A Hopeful Start to the Season
With Week 2 of college football in the books, we’re already seeing some shake-ups in the AP Top 25. Two top-10 teams stumbled in surprising losses, reminding us that no one is safe this early in the season. Michigan and Notre Dame, both ranked in the top 10, find themselves at 1-1 and searching for answers.
Michigan, coming off a dominant Week 1 win, was brought back down to earth by No. 3 Texas. The Wolverines were beaten in a 31-12 defeat, a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggests. With J.J. McCarthy now in the NFL, Michigan’s quarterback situation is still uncertain. Davis Warren struggled again, throwing two costly interceptions. After back-to-back subpar performances, Michigan needs to figure out its passing game if it wants to stay in contention.
Notre Dame also suffered a surprising loss, falling 16-14 to Northern Illinois. After a solid win in Week 1, the Fighting Irish couldn’t find their rhythm, largely due to quarterback Riley Leonard’s struggles. Leonard, a transfer from Duke, hasn’t been able to replicate the success of Notre Dame’s previous transfers. With a tough schedule ahead, Notre Dame must regroup quickly.
Week 2 Winners
Syracuse: The Orange pulled off an impressive win over No. 23 Georgia Tech, edging them 31-28. Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord had a standout performance, throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with receivers Trebor Pena and Oronde Gadsden II proved to be the difference. This was a huge win for Syracuse, which is hoping to make some noise in the ACC this season.
Clemson: After a disappointing Week 1 loss to Georgia, the Tigers bounced back in a big way, crushing Appalachian State 66-20. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was nearly perfect, throwing for 378 yards and five touchdowns. Clemson’s offense was firing on all cylinders, scoring 35 points in the first quarter alone. This dominant win should restore some confidence in a team that still has its sights set on the College Football Playoff.
Army: The Black Knights were unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 405 yards in a 24-7 win over Florida Atlantic. Army’s ground game was relentless, and FAU had no answers. It was a vintage performance from a team that’s made a name for itself with its punishing rushing attack.
Tennessee: The Volunteers made a statement in their 51-10 win over No. 24 NC State. Despite two interceptions from quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee dominated on the ground, racking up 249 rushing yards. Dylan Sampson led the way with 132 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee’s defense also stood tall, holding NC State to just 141 total yards.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks rolled over Kentucky in a 31-6 victory, thanks to a smothering defensive performance. South Carolina recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers, making life miserable for Kentucky’s quarterbacks. With a dominant showing on both sides of the ball, South Carolina looks poised for a strong season.
USC: The Trojans pitched a shutout in a 48-0 win over Utah State. USC’s defense was the story of the night, holding the Aggies to just 190 yards of total offense. This was the first time head coach Lincoln Riley has shut out an FBS opponent, and it sends a strong message that USC’s defense is ready to complement its high-powered offense this season.
Week 2 Losers
Arkansas: The Razorbacks let a 21-7 lead slip away in a double-overtime loss to Oklahoma State. Arkansas struggled with turnovers, including a crucial pick-six and two second-half fumbles that allowed the Cowboys to mount a comeback. After a promising start to the season, this was a tough loss for a team with high hopes in the SEC.
SMU:The Mustangs suffered an 18-15 loss to BYU in an ugly, mistake-filled game. SMU’s quarterback play was shaky, with starter Preston Stone benched early in favor of Kevin Jennings, who didn’t fare much better. The Mustangs are now 2-1 and looking to regroup during their bye week before facing rival TCU.
Auburn:The Tigers were plagued by turnovers in a 21-14 loss to Cal. Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne threw four interceptions, including two on the Tigers’ final drives, sealing their fate. With a daunting schedule ahead, Auburn faces an uphill battle to become bowl eligible.
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As the college football season progresses, it’s clear that no team is safe, and every week presents a new opportunity for teams to rise or fall. Week 2 may have shaken things up, but for fans everywhere, there’s still plenty of football left to play. Whether your team is flying high or looking for answers, the journey is just beginning. Here’s to the weeks ahead—filled with hope, surprises, and unforgettable moments on the gridiron.