<body><div><p>What are the key questions that could be answered in Week 1 of the new college football season?</p><p>As the 2024 college football season kicks off, <a href="https://247sports.com/longformarticle/college-football-2024-season-primer-50-things-to-know-before-week-1-234905087/">Week 1 is poised to answer some of the biggest offseason questions</a> and set the tone for the months ahead. With a slew of new head coaches stepping into the spotlight at major programs, the early challenges they face will be closely scrutinized. Many teams in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings confront a crucial campaign to meet high expectations or rebound from a disappointing year in 2023. Meanwhile, Florida State is just trying to bounce back from a shocker in Week 0.</p><p>From the impact of new offensive approaches at places like Nebraska and Penn State, to the effectiveness of Alabama under coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Kalen-DeBoer-3580">Kalen DeBoer</a>, this season promises to be filled with intrigue and high stakes. As action-packed as Week 0 was despite only a handful of games, the Week 1 slate is set to deliver even more excitement and pivotal moments.</p><p>So, what are the biggest questions heading into this loaded Week 1 in college football?</p><p>Below is a closer look at the 10 biggest questions heading into Week 1 of the college football season:</p><h2>1. Will the new in-helmet communication face any hurdles?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Tgqnj_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Tgqnj_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Teams had much of spring and all summer to get acclimated to <a href="https://247sports.com/article/college-footballs-new-in-helmet-communication-a-game-changer-sec-head-coaches-say-234687041/">the new in-helmet communication technology now allowed in college football</a>. But will there be any hurdles with the systems in Week 1? Well, there already was last Saturday at the season opener in Dublin, Ireland. Florida State coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Mike-Norvell-750">Mike Norvell</a> revealed Wednesday that <a href="https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/longformarticle/florida-state-seminoles-football-mike-norvell-coordinators-press-conference-235222156/">the helmet communication for Georgia Tech went down at one point during the game</a>, so the Seminoles stopped using theirs as well. </p><p>"The helmet communication, I mean, it was good," Norvell said, via Noles247. "In the second half they said that their helmet communication went down. We actually weren't using it there in part of the second half because the official came over and told me it went out. Whenever we tried to use it, it wasn't in full operation there later in the game. That was all part of it."</p><h2>2. Will any new head coaches stumble in their debut?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3CDRi6_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3CDRi6_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Texas A&amp;M Athletics)</figcaption></figure><p>The 2023-24 coaching carousel was certainly one for the ages with the legendary <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Nick-Saban3">Nick Saban</a> retiring and national champion <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jim-Harbaugh-732">Jim Harbaugh</a> deciding to return to the NFL. The coaching carousel led to 31 new head coaches in the FBS, <a href="https://247sports.com/article/college-football-2023-24-coaching-carousel-audit-recapping-the-most-disruptive-cycle-of-the-playoff-era-231459368/">with more than 500 positions changing hands across 134 teams</a>. New head coaches in the FBS went 0-2 in their Week 0 debuts with <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Bronco-Mendenhall784">Bronco Mendenhall</a> and New Mexico suffering a second-half collapse against FCS opponent Montana State, while <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jeff-Choate-814">Jeff Choate</a> and Nevada also blew a late lead versus SMU last Saturday. So how will the other 29 fare this week? <a href="https://247sports.com/longformarticle/college-football-week-1-upset-alert-miami-florida-clemson-georgia-highlight-potential-for-early-chaos-235200350/">Some have already been placed on "upset alert" ahead of Week 1</a>.</p><h2>3. Can QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson offense shock No. 1 Georgia?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3G6BpS_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3G6BpS_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Week 1 was a bit of a disaster for <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Cade-Klubnik-46056879">Cade Klubnik</a> and Clemson last year when it suffered an upset loss on the road at Duke. The Tigers' offense walked away with just seven points in four red-zone trips. It was the biggest loss in 2023 for Clemson with the other three coming by one possession — including two in overtime. There is optimism for improvement as Klubnik enters Year 2 alongside offensive coordinator <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Garrett-Riley-3586">Garrett Riley</a>, one of the highest-paid assistants in all of college football. <a href="https://247sports.com/college/clemson/article/dabo-swinney-garrett-riley-detail-the-challenges-of-going-up-against-a-kirby-smart-georgia-defense-235263859/">Clemson faces a tall task as it prepares to face preseason No. 1 Georgia</a> in a highly-anticipated rivalry showdown in Atlanta on Saturday.</p><h2>4. Are the Miami Hurricanes for real?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qvjYR_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qvjYR_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Staying in the ACC — are the Miami Hurricanes for real in 2024? Expectations are incredibly high as <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Mario-Cristobal-1032">Mario Cristobal</a> leads a stacked roster with sights set on an ACC title and spot in the College Football Playoff. Two years of disappointment and more than two decades fighting to be a national contender has Miami desperate for a momentum swing. The question now is whether Cristobal and the Hurricanes can finally meet their standards on the field. <a href="https://247sports.com/college/miami/season/2024-football/transferportal/?institutionkey=24013">Key moves in the transfer portal</a>, including the addition of quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Cam-Ward-46080717">Cam Ward</a> from Washington State, gives Miami plenty of juice to go into "The Swamp" and defeat rival Florida this Saturday.</p><h2>5. Will Dylan Raiola shine as the new face of the Huskers?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4SCNl9_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4SCNl9_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>The savior of Nebraska football arrived in five-star quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Dylan-Raiola-46116332">Dylan Raiola</a> — at least that is the hope for the Huskers. Second-year coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Matt-Rhule-1095">Matt Rhule</a> entrusted the true freshman to get the storied Nebraska program out of the depths of misery. Seven-consecutive losing seasons and no bowl appearances since 2016 <a href="https://247sports.com/longformarticle/three-reasons-why-expectations-for-dylan-raiola-at-nebraska-should-be-high-three-reasons-to-temper-the-hype-235035552/">puts a lot of pressure on Raiola to get things turned around in the Cornhusker State</a>. While there are reasons for optimism as the new era begins, setting expectations too high can lead to disappointment — a scenario Nebraska fans know all too well. The Huskers open the 2024 season against UTEP on Saturday afternoon.</p><p><b>6. How has Penn State revamped its offense under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki?</b></p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3F2bJT_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3F2bJT_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://247sports.com/coach/James-Franklin-56">James Franklin</a> knew Penn State needed a new offensive approach if it wanted to reach its full potential in 2024. The Nittany Lions fired <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Mike-Yurcich-1686">Mike Yurcich</a> as offensive coordinator after a November loss to Michigan and eventually pulled in <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Andy-Kotelnicki-3570">Andy Kotelnicki</a> from Kansas to take over this season. Penn State quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Drew-Allar-46096466">Drew Allar</a> tied for the most touchdown passes (25) in the Big Ten a year ago and only threw two interceptions — the fewest among all FBS quarterbacks with at least 325 attempts. The Nittany Lions led the conference in points per game (36.2), but were ineffective against elite competition like Michigan and Ohio State. Can Kotelnicki implement his success at Kansas and get Allar and the Penn State offense to a new level?</p><h2>7. Can Florida State bounce back from Week 0 upset loss?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4QzgBB_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4QzgBB_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Florida State left Ireland a stunned football team. The Seminoles' 12-game win streak against ACC opponents was snapped after Georgia Tech hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to secure the upset. How quickly can Florida State reset and get back on track to defending its ACC title? A return home to Tallahassee should help, but a sneaky opponent in Boston College awaits in a Monday night battle. Eagles' dual-threat quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Thomas-Castellanos-46101870">Thomas Castellanos</a> <a href="https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/longformarticle/6-key-boston-college-players-fsu-fans-should-know-about-235205648/">gave Florida State plenty of trouble in the previous matchup last season</a>, accounting for 400 total yards of offense in a narrow defeat. The Seminoles started 0-2 during the 2021 season — the second year under coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Mike-Norvell-750">Mike Norvell</a>.</p><h2>8. How much do Alabama and Kalen DeBoer reveal offensively?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ll3oe_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ll3oe_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Stuart McNair, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure><p>A new era begins at Alabama where <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Kalen-DeBoer-3580">Kalen DeBoer</a> takes over as head coach following the retirement of college football legend <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Nick-Saban3">Nick Saban</a>. For the first time in 18 years, someone other than Saban will lead the Crimson Tide into Bryant-Denny Stadium. Much has been made about whether Alabama will suffer a bit of a drop-off with the big change, but excitement remains with an offense that could be among the most explosive in the FBS. DeBoer is arguably one of the best offensive minds in the game after proving himself at Washington the past two seasons. With a returning quarterback in <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jalen-Milroe-46050317">Jalen Milroe</a> and a loaded group of skill players, the Crimson Tide should put up a lot of points. But how much will it reveal in the opener against Western Kentucky?</p><h2>9. Will LSU or USC’s defense finally step up?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1FuWod_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1FuWod_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Both LSU and USC have new-look defenses in 2024. The Tigers hired <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Blake-Baker-1584">Blake Baker</a> from Missouri to be its new coordinator, while the Trojans completely overhauled their defensive staff, beginning with the acquisition of <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/DAnton-Lynn-5090">D'Anton Lynn</a> from rival UCLA. A head-to-head matchup in Week 1 Sunday night is a crucial test to see where each stands heading into this season and whether those moves will work. Just three power conference teams ranked worse than USC for points allowed per game in 2023. LSU was not much better, ranking 81st nationally in the category. Both opposing offenses can certainly light up the scoreboard, making for an intriguing battle in Las Vegas.</p><h2>10. Can Michigan continue to rise above off-field distractions?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2NQcV3_0vEGCOzK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2NQcV3_0vEGCOzK00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Michigan was without head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jim-Harbaugh-732">Jim Harbaugh</a> for six games while he served two separate suspensions last season and still managed to go unbeaten during their national championship run. The Wolverines were exceptional at blocking out the outside noise and off-field distractions, but at what point will these challenges catch up with them? New head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Sherrone-Moore-1508">Sherrone Moore</a> maintains the same culture heading into the 2024 season. Still, he faces NCAA punishment and <a href="https://247sports.com/article/michigans-sherrone-moore-faces-possible-suspension-for-deleting-connor-stalions-texts-per-report-234443766/">a possible suspension stemming from a Level 2 violation</a> after investigators determined he allegedly deleted text messages from Connor Stalions. The violation could result in a show-cause penalty for Moore, <a href="https://247sports.com/article/central-michigan-responds-to-assistant-football-coach-connor-stalions-report-234356373/">whose reported entanglement with Stalions</a> has sparked reaction across college football.</p><p><i>Brad Crawford contributed to this article.</i></p></div></body>

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College football's 10 biggest questions heading into Week 1 includes notable challenges for new coaches

What are the key questions that could be answered in Week 1 of the new college football season?. As the 2024 college football season kicks off, Week 1 is poised to answer some of the biggest offseason questions and set the tone for the months ahead. With a slew of new head coaches stepping into the spotlight at major programs, the early challenges they face will be closely scrutinized. Many teams in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings confront a crucial campaign to meet high expectations or rebound from a disappointing year in 2023. Meanwhile, Florida State is just trying to bounce back from a shocker in Week 0.

College football's 10 biggest questions heading into Week 1 includes notable challenges for new coaches

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