College Football Week 2 Recap

My Overall Record: 14-6 

My Record in Week 2: 6-4   losses: Virginia over Penn State, Florida over Texas A&M, 

                                                          Iowa State over Iowa, & Arizona State over Illinois

Best Game from Week 2: UCLA 36, Nebraska 30 

I thought this would be one of the least intriguing weekends of the College Football season. Boy was I ever wrong! This weekend was anything but boring. Last weekend, the Pac-12 Conference looked disappointing as they combined for a non-conference record of 7-5. Three of those wins were really close games with mid-major conference teams. This weekend, the Pac-12 proved me to be very wrong. The Wisconsin-Oregon State, Washington-LSU, Nebraska-UCLA, and Oklahoma State-Arizona games looked to be for sure losses for the Pac-12. Out of the four teams, Washington was the only team of those that lost. Then Arizona State crushed Illinois in the desert. The only team that really disappointed was Colorado losing to FCS Sacramento State, who beat Oregon State last season. The Pac-12 finished with an impressive 9-3 record this past weekend. It turns out that the Pac-12 may not be as weak as everyone thought, and that the Big Ten might be the new weakling. The Big Ten was completely embarrassed on Saturday, finishing with a 6-6 record. In one of the wins, Michigan had to fight off a pesky Air Force team until the final drive of the game and won 31-25. Then there was one of the biggest upsets of Saturday. #8 Arkansas lost QB Tyler Wilson to an injury, and was upset in overtime by UL-Monroe. Just when I thought I knew what I was talking about after Week 1, I was left dazed and confused after this past weekend.

What we possibly learned from this weekend: 

The Pac-12 might be better then expected. 

-The Pac-12 went 3-0 against the Big Ten. Oregon State was projected to be awful this season and beat Wisconsin 10-7 in Corvallis. Just when we thought Taylor Martinez and Nebraska were going to be on a role, new UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora and his Bruins stunned the Huskers at the Rose Bowl 36-30. Arizona State also obliterated Illinois in Tempe by winning 45-14. Other conference games included Oklahoma State-Arizona. Arizona almost lost to MAC opponent Toledo in week 1 and Oklahoma State beat Savannah State 84-0. New Arizona Head Coach Rich Rodriguez and his Cats lit up the Cowboys in Tucson 59-38. Lastly, USC and Oregon seemed to struggle with Syracuse and Fresno State, but still won by double digits. The only three teams that suffered losses this weekend was Utah, who had not lost to Utah State since 1997, Colorado to FCS Sacramento State, and Washington to LSU. 

 The Big Ten could be down this year. 

- The Big Ten went 6-6 this weekend in non-conference games. Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois all traveled west to Pac-12 schools and lost. Iowa looked awful again this past weekend, and lost to Iowa State at home 9-6. Penn State couldn't make a field goal kick to save their lives and lost at Virginia 17-16. Then Purdue lost in South Bend on a Notre Dame 27 yard field goal with seven seconds left in the game. Lastly, Michigan won, but was tested by Air Force throughout the entire game. The Big Ten might be up for grabs this season. As of now, Michigan State looks to be the best team in the conference. Ohio State is in that category too, but they are ineligible for the postseason.  

Florida and Georgia proved themselves this weekend.

- Florida was down 17-7 against new conference member Texas A&M at a hostile Kyle Field. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, RB Mike Gillislee rushed for a 12 yard td run and put the Gators up for good 20-17. The Gators proved to get through adversity in a game many people picked against them, including myself. Georgia also travel to new conference member Missouri. The Dawgs were down 20-17 in the third quarter, and then exploded in the fourth quarter. The Dawgs scored three touchdowns and won convincingly 41-20. 

What is wrong with Wisconsin? 

- The nation figured there would be a little bit of a drop off at the quarterback position without Russell Wilson, but what in the world is going on? Montee Ball's touchdown streak was ended at 21 games and the offense was held to 35 rushing yards against the Oregon State Beavers. A team that was almost guaranteed to win the Leaders Division, aka the Liars Division, this season with Ohio State and Penn State being ineligible, could now be in a dog fight with Illinois and Purdue. The Badgers almost lost to FCS opponent Northern Iowa in Week 1 and couldn't improve in Week 2, as they were upset by the Beavers. The Badgers will now host a good Utah State team on Saturday. Utah State upset Utah on Friday night. Will the Badgers make improvements? Or fall flat on their faces again? 

God listened to Savannah State's prayers

- Savannah State, who was humiliated by Oklahoma State in Week 1 84-0, had to travel to Florida State this past weekend. Savannah State, who was a 67 point underdog against Oklahoma State, was a 70 point underdog to the Noles. Fortunately, weather delayed the game and eventually ended the game  with 8:59 remaining in the third quarter. Savannah State ended up only losing the game 55-0. That's a win in Savannah State's book. 

Tyler Wilson is what holds the Razorbacks together.

- #8 Arkansas was upset by UL-Monroe of the Sun Belt Conference on Saturday night. QB Tyler Wilson, who might be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, took a beating and was injured in the first half of the game. The Razorbacks were up 28-7 with 9:42 left in the third quarter and blew the lead with 47 seconds remaining in the game. The game went into overtime, and the rest is history. The Arkansas offense was shut down to just seven points in the second half without Tyler Wilson. If Wilson cannot play against Alabama this upcoming weekend, look for Alabama to annihilate the Razorbacks. 

Don't ever underestimate Bill Snyder and his Kansas State Wildcats.

- The nation thought that for sure this past weekend's game between Kansas State and Miami would be close. Think again! The Wildcats manhandled the Hurricanes at home by throttling them 52-13. QB and Heisman contender Collin Klein passed for 210 yards and one touchdown, and also ran for 71 yards and three touchdowns. The Cats might be just as talented as they were last season, if not better. The Cats know their identity this season though, which could make them even more dangerous. We will find out how good they are in two weeks when they travel to Norman for a date with Oklahoma. 

Last thought: 

-The Big Ten schedule has not even started, and the only teams I see contending for the Conference Championship are Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska. All of which are associated with the Legends Division. 

- Iowa has a very good chance of losing at home to FCS opponent Northern Iowa this upcoming weekend. In Week 1, Northern Iowa traveled to Madison and gave Wisconsin all they could handle. The Badgers hung on to win though 26-21. 

-If Tennessee beats Florida this weekend in Knoxville, they will be a strong contender to win the SEC East Division. 

-Notre Dame is in must win situations these next two weekends. This weekend they must travel to East Lansing to take on Michigan State. If Notre Dame wins this tough game, it will be a great confidence booster the following week when they host Michigan. Notre Dame just came off a close victory against Purdue, where they won the game 20-17 on a 27 yard field goal with seven seconds remaining. Notre Dame tends to flatten if they lose to Michigan State. This is a must win for the Irish on Saturday night.