College Football 24-25: Week 2 Review

Alright, Alright, Alright in Ann Arbor (#3 Texas 31, #10 Michigan 12)
The week's premier matchup saw the defending champions, #10 Michigan, welcome the #3 Texas Longhorns to Ann Arbor. The home team provided little resistance for Quinn Ewers and the Longhorn. Ewers threw for three touchdowns, including a pair in the first half to lead 24-3 at the break. The Texas defense held the Wolverines without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter, forcing three turnovers in a 19-point victory. 

Stunning Upset in South Bend (Northern Illinois 16, #5 Notre Dame 14)
What a difference a week makes. After a huge win in College Station last weekend, the #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish laid an egg at home against the Northern Illinois Huskies. After Riley Leonard scrambled for the opening touchdown, North Illinois rallied for 13 straight points, leading most of the first three quarters. Notre Dame took the lead midway through the third quarter, but the Huskies nailed a field goal with 31 seconds left to regain the lead. Leonard threw two interceptions, and the Irish had two kicks blocked, including the potential game-winner from 62 yards as time expired to suffer a disastrous loss. 

Second-Half Comebacks Galore to Avoid Upsets During the Early Slate
#8 Penn State 34, Bowling Green 27- The Nittany Lions were given a major fight from Bowling Green in Happy Valley, trailing 24-20 at halftime before finally breaking away in the second half.

#17 Oklahoma State 39, Arkansas 31 (2OT)- After Arkansas dominated the first half, Oklahoma State came to life in the second half before needing two overtimes to send the Razorbacks home.

#17 Kansas State 34, Tulane 27- Aided by a 24-7 advantage in the second half, Kansas State snatched Tulane's upset bid away by sealing the win with an interception in the end zone.

Pittsburgh 28, Cincinnati 27- Trailing 27-6 late in the third quarter, Pittsburgh rattled off 22 unanswered points, winning with a 35-yard field goal in the final seconds to complete the comeback.

My Top 25
1. Georgia (2-0)
2. Ohio State (2-0)
3. Texas (2-0)
4. Alabama (2-0)
5. Ole Miss (2-0)
Each of the Top 5 teams held serve this week, though Alabama got more of a contest from South Florida than they expected.
6. Oregon (2-0)
The Ducks didn't do a good job of making us feel like Week 1 wasn't a little fluky. They barely escaped a tough challenge from Boise State at home, needing a walk-off field goal to get it done.
7. Missouri (2-0)
8. Penn State (2-0)
9. Tennessee (2-0) 
10. Utah (2-0)
11. Miami (2-0)
During what has been a disastrous start for the ACC, Miami has stood above and beyond the rest of the field. Dare I say that The U is back?
12. Oklahoma (2-0)
13. USC (2-0)
14. Michigan (1-1)
The defending champions laid an egg against Texas, likely signaling that this won't be the same team that made it to the top of the mountain a season ago.
15. Oklahoma State (2-0)
16. Kansas State (2-0)
17. Notre Dame (1-1)
If not for their season-opening victory over Texas A&M, Notre Dame could've fallen out of the rankings this week. This is the type of loss that can't happen if you're trying to shake the stigma of being an overrated program.
18. LSU (1-1)
19. Clemson (1-1)
Both LSU and Clemson rebounded from tough Week 1 losses by pouring it on against lesser opponents. Clemson scored 35 points in the first quarter against Appalachian State to set the tone after their disappointing showing against Georgia.
20. Arizona (2-0)
21. Iowa State (2-0)
22. Louisville (2-0)
23. Nebraska (2-0)
There's a trio of new schools in my Top 25 this week. Iowa State started this year's Cy-Hawk Series with a last-second victory over Iowa. Louisville ran all over Jacksonville State. Nebraska's defense shut down the Colorado offense, though their offense sputtered in the second half.
24. Texas A&M (1-1)
25. Boise State (1-1)
Despite their loss, the Broncos proved to me that they're one of the most likely schools to crack the playoff as the fifth conference champion. 

My College Football Playoff Bracket
1. Georgia (SEC)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten)
3. Utah (Big 12)
4. Miami (ACC)

5. Texas (SEC) vs. 12. Boise State (MWC)
6. Alabama (SEC) vs. 11. Tennessee (SEC)
7.  Ole Miss (SEC) vs. 10. Penn State (Big Ten)
8. Oregon (Big Ten) vs. 9. Missouri (SEC)

13. Oklahoma
14. USC
15. Michigan

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