Michigan finally beats Ohio State. Texas crashes. Reliving craziest moments of 2021 football season.

With the regular season in the books and the College Football Playoff national semifinals just days away, USA TODAY Sports takes a week-by-week look at how the Football Bowl Subdivision got to the final days of the 2021 season. Rankings are from the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

Week 1 (Aug. 28-Sept. 6): Georgia makes a statement

In the marquee matchup of the opening weekend, No. 5 Georgia scores the game's only touchdown on a pick-six and holds No. 2 Clemson scoreless until the fourth quarter in a 10-3 win that sets the tone for both teams. No. 1 Alabama gets started with a 44-13 win against No. 16 Miami (Fla.), as new starting quarterback Bryce Young goes for 344 yards and four touchdowns. No. 13 LSU loses at UCLA to begin the countdown to coach Ed Orgeron’s eventual dismissal. The Steve Sarkisian era at No. 19 Texas begins with a 38-18 win against No. 23 Louisiana. That will end up as the high point of the Longhorns’ season and the only loss on the year for the eventual Sun Belt champions.