The College Football Key Results and New Rankings – Week #2

This was the second full week of schedules and things are still shaking out, with some surprises still being realized, as the Top 10 saw a number of shaky performances. Upsets were a common feature and some teams came off looking like a shadow of their expectations.

The defending champs were humiliated, as were the Jesuits playing in the shadow of touchdown Jesus. Throughout the poll we see teams thought to be better performers struggling as we are still getting a feel for the actual measurement of programs. This leads to churn in the bottom portion with a handful of new arrivals to the poll.

Here are the noteworthy results from the sophomore weekend.

Texas 31 – Michigan 12

This was the marquee game coming into the weekend, but the top-5 matchup proved to be a rollover as Michigan was humiliated in The Big House. Quinn Ewers was operating, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns, as this game was basically over at halftime. Michigan could not generate anything approaching a threat while not finding the end zone but committing three turnovers. 

Northern Illinois 16 – Notre Dame 14

In the most jarring result, Northern Illinois, after being paid $1.4 million to travel to Indiana, shamed their hosts by making The Irish the first Top-10 ten ranked team defeated in school history. Riley Leonard could not generate any consistent offense for Notre Dame while throwing a pair of interceptions, one of those late in the game to allow for a winning drive for the Huskies, winning it with a last-minute field goal.

Alabama 42 – South Florida 16

It seems the Bulls always manage to lend a surprise to Alabama. The score looks like a victory was easily handled, but this was a nail-biter for the Tide until very late. A South Florida field goal brought them within five points and they got the ball back, but then Alabama became a different team. In the final six minutes, three big play touchdowns of 43, 56, and 29 yards were seen to relieve the pressure. 

Oregon 37 – Boise State 34

The Ducks are another team looking for its identity, as they have not lived up to pre-season projections. Playing at home and favored by 18, we see again that the defense is an issue as the Broncos outgained them in yardage and challenged throughout, leading in the 4th quarter. Oregon was bailed out with a subsequent 100-yard kickoff return and then a final 61-yard drive to set up the winning field goal with time running out.

Penn State 34 – Bowling Green 27

In a game that had no business being close, the Lions had to work on a late score to secure things, as it carried a slim 3-point lead until under five minutes to play. As it was, they still needed to secure an onside kick to finally salt things away in the final minute. The Falcons nearly matched them statistically, but Penn State stuck with a solid ground game (two rushers broke 100 yards) to secure things.

Oklahoma State 39 – Arkansas 31

Talk about the defense letting the team down. Arkansas QB Taylen Green threw for over 400 yards, Jaquinden Jackson ran for 149 and three touchdowns as the team dominated time of possession by nearly a full quarter while gaining 648 yards – and it still required a last-minute field goal to force overtime. OSO managed to halt the chance to tie in double-OT to stun the Razorbacks. 

Iowa State 20 – Iowa 19

The battle over the Cy-Hawk Trophy was one of contrasting styles and which defense would make the difference. Iowa relied on Kaleb Johnson running for 184 and two scores, while Iowa State went to the air with 272 passing yards. One factor was the Hawkeyes twice seeing a first-and-goal opportunity and only managing field goals. The Cyclones won it on a final drive, resulting in the winning kick of 54 yards with six seconds remaining.

Oklahoma 16 – Houston 14

In underwhelming fashion, the Sooners hosted a lackluster game that was a struggle to watch, as both they and the Cougars were offering little in the way of offense. After a second score midway in the second quarter, the Sooners only managed two points off of a late safety

Here is the updated AP top-25 poll. (With first-place votes)

1. Georgia (54)

2. Texas (4)

3. Ohio State (5)

4. Alabama

5. Ole Miss

6. Missouri

7. Tennessee

8. Penn State

9. Oregon

10. Miami

11. USC

12. Utah

13. Oklahoma State

14. Kansas State

15. Oklahoma

16. LSU

17. Michigan

18. Notre Dame

19. Louisville

20. Arizona

21. Iowa State

22. Clemson

23. Nebraska

24. Boston College

25. Northern Illinois