We all expected Week 1 of college football to be crazy, as that is where all the hot matchups were. What we didn't expect was a wild Week 2, as the week with no Top 25 matchups still delivered in its own unique way.
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Who benefited and who fell from that uniqueness? Let's find out!
1. Alabama — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 38-10 vs. WKU
They got the win over Western Kentucky, but apparently Nick Saban wasn't impressed at all. I would hate to see what would he think if they had a game like Georgia had against Nicholls.
2. Florida State — ACC, 2-0
Result: W, 52-8 vs. Charleston Southern
Florida State moves up nearly out of process of elimination. They didn't embarrass themselves, and they still have their win over Ole Miss in Week 1 to hand their hats on.
3. Houston — AAC, 2-0
Result: W, 42-0 vs. Lamar
Apparently Greg Ward Jr. suffered a slight shoulder injury against Oklahoma in the opener, so Houston kept him out of this game. They won easily, but that is something that everyone in the country will need to keep their eye on; that could easily derail their entire season if something goes wrong with Ward.
4. Clemson — ACC, 2-0
Result: W, 30-24 vs. Troy
What the heck happened to Clemson?
It was alright to have some offensive struggles against Auburn; they have a legitimate defense. But struggling this much to Troy? That just isn't acceptable. Deshaun Watson hasn't looked like he did last year at all, and the close call here means the Tigers drop from their No. 2 spot.
5. Stanford — Pac-12, 1-0
Result: Did not play
Stanford didn't play this week after a win over Kansas State in Week 1. They take on USC next week in what could be a good barometer on how good the Cardinal actually are.
6. Michigan — Big Ten, 2-0
Result: W, 51-14 vs. UCF
They blocked four kicks against UCF... in the first half! I think Michigan is good, but they really don't play a tough opponent until Wisconsin in Week 5. (sorry, Penn State) That week is when we will see if they are really a contender.
7. Ohio State — Big Ten, 2-0
Result: W, 48-3 vs. Tulsa
The Buckeyes struggled for about 27 minutes with Tulsa. I really though, "Oh my God, Ohio State is really about to go into halftime 6-3 against Tulsa." But then the Buckeyes scored twice before halftime and all worry was gone. They definitely didn't have the same problems in the second half.
8. Louisville — ACC, 2-0
Result: W, 62-28 vs. Syracuse
Getting a conference win on the road is important, even if it is at Syracuse. For the second week in a row, Lamar Jackson set records, and his Heisman talk is really starting to rise across the country. How will he in the Cardinals do next week against a visiting Florida State team, though? That is the million dollar question in the ACC Atlantic Division right now.
9. Michigan State — Big Ten, 1-0
Result: Did not play
The Spartans did not play this week. They take on Notre Dame in South Bend next Saturday.
10. Washington — Pac-12, 2-0
Result: W, 59-13 vs. Idaho
The Huskies blew out Idaho in impressive fashion. I wasn't as high on them as a lot of people were heading into the season, but nearly out of sheer process of elimination, they have moved into my Top 10. That just goes to show the insane amount of teams struggling with should-be cupcake opponents this year.
11. Tennessee — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 45-24 vs. Virginia Tech
In front of almost 157,000 people at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee redeemed themselves after a lackluster performance in Week 1 against App. State. Sure, the Vols got some help in the form of several Virginia Tech turnovers, but they looked like a legitimate team on Saturday night.
12. Oklahoma — Big 12, 1-1
Result: W, 59-17 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Oklahoma will have a chance to redeem themselves in Week 3. A win over Ohio State on Saturday will essentially cover up for the loss to Houston in the polls. If they fall to the Buckeyes, though, that will probably end their Playoff chances. Sure, they could still get in with two losses, but two loss AND needing to jump Houston and Ohio State? That will be difficult.
13. Oregon — Pac-12, 2-0
Result: W, 44-26 vs. Virginia
Oregon didn't struggle with Virginia, but this game didn't go completely as the Ducks wanted. Their offense looks great and it makes since that they started to slow it down after taking a 44-13 lead, but just winning 44-26 over Virginia the week after the Cavs lost by 17 to the Richmond Spiders isn't the best look you could have.
A win is a win, though, and running back Royce Freeman looked great. The Ducks will have Nebraska next week on the road.
14. Georgia — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 26-24 vs. Nicholls State
Not exactly the start Georgia fans wanted to the "Jacob Eason is our starter now!" era. It wasn't Eason's fault, though, as the Bulldogs uncharacteristically got pushed around at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. At it was by Nicholls State of all people!
Kirby Smart has some coaching up to do, as the Dawgs head to Missouri next Saturday. Getting pushed around at the line — even by a mediocre-at-best Mizzou — isn't going to work.
15. Wisconsin — Big Ten, 2-0
Result: W, 54-10 vs. Akron
Wisconsin will have another week to ride high about their win over LSU, as they play Georgia State next week. Things heat up quickly after that, though, as they will face Michigan State and Michigan on the road in back-to-back weeks.
16. Iowa — Big Ten, 2-0
Result: W, 42-3 vs. Iowa State
Rivalry games are supposed to be close, but... this wasn't Kirk Feretz just got a huge contract extension, so he starts off that era with a huge win over Iowa State. They get the FCS champs North Dakota State next week in what should be a really good game.
17. Texas — Big 12, 2-0
Result: W, 41-7 vs. UTEP
The Longhorns handled UTEP very easily. They will always have the win over Notre Dame to hang their hat on, but we will find out what they are really made up next week with a visit to Cal. A big win there could mean that Texas is the real deal.
18. Pitt — ACC, 2-0
Result: W, 42-39 vs. Penn State
Pitt took a big lead early in this game, but like all rivalry games, that doesn't mean much. Penn State rallied back, as Pitt nearly suffered a disaster with three three-and-outs, a missed field goal, and a fumble all in the second half. They will need to work on that in the future, because you're not going to be able to get away with that every week.
19. Texas A&M — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 67-0 vs. Prairie View A&M
Texas A&M destroyed poor Prairie View. Not much to say about this, other than Texas A&M getting a safety will a minutes left in the fourth quarter. Seriously, that was hilarious.
20. Florida — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 45-7 vs. Kentucky
After a lackluster win over UMass in Week 1, Florida gets their 29th-straight victory against Kentucky. Seriously, they've almost beat Kentucky almost 30 times in a row. I get that Kentucky isn't exactly a super power, but this is just ridiculous at this point.
21. Notre Dame — Ind./ACC, 1-1
Result: W, 39-10 vs. Nevada
Not much to say about this other than they get their confidence back somewhat after the disastrous loss to Texas. Hopefully DeShone Kizer stays as the team's top quarterback, because splitting time at QB between him and Zaire just isn't going to work.
22. Baylor — Pac-12, 2-0
Result: W, 40-13 vs. SMU
They were actually struggling with SMU at one point, but then Baylor decided to put their foot down and pull away. They have another cupcake with Rice next Friday before they start conference play with Oklahoma State.
23. North Carolina — ACC, 1-1
Result: W, 48-23 vs. Illinois
Illinois isn't great, but this is a solid out-of-conference win after they lost to Georgia in Week 1. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky looked tons better, and it will be interesting to see if he can string that together in a week-to-week rhythm.
24. Arkansas — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 41-38 vs. TCU
So that whole "TCU is fine, their defense will be better!" shtick goes completely out the window, I guess. The Horned Frogs rallied back to take a 28-20 lead in the fourth quarter... and then they promptly let the Hogs tied the game up.
I don't know if Arkansas is really legit, but I thought TCU was legit and Arkansas just beat them in Fort Worth; that's enough to at least garner the No. 24 spot for now.
25. Ole Miss — SEC, 2-0
Result: W, 38-13 vs. Wofford
Not only did they beat Wofford, but one of their players also completely suplexed some poor kid. That's one way to recover from a loss to Florida State.
