Saturday night in Death Valley was billed as Lane Kiffin's debut, the former Ole Miss coach taking over at LSU on the sport's opening weekend. All the buzz centered on Kiffin's arrival and last week's courtroom theatrics. By the final whistle, LSU's 51-10 beatdown of Clemson put the conversation back where it belonged, on the field.
LSU made clear they're built to contend now. Clemson, coming off a 7-6 season, managed just four first downs through three quarters. Swinney has resisted the portal while Kiffin leaned on 43 newcomers, riding them to 500-plus yards of offense. "We got our ass kicked," Swinney said postgame. It's the worst loss of his tenure, leaving a program with a $50 million-plus buyout facing real questions.
First-time starting quarterbacks
More than 30 FBS programs have new head coaches, but Saturday belonged to two first-time starters. Alabama's Keelon Russell went 17 of 29 for 249 yards and a score, adding 86 rushing yards in a win over East Carolina.
Elsewhere, Tennessee's Faizon Brandon delivered immediately, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 68 yards and two more scores against Furman.
Ole Miss-Louisville delivers game of the weekend
Trinidad Chambliss looked nothing like a Heisman contender for a half, throwing a pick and losing a fumble. He snapped back into form in the second half, throwing for 351 yards and three touchdowns, setting up Lucas Carneiro's 48-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
Louisville made it a thriller, tying the game late behind first-time starter Lincoln Kienholz, but Ole Miss escaped 41-38 in the week's only matchup between ranked teams.
Pete Nakos has plenty more from a loaded weekend, including a crowded Heisman race, Michigan's offense surviving a scare, Auburn's statement win, and the Group of Six team serving notice that it belongs in the Playoff conversation.
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