As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

CFP128: Opening Round

• • • • •

Welcome to the round of 128!

Below? The Bracket.

Scroll down for results!


CFP 128 — Round One Official Results

#1 Ohio St 63 #129 Kent St 0

Ohio State opened the tournament with a statement so loud it practically shook the entire bracket. Kent State never found an answer, and the Buckeyes made it clear that the road to the championship runs straight through Columbus.

#65 North Texas 28 #64 Rutgers 20

The first real bracket surprise arrived early as North Texas knocked off Rutgers in a battle between nearly identical seeds. The Mean Green held their nerve down the stretch and earned themselves a place in the Round of 64.

#32 Pitt 45 #97 Georgia Southern 10

Pitt made short work of Georgia Southern, turning what could have been a competitive matchup into a one-sided affair. The Panthers advance comfortably, looking every bit like a team capable of making noise in the next round.

#33 Penn State 41 #96 Wyoming 7

Penn State delivered a convincing performance, overwhelming Wyoming on both sides of the ball. The Nittany Lions barely broke a sweat as they booked their ticket to the Round of 64.

#16 USC 56 #113 South Alabama 21

USC brought its trademark firepower, scoring freely and putting South Alabama under pressure from the opening whistle. The Trojans advance with an emphatic win, although they'll need to keep that offensive engine humming against tougher opposition.

#80 Air Force 23 #49 Boise State 13

Air Force delivered one of the round's biggest upsets, grounding Boise State with a disciplined, hard-nosed performance. The Falcons turned the seeding expectations upside down and proved that reputation means nothing once the game begins.

#17 Houston 45 #112 FIU 14

Houston took care of business against FIU, combining explosive offense with enough defensive pressure to keep the Panthers at arm's length. The Cougars advance without much trouble and can now turn their attention toward a much more challenging tournament run.

#48 Arkansas 35 #81 Tulane 17

Arkansas came out on top in a matchup that offered Tulane a chance to spring an upset. The Razorbacks kept control of the contest and pulled away to secure a comfortable victory.

#8 Texas Tech 59 #121 C. Michigan 0

Texas Tech delivered a complete demolition, shutting out Central Michigan while piling up points at an alarming rate. A 59-point victory without surrendering a single point is about as emphatic a first-round message as any team could send.

#72 Purdue 34 #57 New Mexico 31

Purdue survived a thriller, edging New Mexico by just three points in one of the round's closest finishes. The Boilermakers will happily take the victory, but their narrow escape suggests the next round may demand an even sharper performance.

#25 Oregon 63 #104 Toledo 28

Oregon turned this one into an offensive showcase, putting up 63 points while keeping Toledo chasing the game. The Rockets managed 28 points of their own, but the Ducks had too much speed and firepower to be caught.

#40 Florida 38 #89 Oregon St 35

Florida escaped with a three-point victory in a nail-biter that could have gone either way. Oregon State pushed the Gators to the limit, but Florida made just enough plays to keep its tournament hopes alive.

#9 LSU 52 #120 UAB 13

LSU showed its teeth against UAB, combining a powerful offense with a performance that left little doubt about the outcome. The Tigers advance decisively and look ready for a much bigger challenge.

#56 Arizona State 42 #73 James Madison 14

Arizona State made the most of its opportunity, racing past James Madison with a convincing 28-point victory. The Sun Devils advance after controlling the contest and never allowing the Dukes to build meaningful momentum.

#24 Minnesota 44 #105 Louisiana Tech 14

Minnesota delivered a comfortable win, pulling away from Louisiana Tech and keeping the Bulldogs from making a serious comeback. The Golden Gophers advance with confidence after a performance that was convincing from start to finish.


#41 Virginia Tech 28 #88 Tulsa 24

Virginia Tech had to work for this one, holding off a determined Tulsa team in a four-point battle. The Hokies survived the pressure and move forward, while the Golden Hurricane are left wondering what might have been.

#4 Miami 41 #130 Middle Tennessee 6

Miami handled Middle Tennessee with the kind of authority expected from a top-four seed. The Hurricanes kept the Blue Raiders out of the end zone and advanced without ever appearing seriously threatened.

#68 Georgia Tech 42 #61 USF 28

Georgia Tech knocked off USF in an entertaining contest between closely matched seeds. The Yellow Jackets found another gear offensively and turned a competitive game into a convincing victory, sending the Bulls home earlier than expected.

#29 SMU 48 #100 Washington St 12

SMU put on an offensive clinic, scoring 48 points while holding Washington State to just a dozen. The Mustangs advance in style and have every reason to believe they can give the higher seeds a serious fight.

#36 Louisville 37 #93 J'ville St 20

Louisville kept Jacksonville State from completing an upset, gradually taking control and building a comfortable winning margin. The Cardinals advance after a solid all-around performance that leaves little doubt about who deserved the victory.

#13 Texas 62 #116 Hawaii 10

Texas overwhelmed Hawaii in a dominant display, combining a relentless offense with a defense that kept the Rainbow Warriors from gaining traction. The Longhorns advance with 62 points on the board and a serious warning for the rest of the bracket.

#77 Syracuse 27 #52 West Virginia 24

Syracuse pulled off a major upset, edging West Virginia by three points in a tense finish. The Orange showed plenty of fight against the higher seed, and their reward is a place in the Round of 64

#20 Mississippi St 49 #109 Arkansas St 10

Mississippi State made sure there would be no upset story here, racing past Arkansas State with an emphatic performance. The Bulldogs put 49 points on the board and advanced looking every bit the stronger side.

#84 Texas State 35 #45 Washington 31

Texas State delivered one of the round's biggest surprises, taking down Washington in a four-point thriller. The Bobcats refused to be intimidated by the seeding gap and came away with a tournament victory to remember.

#5 Alabama 69 #124 Bowling Green 0

Alabama was absolutely ruthless, blanking Bowling Green while scoring 69 unanswered points. The Crimson Tide didn't just advance; they issued a full-blown warning to every team left in the tournament.

#69 Maryland 25 #60 California 24

Maryland stole a heartbreaker, edging California by a single point in one of the round's tightest finishes. The Golden Bears came within a whisker of advancing, but the Terrapins found just enough to survive.

#28 South Carolina 45 #101 Co Carolina 9

South Carolina took control early and never gave Coastal Carolina a realistic chance to mount an upset. The Gamecocks cruised to a 36-point victory and advanced with their sights firmly set on the next round.

#37 Michigan 31 #92 Old Dominion 3

Michigan's defense did most of the talking, limiting Old Dominion to a single field goal. The Wolverines combined defensive discipline with enough offense to secure a comfortable win and keep their tournament campaign rolling.

#12 Tennessee 58 #117 Buffalo 13

Tennessee overwhelmed Buffalo with a high-powered offensive performance that produced 58 points. The Volunteers advance emphatically, leaving little doubt that they intend to be a major factor in the Miami bracket.

#53 NC State 30 #76 Stanford 20

NC State took care of Stanford in a solid ten-point victory, avoiding the sort of late-game scare that has troubled several favorites. The Wolfpack advance after controlling the key moments and keeping the Cardinal at a manageable distance.

#21 Iowa 27 #108 Temple 0

Iowa delivered a classic defensive shutout, keeping Temple off the scoreboard from beginning to end. The Hawkeyes didn't need fireworks to get the job done; they simply shut the door and marched into the next round.

#44 Duke 37 #85 Western Michigan 7

Duke made quick work of Western Michigan, producing a convincing victory that sends the Blue Devils through comfortably. The Broncos struggled to keep pace, and Duke will now look to carry that momentum into the Round of 64.


#2 Georgia 66 #132 Southern Miss 0

Georgia opened its tournament with a performance that was every bit as intimidating as the seeding suggested. The Bulldogs scored 66 points without allowing a single one, delivering one of the round's most lopsided results.


#63 Iowa State 31 #66 FAU 14

Iowa State handled FAU in a matchup between closely seeded teams, pulling away to secure a 17-point win. The Cyclones advance after a disciplined performance that kept the Owls from turning the game into a genuine contest.


#31 Arizona 45 #98 San Diego St 23

Arizona's offense proved too much for San Diego State, putting up 45 points in a comfortable victory. The Aztecs managed to find the scoreboard, but the Wildcats maintained control and moved confidently into the next round.


#34 Virginia 41 #95 UConn 21

Virginia took care of UConn with a convincing 20-point victory, using its offensive advantage to create separation as the game progressed. The Cavaliers advance with their tournament hopes intact and a solid opening performance behind them.


#15 Utah 45 #114 Liberty 20

Utah demonstrated why it earned a top-15 seed, controlling Liberty and finishing with a comfortable 25-point margin. The Utes advance after a strong all-around showing and will be looking to make a deeper run in the Georgia bracket.


#79 Army 21 #50 Cincinnati 20

Army produced one of the tournament's most dramatic upsets, slipping past Cincinnati by a single point. The Black Knights kept fighting against the higher seed and emerged victorious in a game that Cincinnati will be replaying in its head for a long time.


#18 Wisconsin 38 #111 Delaware 17

Wisconsin took care of business against Delaware, building a comfortable lead and finishing with a 21-point victory. The Badgers advance, and the prospect of a deeper tournament run will have fans dreaming of another memorable Wisconsin football campaign.


#47 Texas A&M 27 #82 ECU 10

Texas A&M kept East Carolina under control, limiting the Pirates to ten points while producing enough offense to win comfortably. The Aggies advance without too much drama and remain a dangerous opponent for anyone ahead of them.

#7 Indiana 45 #122 San Jose State 7

Indiana delivered an emphatic victory, scoring 45 points while holding San Jose State to a single touchdown. The Hoosiers advance in commanding fashion, making it clear that their high seeding is backed by plenty of firepower.

#71 North Dakota St 35 #58 UCF 27

North Dakota State added another memorable chapter to its football story, knocking off UCF by eight points. The Bison overcame the seeding disadvantage and demonstrated once again that a strong football program can make life miserable for supposedly superior opponents.

#26 Oklahoma St 42 #103 Appalachian St 24

Oklahoma State found its rhythm against Appalachian State, putting up 42 points and pulling away for a convincing victory. The Cowboys advance after an impressive offensive display, while the Mountaineers' hopes of a first-round upset come to an end.


#39 Clemson 35 #90 UMass 31

Clemson survived a scare, holding off UMass in a four-point thriller. The Tigers escaped with the win, but the Minutemen showed that even a substantial seeding gap offers no guarantee of an easy afternoon.

#10 Ole Miss 51 #119 Kennesaw State 10

Ole Miss put Kennesaw State away with a commanding offensive performance, crossing the 50-point mark in the process. The Rebels advance comfortably and will be hoping to carry that scoring punch deeper into the tournament.

#55 Baylor 34 #74 Kansas 24

Baylor came through in a competitive matchup with Kansas, building a ten-point winning margin and advancing to the next round. The Bears did enough at the key moments to keep the Jayhawks at bay and avoid an early exit.

#23 UCLA 42 #106 Louisiana 13

UCLA delivered a strong performance against Louisiana, winning by 29 points and controlling the game from start to finish. The Bruins advance with a convincing victory that keeps their tournament ambitions firmly on track.

#42 Memphis 38 #87 Boston College 20

Memphis finished off Boston College with a solid 18-point victory, combining offensive production with enough defensive resistance to prevent a serious challenge. The Tigers advance, adding another team to the growing list of dangerous middle seeds in this bracket.


#3 Notre Dame 54 #126 Rice 0

Notre Dame began its tournament campaign with a ruthless shutout, scoring 54 points while keeping Rice completely off the board. The Fighting Irish advanced in emphatic fashion, looking every bit like a legitimate championship contender.

#67 UNLV 38 #62 Michigan State 21

UNLV pulled off an impressive upset, beating Michigan State by 17 points despite entering the matchup as the lower seed. The Rebels controlled the contest and made the Spartans pay for failing to turn their seeding advantage into a victory.

#30 Oklahoma 40 #99 Colorado State 14

Oklahoma put Colorado State away with a convincing 26-point win, combining steady scoring with a defense that limited the Rams to two touchdowns. The Sooners advance comfortably and will be looking to make their presence felt in the next round.

#35 Auburn 38 #94 Ohio 13

Auburn handled Ohio with little difficulty, producing a balanced performance that resulted in a 25-point victory. The Tigers advance with confidence, while the Bobcats are left to reflect on a tournament run that ended sooner than hoped.

#14 BYU 49 #115 Western Kentucky 10

BYU delivered a dominant performance against Western Kentucky, scoring 49 points and keeping the Hilltoppers from mounting a serious challenge. The Cougars advance decisively and remain a team that higher seeds would be wise not to overlook.

#51 Kansas State 34 #78 Fresno State 28

Kansas State survived a spirited Fresno State challenge, holding on for a six-point victory. The Wildcats advance, but the Bulldogs made them earn every bit of it in a contest that stayed competitive until the end.

#19 Wake Forest 56 #110 Georgia State 3

Wake Forest overwhelmed Georgia State, putting 56 points on the board while allowing just a field goal. The Demon Deacons produced one of the round's most dominant performances and move forward with plenty of momentum.

#46 North Carolina 31 #83 Miami (OH) 3

North Carolina shut down Miami (OH), limiting the RedHawks to three points in a comfortable victory. The Tar Heels advance after a strong defensive showing that never allowed their opponents to find any real rhythm.

#6 Kentucky 42 #123 Utah State 0

Kentucky turned in a complete performance, shutting out Utah State while scoring 42 points of its own. The Wildcats made the most of their top-six seeding and advanced without giving their opponent even a glimpse of an upset.

#70 TCU 33 #59 UTSA 30

TCU edged UTSA by three points in another tightly contested matchup, surviving a determined effort from the higher-seeded Roadrunners. The Horned Frogs found a way to win when it mattered, earning their place in the Round of 64 by the narrowest of margins.

#27 Northwestern 45 #102 Marshall 12

Northwestern produced a convincing victory over Marshall, scoring 45 points and holding the Thundering Herd to just 12. The Wildcats advance comfortably, demonstrating the sort of consistency that could serve them well in the rounds ahead.

#38 Illinois 31 #91 Troy 14

Illinois took control against Troy and came away with a solid 17-point win. The Fighting Illini advance after a dependable performance, while Troy's hopes of extending its tournament stay disappear.

#11 Missouri 52 #118 E. Michigan 7

Missouri put on an offensive show against Eastern Michigan, scoring 52 points while allowing just one touchdown. The Tigers advanced in convincing fashion, sending a clear message that their top-15 seeding is no accident.

#54 Florida St 35 #75 Colorado 28

Florida State held off Colorado in a seven-point contest that gave both teams plenty of opportunity to make their mark. The Seminoles did enough to secure the win, but the Buffaloes made them work for their place in the next round.

#22 Nebraska 38 #107 Nevada 14

Nebraska took care of Nevada with a comfortable 24-point victory, keeping the Wolf Pack from building any sustained momentum. The Cornhuskers advance with a strong opening result and will hope to turn it into a deeper run through the bracket.

#86 Navy 23 #43 Vanderbilt 20 

Navy closed the round with a memorable upset, edging Vanderbilt by three points despite a significant seeding disadvantage. The Midshipmen showed grit when it counted, sending the Commodores home and proving that no seed is safe in this tournament.



 
⚠ RESTRICTED ARCHIVE
CLASSIFIED VAULT RECORD
Clearance Required
SUBJECT:
ARCHIVE:
ORIGIN:
STATUS: RESTRICTED
This record has been sealed inside the Sovereign Vault.

Authorization is required before its contents may be revealed.
FILE: SV-CLASSIFIED
FILE DECLASSIFIED
πŸ”“ AUTHORIZED RELEASE
Sovereign Vault Record
ARCHIVE STATUS: RELEASED
πŸ” ENTER DECLASSIFIED FILE →
🎲 FEELING LUCKY?
Let the Vault choose your next discovery.