The Week 1 result that seems really meaningful but turns out not to be is a time-honored tradition in college football.
The gold standard of this category is the infamous “Texas is back” game in 2016 when the Longhorns beat Notre Dame in overtime.
The victory pushed coach Charlie Strong’s team from unranked in the preseason to No. 11. There was a lot of excitement — and then Texas and Notre Dame went on to finish the season a combined 9-15.
Whoops.
No. 21 Duke and No. 22 Colorado rode big upsets in high-profile games this past weekend to spots in the first regular-season AP Top 25 Tuesday.
There is especially a feeling of uncertainty that lingers around Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes, who were stunningly competent and explosive in beating TCU with an almost completely new roster, a substantial chunk of which arrived after spring practice.
TCU was last season’s biggest surprise. Coming off a losing season, unranked in the preseason and with a new coach, the Horned Frogs rode a string of comebacks and close victories to the CFP championship game.
As fun as it was catching Saturday’s game in Fort Worth, Texas, it’s probably fair to wonder: Did we just watch a couple of 6-6 teams?
It should be noted, if Coach Prime can take a program that has been about the worst in Power Five for about a decade and get it to a bowl game in Year 1, he should be in the running for AP coach of the year.
There is no shame for a program that has been down-trodden for so long to reach the rankings in September before leveling off. Kansas reached as high as No. 19 last season before finishing 6-7 and unranked. It was still a resounding success for the Jayhawks.
So Reality Check asks the question: Have Sanders and CU already peaked? Or are they just getting started?
No. 1 Georgia (1-0)
Next: vs. Ball State, Saturday.
Reality check: We can start paying attention to the Bulldogs in Week 3 when South Carolina visits.
Ranking: Just right.
