catches for 82 yards and one landing. Alabama’s Ryan Williams had two catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns within the first half in opposition to Western Kentucky. 

Although he did not rating, Ryan Wingo led Texas in receiving with 4 catches for 70 yards. That is with out mentioning former 5 stars like TJ Moore (Clemson), Micah Hudson (Texas Tech) and Gatlin Bair (Oregon) who both did not play or did not get any alternatives. Simply an unprecedented quantity of expertise in a single class, and it did not take lengthy to materialize into a big impression on the sector. 

Travis Hunter ought to win the Heisman Trophy 

No, two-way gamers aren’t a brand new idea in faculty soccer. There have been stars with a tangible impression on each side of the ball earlier than. 

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is on a unique degree, although. He is the perfect participant on the sector, on any given Saturday, at two completely different positions. He is a legit top-five choose within the 2025 NFL Draft as both a large receiver or cornerback. 

The Buffaloes’ season-opening win in opposition to North Dakota State was a micro showcase of Hunter’s potential. He performed 129 snaps, lacking solely two performs. He’ll do that each one season with out breaking a sweat. 

And he’ll do it at an elite degree. He caught three of Shedeur Sanders’ 4 landing passes in opposition to the Bison, together with this ridiculous circus seize: 

The Heisman Trophy ought to go to the perfect participant in faculty soccer. Nobody suits that invoice higher than Hunter, it doesn’t matter what Colorado accomplishes on the sector.