Kirk Herbstreit highlights top performing teams of Week 1
Each week, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit watches the action across the country before releasing a list of the top performing teams he saw. Whether a team overachieves, surprises with a new look or simply dominates at all levels, all teams big and small have a place in these rankings.
That idea has never been more evident in Week 1 of the 2022 season as Kirk Herbstreit scans across five conferences to find six teams which showcased something special as a unit. With Old Dominion coming out at No. 1 on the list thanks to an upset win against Virginia Tech, the Group of Five conferences get some early recognition after showcasing their strength in front of a national audience.
The only conference to place two teams on the list is the SEC, which saw Florida pull off an upset over No. 7 Utah while Georgia rooted No. 11 Oregon in impressive fashion. Arizona’s spot comes thanks to a surprise new-look offense which appeared ready to compete well above the level of the 2021 group. After rumors that Dino Babers could face the hot seat this season, Syracuse also got off to a hot start. Rounding out the list, Rutgers pulled out a win against a Power Five opponent and created some optimism about the season outlook in the Big Ten.
Kirk Herbstreit’s top performing teams of Week 1
1. Old Dominion
The 20-17 win over in-state rival Virginia Tech on Friday night drew widespread attention in the world of college football. When given a rare chance to host an ACC opponent at SB Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, they made the most of it by scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute before sealing the game with an interception.
2. Georgia
The 49-3 win over Oregon put away any doubts that Georgia had the amount of returning talent needed to compete for another national championship. A big opener for Stetson Bennett also built belief that the starting quarterback could take another step forward in his progression ahead of the SEC schedule.
3. Florida
Starting the Billy Napier era with a 29-26 win over Utah did plenty of good for the team and the fanbase which supported the Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. A big-time showing from quarterback Anthony Richardson now has people believing Florida’s offense can do special things.
4. Arizona
A road win – or win of any kind – would have done Arizona well to start the season after a rough stretch in recent years. But a convincing 38-20 win over a well-thought-of San Diego State team which saw big production from new players made them look like a completely different program.
5. Syracuse
A run of bad seasons for Syracuse after a brief stint on the national stage created unrest. However, the Orange dominated an experienced Louisville team 31-7. The work of Sean Tucker in the backfield continues to be a bright spot looking ahead to the rest of the season.
6. Rutgers
Rutgers got a 22-21 road win over Boston College to open the season. After falling behind by nine points in the third quarter, the Scarlett Knights rallied late to score 10 unanswered points capped off with a 22-yard run with less than three minutes left.