Ranked matchups and high-stakes showdowns between conference championship and College Football Playoff contenders will pick up in volume as the 2024 season progresses. But even in an opening week that pits most premier squads against overmatched competition, there are still more than a handful of impactful contests. Marquee Week 1 battles like the neutral-site clash between Georgia and Clemson are sure to leave a lasting impression on the CFP committee.
It took all of one day for the race to the debut 12-team Playoff to hit a detour. Florida State’s loss to Georgia Tech in the Week 0 opener was a stunner that shook up the national pecking order, opening an avenue for other ACC teams to earn an automatic bid and for bubble squads to step closer to an at-large spot.
Increased access to the CFP means that more teams will play in more impactful games, and that they will do so later into the season than ever before.
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Here are the Week 1 games with the greatest impact on the College Football Playoff race: