NCAA football is back with a bang, and fans across the country are eager to catch every moment of the 2024 season. From thrilling upsets to dominant victories, Week 1 has already delivered some memorable games. Teams from across the nation, including those ranked in the NCAA top 25, are fighting for their place in the spotlight.
With schools like NC State, North Carolina, and Colorado kicking off the season with electrifying matchups, this year’s games promise plenty of excitement.
In the 2024 opener, No. 24 NC State secured a hard-fought victory against Western Carolina, overcoming a rocky start to win 38-21.
Similarly, Colorado pulled out a narrow win against North Dakota State, escaping with a 31-26 triumph.
In contrast, the SEC schools showed no mercy, with Arkansas crushing Arkansas Pine Bluff 70-0 and Missouri dominating Murray State 51-0.
Key Week 1 NCAA Football Games and Scores
| Game | Final Score | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| NC State vs. Western Carolina | 38-21 (NC State win) | NC State scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter |
| Colorado vs. North Dakota State | 31-26 (Colorado win) | Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter connected for 3 touchdowns |
| North Carolina vs. Minnesota | 19-17 (North Carolina win) | North Carolina’s defense held off a last-second field goal attempt |
| Arkansas vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff | 70-0 (Arkansas win) | Arkansas dominated from start to finish with a shutout victory |
| Missouri vs. Murray State | 51-0 (Missouri win) | No. 11 Missouri dismantled Murray State with ease |
Thrilling NCAA Football Week 1 Games
The opening week of the NCAA football season brought fans some nail-biting matchups. NC State’s game against Western Carolina, for example, was more competitive than the final score suggests.
Western Carolina, a massive underdog, took a surprising 21-17 lead into the third quarter.
However, NC State quarterback Grayson McCall rallied his team with a spectacular fourth-quarter performance, including a crucial 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin Concepcion.
The Wolfpack closed out the game with 21 unanswered points to secure the win.
Another exciting contest came in the form of Colorado vs. North Dakota State. NDSU came tantalizingly close to pulling off an upset as they fell just short on a last-second Hail Mary attempt, losing 31-26.
Colorado’s quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Travis Hunter were the stars of the show, connecting for three touchdowns.
NC State vs. Western Carolina
NC State entered their season opener ranked No. 24, and while they were expected to win, Western Carolina’s strong performance kept the Wolfpack on edge for most of the game. In the end, depth and experience helped NC State pull away in the fourth quarter.
Colorado vs. North Dakota State
NDSU is well-known for their resilience and often challenges major schools in early-season games. Colorado, however, managed to avoid an upset, thanks in large part to their connection between Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
Their offensive firepower proved just enough to fend off NDSU’s last-minute comeback effort.
Dominant Performances in Week 1
While some games were close, others were over by halftime. Two SEC schools, Arkansas and Missouri, asserted their dominance in blowout victories.
Arkansas vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff
Arkansas made a statement in their opening game by dismantling Arkansas Pine Bluff 70-0. The Razorbacks were in control from start to finish, with their offense firing on all cylinders and their defense not allowing a single point.
Missouri vs. Murray State
Similarly, No. 11 Missouri showcased their strength with a 51-0 shutout victory over Murray State. Missouri’s offense dominated, and their defense kept the Racers off the scoreboard.
Impact on the Rankings
With the Week 1 games in the books, the NCAA football rankings will soon shift based on these early performances.
The current rankings of teams like NC State and Missouri reflect their impressive showings, while the narrow escapes by Colorado and North Carolina will also play into how teams are positioned in the next polls.
Here are the current top 5 rankings as of Week 1:
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Ohio State
- Alabama
- LSU
While these top teams all enjoyed dominant wins in their respective matchups, other teams in the top 25 like NC State and Colorado will be fighting to rise in the rankings as the season progresses.
Top 5 Ranked Teams and Week 1 Results
| Rank | Team | Week 1 Result | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | Win | UT Martin | 48-7 |
| 2 | Michigan | Win | East Carolina | 30-3 |
| 3 | Ohio State | Win | Indiana | 23-3 |
| 4 | Alabama | Win | Middle Tennessee | 56-7 |
| 5 | LSU | Win | Grambling | 63-10 |
NCAA Football Playoffs: What to Expect
The NCAA football playoffs remain one of the most exciting parts of the season, with the top teams in the nation battling for a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
The 2024 season is shaping up to be an intense race to the top, as teams like Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama once again look like strong contenders for the playoffs.
The addition of more competitive teams to the mix, such as NC State and Missouri, adds more drama to the playoff picture.
With the expanded playoffs coming soon, the competition will only get fiercer, with teams needing to put together both strong regular-season performances and impressive showings in conference championships.
Upcoming NCAA Football Games to Watch
With Week 1 in the books, here are a few upcoming NCAA football games that are sure to draw attention:
- Georgia vs. South Carolina: An early SEC matchup that will test Georgia’s dominance.
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: A clash of titans that could shake up the top of the rankings.
- Alabama vs. Texas: A high-profile non-conference game that could impact both teams’ playoff hopes.
- LSU vs. Florida State: A battle between two powerhouse programs with playoff ambitions.
These games will not only entertain but could also play a huge role in determining which teams stay in contention for the CFP.
NCAA Football Video Game Fans Await NCAA Football 25
Fans of the popular NCAA Football video game series have been eagerly awaiting the return of the game, which is slated to release in 2025.
After the franchise was discontinued in 2014 due to legal disputes surrounding player likenesses, the NCAA Football series is making a comeback.
The return of this game has generated significant excitement, especially among fans who grew up playing previous versions.
Many fans are curious about what the gameplay will look like, how realistic the graphics will be, and how closely the game will mirror the actual teams and players of the 2024 NCAA season.
The NCAA Football 25 release date is still pending, but it’s already one of the most anticipated sports games in recent history.
FAQs: NCAA Football Scores and Games
Q: How are NCAA football teams ranked?
A: NCAA football teams are ranked based on their performance in games, strength of schedule, and other factors. The AP Poll and the Coaches Poll are two primary ranking systems used during the season.
Q: Where can I find the latest NCAA football scores?
A: The latest NCAA football scores can be found on sports websites like ESPN and NCAA’s official website, where they offer real-time updates and live stats.
Q: How does the College Football Playoff system work?
A: The College Football Playoff system selects the top four teams based on rankings, strength of schedule, and performance. These teams compete in a playoff to determine the national champion.
Q: What are the most exciting games to watch this season?
A: Some of the most anticipated games include Georgia vs. South Carolina, Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Alabama vs. Texas, and LSU vs. Florida State.
Q: When does NCAA Football 25 release?
A: NCAA Football 25 is expected to release in 2025, marking the return of the popular video game franchise.
Conclusion: NCAA Football is Back in Full Force
With a thrilling Week 1 and many more exciting games on the horizon, the 2024 NCAA football season is shaping up to be one for the books.
Stay tuned for more updates on games, rankings, and everything else you need to know about the NCAA football season!
