As Coldplay once said, "Confusion that never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks."
There may be no better way to describe the pure shenanigans that welcomed the 2026 college football season. While we are so glad ball is finally be played again, there were plenty who started the campaign off with some serious setbacks. From game clock operators to damaging losses and not much entertainment, there were lowlights all around, thus earning a spot in the opening edition of the 2026 Flop 10.
Clocks in Michigan
Talk about a bailout.
Western Michigan was all set to embarrass the debut of Kyle Whittingham in Ann Arbor when it looked like it secured a 12-7 win. But by some miracle, there was still time left for Michigan to get one last shot, and it capitalized on it with
a Hail Mary to save the day.
It was a confusing mess, and the fact it was Big Ten officiating responsible made it even more questionable it let one of its major programs avoid an ugly loss. Even though the Big Ten deserves credit for explaining its reasoning, and the Broncos and MAC accepting the decision, that doesn't stop the much deserved criticism for it, like why aren't all the clocks used for the public and replay system synchronized? It's got major stink written all over it.
A win for transparency, but a major loss in controversy.
Rutgers
For what happened in 1869, Rutgers is known as the birthplace of college football. In 2026, it may be regretting that decision.
The Scarlet Knights were embarrassed by perennial loser Massachusetts to kick off the season, with the Minutemen dominating in a 37-21 game.
While it's never good for a Power conference team to lose to a Group of Six foe, words don't fully encapsulate how humiliating the loss was. UMass has never been a good FBS squad, only winning 28 games since 2012 and was coming off an 0-12 campaign. Rutgers was heavily favored and laid an egg. Give credit to the Minutemen turning it around, but it's still a bad look for the Scarlet Knights.
The pain didn't stop at the final whistle. After getting blown out, Rutgers went on to have a post-game fireworks show for the fans who decided to stick around. Of course it was pre-planned and wouldn't be canceled, but just really hammers home the pain in Piscataway.
Rutgers’ postgame fireworks still went off after a stunning upset loss to UMass. pic.twitter.com/KdzNFaddUK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 4, 2026
Michigan State
The Spartans were able to hold off Toledo in Pat Fitzgerald's debut, but it had some revealing hiccups along the way.
First was running back Cam Edwards, who had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction when his pants were pulled down on a tackle that was borderline-NFSW.
He did whatever it took to make the tackle happen… pants included 🤣 pic.twitter.com/V2yp0F2Epi
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
Then came a real offensive moment: on a 2-point conversion, right tackle Robert Wright Jr. threw up mid-play. Not only that, but he threw up on the Toledo defensive line players.
Ultimate party foul.
Puke alert pic.twitter.com/sDnlIsgM1D
— Matt Henkel (@mattdhenkel) September 5, 2026
Bowling Green
Congratulations to Eddie George and company on becoming the first FBS team to lose to a FCS squad this season, with Tarleton State taking down the Falcons, 20-13.
While it will always happen, it's not often you see an FBS team get completely outplayed by an FCS opponent. The Texans jumped out for a 17-0 lead and Bowling Green couldn't recover, leading to a rare wire-to-wire win for the FCS after running back Tylan Hines amassed a 250-yard day.
It shouldn't be viewed as a total surprise given Tarleton State is making a case in its desire to move up to FBS, but it's just the latest thing not going well for Bowling Green. It went 4-8 in George's first season, and it doesn't look like it will be getting much better.
Oklahoma State
Remember when Eric Morris and Drew Mestemaker coming over from North Texas made the Cowboys a dark horse contender? It was good while it lasted.
Turns out the rebuild in Stillwater is going to take more time than thought after Oklahoma State got completely outplayed at Tulsa in a 24-10 loss. It's quite shocking given how good Morris' North Texas offense was last season, and it made sense it would carry over for the Pokes, especially in a favorable in-state matchup.
Now, Oklahoma State is the unfortunate owner of the longest losing streak in the country at 12 games. After Saturday, it may continue with No. 2 Oregon coming to town.
Charlotte
Another FBS loss to FCS came by way of Charlotte. The 49ers fell to The Citadel in a 43-41 triple overtime thriller.
What's unfortunate is the Bulldogs aren't one of the top FCS squads. It's coming off a 4-8 season, and lost to Wofford by 28 points in its season opener. You would think Charlotte would have been able to handle its opponent, but instead had to keep pace with it all day before it couldn't score the 2-point conversion needed in the third overtime.
It continues a tough tenure for Tim Albin, coming off a 1-11 season and now on a 10-game losing skid.
Willie Wildcat
You wouldn't think Kansas State would have a loser in its crushing 71-3 win over Nicholls to open the Collin Klein era, but it comes by way of the mascot.
Like many schools, Kansas State mascot Willie Wildcat does a pushup for every point scored. Given the outburst the Wildcats had, Willie certainly got his workout in, and by the 71st point, did the absolute bare minimum in some questionable pushups.
Willie Wildcat.
— Wyatt Wheeler (@WyattWheeler_) September 6, 2026
After Kansas State went up 71-3.
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/xkGIZ3tNLm
Listen, we know pushups aren't easy, and not many people can do that many, let alone a total of 394 in one night. But if you're a powercat, you can't be looking like this. Big hit to the ego.
Pac-12
The Conference of Champions returned, and it wasn't the debut it hoped for.
Boise State put up a valiant effort against Oregon, but it was unable to secure the victory, and that was a consistent issue for the Pac-12 in Week 1. The league went a 2-6 to start the season, with the only notable win being Colorado State over rival Wyoming. San Diego State got the other win over Portland State.
But those six losses were tough. It included Utah State losing to FCS Idaho State, Fresno State shut out by Southern California and Texas State's offense getting mauled by Texas.
Not the reintroduction you hope for.
Heat
It still is summer, but boy were people feeling the effects of some unfortunately timed games. From Texas to Arkansas, people had no choice but get out of the blistering heat and find some safety in the concourses for shade. That's not a fun way to start 2026.
So many heat casualties at this Texas State vs Texas game. I haven't seen anything like this in a long time. Already seen paramedics bring 4 stretches in and it's still Q1. People are huddled in the stadium like it's a hurricane shelter. 2:30pm kickoff is a certified disaster. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/Z5DiZfgWy2
— Hunter Schuler (@hunterschuler) September 5, 2026
And it got so ridiculous, we had a college football game end in a tie because it was too hot!
Need those fall temperatures immediately.
Close games
Did it feel like the majority of Week 1 was boring? Well, that's because it was.
It was blowout galore as so many games got out of hand. There were some dramatic moments, but there were only a select few over the busy schedule.
Of the 90 games played in Week 1, the average margin of victory was 32.3 points. Only 12 games were decided by single-digits, making for several games worth changing the channel for by the end of the third quarter, even halftime.
Let's hope for more entertainment in Week 2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football Week 1 Flop 10: Michigan's clock, Pac-12's return, FCS upsets
