2023-24 College Football: Week 2 Review

The second week of college football brought more action and a lot of fun storylines. With one of the most highly anticipated non-conference games of the year taking place in primetime, there was a lot of hype surrounding Texas and Alabama. The slate was full of fun games that came down to the wire. There was plenty of potential movement as we got an idea of which teams are legit and which aren't. 

Game of the Week- #11 Texas 34, #3 Alabama 24 (Tuscaloosa, AL)

The best matchup of the week went down in Tuscaloosa. Beating the Crimson Tide in Alabama is no small feat, but on this night, the Longhorns were up to the challenge. The first half wasn't much to write home about. The only touchdown of the half came on a beautiful throw from Quinn Ewers to Xavier Worthy as Texas held a 13-6 lead at the break. The game became much more interesting in the second half. An early Alabama field goal would be the only points of the third quarter until Jalen Milroe launched a 49-yard strike to give Alabama their first lead of the night right before the start of the fourth quarter. The start of the final quarter changed the game. Ewers responded quickly with a touchdown to regain the lead. Immediately after that, Jerrin Thompson intercepted Milroe and returned it to set up an easy run for Jonathan Brooks to extend the lead. In 15 seconds, the game went from a three-point Alabama lead to an 11-point Texas lead. Milroe would bring them back within three points with his second touchdown of the night, but Ewers responded again to make it 34-24. The Longhorns' defense settled in and shut down any attempt at a comeback to finish a statement victory over a Top 3 team. Ewers finished the night with 349 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in easily the biggest win of his career. 

Upset of the Week- Fordham 40, Buffalo 37 (Buffalo, NY)

Several FBS teams struggled against FCS opponents. Despite their struggles, few lost their games. Buffalo was a 23.5-point favorite over the Rams, but they could never put them away. They led 21-3 early in the 2nd quarter. However, their lead was shrunk to 21-20 by halftime. The score went back and forth until Fordham took the lead with 2:32 left. CJ Montes threw for 309 yards and 5 touchdowns as Fordham completed the upset. 

Other Notable Games

#17 North Carolina 40, Appalachian State 34 (2OT) (Chapel Hill, NC)

North Carolina will eventually learn to not schedule Appalachian State early in the season. In 2019, the Mountaineers pulled off a huge upset win in Chapel Hill. Last season, UNC barely held on for a wild 63-61 victory they should've lost. This time around, things were just as close. Neither team led by more than four points during regulation. Appalachian State kicked a game-tying field goal with 1:22 left. After Drake Maye drove the Tar Heels down the field, they could not finish the game, missing the potential game-winning field goal as time expired. Each side scored in overtime, and Maye scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown in the second overtime to give them the lead. UNC's defense held strong, forcing App State to turn the ball over on downs to save themselves from the upset. 

#20 Ole Miss 37, #24 Tulane 20 (New Orleans, LA)

The only other Top 25 matchup of the weekend took place in New Orleans as Tulane tried to earn a victory over an SEC opponent. The Green Wave came out of the gates hot, taking a 17-7 lead and leading by a touchdown at halftime. Quinshon Judkins tied the game in the third quarter, kickstarting a major momentum shift in Ole Miss' favor. The Rebels never allowed Tulane to get anything going on offense, taking a 30-20 lead with less than 4:30 left. Ole Miss would pull away at the end, putting the nail in the coffin with a fumble recovery for a touchdown to secure the road victory. 

#13 Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30 (Lubbock, TX)

The Ducks survived a shootout in Texas, a statement I don't think is said often. Bo Nix went off, accounting for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Oregon defense stepped up late in the game to keep Texas Tech from coming back. There was a strong possibility that the Red Raiders would complete the upset. Behind Tyler Shough, Texas Tech led 27-18 after three quarters, and even after Oregon retook the lead, Shough drove them down the field to lead 30-28 with 5:13 left. Ultimately, a field goal and a pick-six would seal the deal, sending Texas Tech to an unexpected 0-2 start. 

Miami 48, #23 Texas A&M 33 (Miami, FL)

There is a resurgence in the ACC, especially in Florida. In front of a raucous crowd in Miami, the Hurricanes outplayed Texas A&M. This is the Miami team I've been waiting to see for a few years. Tyler van Dyke was phenomenal, lighting up the Aggies for 374 yards and 5 touchdowns in a win that could get eyes back on them as the ACC starts to open up. Every time the Aggies felt like they could get back in the game, Miami had a response, leading to a 15-point victory as the ACC earned another big win over the SEC. 

What We Learned About Each Power 5 Conference in Week 2

ACC- It was a good weekend for the ranked teams in the ACC, with Florida State, UNC, Duke, and Clemson all winning. It was a bad weekend for the state of Virginia as both Virginia Tech and Virginia each lost at home by one possession. The big story was Miami, beating a ranked SEC team at home in convincing fashion. The top of the conference is loaded. 

Big Ten- I'm starting to be sold on Penn State being a potential problem in the conference, especially with Ohio State not hitting its stride on offense. While Marvin Harrison Jr. went off, I'm not loving the Buckeyes. Michigan does look great and is my pick to win the conference until someone proves otherwise. The middle tier of the conference is struggling, with Nebraska at 0-2 and Wisconsin being upset in Pullman. 

Big 12- Texas was the story of the week, earning a huge road victory against Alabama. They were already the best team in the conference, but this win solidified it. Elsewhere, Kansas State and Oklahoma held firm, while Baylor and Texas Tech dropped to 0-2 with one-possession losses to PAC-12 teams at home. 

SEC- The SEC might be more prestigious, but they are having problems against the ACC and playing in primetime games. All six of the conference's losses have either been in primetime or against ACC opponents. Many people were talking about this being the end of Alabama's dynasty. I won't say that, but it isn't looking good this season for the Crimson Tide. 

PAC-12- There isn't much separating the teams at the top of the conference. Currently, USC, Oregon, Utah, Oregon State, Colorado, and Washington have realistic shots. However, USC, Oregon State, and Washington haven't played anyone, Utah and Oregon barely escaped with wins this weekend, and Colorado is becoming relevant again with an unproven squad. 

My Top 25

1. Georgia (2-0, W 45-3 Ball State) (-)

2. Michigan (2-0, W 35-7 UNLV) (-)

3. Florida State (2-0, W 66-13 Southern Miss) (+1)

4. USC (3-0, W 56-10 Stanford) (+2)

5. Ohio State (2-0, W 35-7 Youngstown State) (-)

6. Penn State (2-0, W 63-7 Delaware) (+1)

There is no change in the Top 2 spots after Georgia and Michigan dominated for the second week in a row. Alabama's loss does invite new teams into the mix. I've moved Florida State up a spot and USC up two spots over Ohio State to round out my current CFP field. Ohio State and Penn State will have their chances against each other and Michigan this season, but I don't see them winning the conference yet. 

7. Texas (2-0, W 34-24 #3 Alabama) (+4)

8. Washington (2-0, W 43-10 Tulsa) (-)

9. Notre Dame (3-0, W 45-24 NC State) (+1)

10. Alabama (1-1, L 34-24 #11 Texas) (-7)

Rounding out the Top 10, I have Texas lower than the AP Poll will. It's nothing personal, but I still think the six teams ahead of them are better overall. Washington and Notre Dame continue to dominate their opponents, each winning by several possessions again this week. I have Alabama falling seven spots to #10 with the loss. There's a high likelihood that they'll be back up the rankings soon. 

11. Tennessee (2-0, W 30-13 Austin Peay) (+1)

12. LSU (1-1, W 72-10 Grambling) (-3)

13. Utah (2-0, W 20-13 Baylor) (-)

14. Oregon (2-0, W 38-30 Texas Tech) (-)

Tennessee and LSU each beat up on FCS opponents. I should've moved the Tigers down a little further last week, but things evened out this week. Utah and Oregon barely held on for their wins on the road, though I liked the Ducks game much better than the Utes. 

15. Kansas State (2-0, W 42-13 Troy) (-)

16. Oregon State (2-0, W 55-7 UC Davis) (-)

17. Ole Miss (2-0, W 37-20 #24 Tulane) (+3)

18. Oklahoma (2-0, W 28-11 SMU) (-1)

19. North Carolina (2-0, W 40-34 (2OT) Appalachian State) (-)

With a quintet of 2-0 teams, there wasn't much movement outside of Ole Miss' dominant win over Tulane on the road. Kansas State and Oklahoma remain Texas' biggest opposition in the Big 12. DJ Uiagalelei is proving that his move to Corvallis was the right decision, lighting it up for two games with the Beavers. North Carolina barely held on against Appalachian State, needing two overtimes. 

20. Duke (2-0, W 42-7 Lafayette) (+1)

21. Colorado (2-0, W 36-14 Nebraska) (+2)

22. UCLA (2-0, W 35-10 San Diego State) (+6)

23. Arkansas (2-0, W 28-6 Kent State) (+6)

24. Clemson (1-1, W 66-7 Charleston Southern) (-)

25. Iowa (2-0, W 20-13 Iowa State) (+1)

Duke and Colorado each picked up wins after entering the rankings last week. The Buffaloes are going to be higher in the AP Poll since all of their hype has turned out to be true, but I'm waiting for them to face a bigger test than Nebraska. Clemson maintains its spot after a resounding victory to get them back on the winning track. I have three teams joining my Top 25. Iowa re-enters after falling out last week. UCLA and Arkansas have each won two games by wide margins against lesser opponents. 

The Next 5

26. TCU (1-1, W 41-6 Nicholls)

27. Wisconsin (1-1, L 31-22 Washington State)

28. Miami (2-0, W 48-33 #23 Texas A&M)

29. Louisville (2-0, W 56-0 Murray State)

30. Texas A&M (1-1, L 48-33 Miami)

Week 3 Preview

1. South Carolina v. #1 Georgia (Athens, GA)

The SEC has a full slate next weekend with several conference games, headlined by the #1 team in the country facing South Carolina. The Bulldogs haven't faced much opposition through two weeks in their pursuit of a three-peat, while South Carolina would like a marquee victory after losing their opener. 

Prediction- #1 Georgia 38, South Carolina 17

2. #14 LSU v. Mississippi State (Starkville, MS)

LSU responded to their opening loss against Florida State by knocking the breaks off Grambling behind their star quarterback Jayden Daniels. Will Rogers, in his 100th year at Mississippi State, will try and get them a big win against a Top 15 team. 

Prediction- #14 LSU 34, Mississippi State 30

3. #11 Tennessee v. Florida (Gainesville, FL)

The final SEC game I want to highlight features a Florida squad that stumbled hard against Utah with almost no offense. Tennessee has performed well against two weak opponents, led by Joe Milton III's cannon arm. 

Prediction- #11 Tennessee 41, Florida 24

4. #8 Washington v. Michigan State (East Lansing, MI)

In a conference full of amazing quarterbacks, Michael Penix Jr. is one that hasn't gotten the hype like Caleb Williams or Shedeur Sanders. He'll lead the Huskies against Michigan State, who are in the midst of a terrible situation with Mel Tucker. 

Prediction- #8 Washington 44, Michigan State 17

5. Minnesota v. #20 North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC)

The Tar Heels are thought to be one of the better teams in the ACC, but they had their hands full against Appalachian State at home on Saturday. Minnesota is in the middle tier of the Big Ten and will likely be the team that faces the winner of the East Division. 

Prediction- #20 North Carolina 37, Minnesota 20

6. Colorado State v. #18 Colorado (Boulder, CO)

College Gameday is making its way to Boulder as the hype surrounding the team continues to grow after two victories over Power 5 schools. Colorado State feels like a lamb that is being led to the slaughter as the first Group of 5 school to face the wrath of the Buffaloes. 

Prediction- #18 Colorado 55, Colorado State 13

7. #7 Penn State v. Illinois (Champaign, IL)

The Nittany Lions sit in the Top 10, but are the third-best team in the conference according to the AP Poll, though they've easily been the second-most impressive. They'll hit the road to Illinois for their first big conference test of the season. 

Prediction- #7 Penn State 30, Illinois 13

8. TCU v. Houston (Houston, TX)

After losing in 2OT against Rice on Saturday, Houston will look to recover as they host the Horned Frogs for a big conference clash, the Cougars first in the Big 12. TCU suffered a season-opening loss to Colorado but recovered with a win over Nicholls. 

Prediction- TCU 37, Houston 24

9. BYU v. Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)

Kedon Slovis has moved around the country during his college career, landing in BYU as they enter the Big 12. KJ Jefferson is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC and will try to stay undefeated in a big non-conference clash. 

Prediction- Arkansas 40, BYU 27

10. James Madison v. Troy (Troy, AL)

The Sun Belt is a conference that doesn't get a lot of love despite having some phenomenal teams and these are two of the best the conference has to offer. Troy was decimated by Kansas State last weekend and will try to turn things around. 

Prediction- Troy 27, James Madison 24