Week 2 of the college football season delivered a mix of expected dominance and stunning upsets. While many top-ranked teams cruised to victory, others faced unexpected challenges and even suffered shocking defeats.
Top Teams Dominate
The top 10 of the AP Top 25 largely lived up to expectations. No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State delivered dominant performances, shutting out their opponents and racking up a combined 104 points. No. 6 Oregon surprised many by easily handling Oklahoma State, securing a decisive 69-3 victory.
Alabama Bounces Back
After a shaky start against Florida State, No. 21 Alabama rebounded impressively against Louisiana-Monroe. The Crimson Tide dominated from the outset, leading 42-0 at halftime and ultimately winning 73-0. Quarterback Ty Simpson was perfect, completing all 17 of his passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Germie Bernard capitalized on the opportunity and caught all three of those TDs.
Clemson Struggles Despite Win
Clemson, also looking to recover from a Week 1 loss to LSU, had a tougher time against Troy. Despite securing a 27-16 victory, the Tigers looked sluggish and struggled to find their rhythm. Troy even took an early 16-0 lead, exposing vulnerabilities in Clemson's offense. The Tigers only managed 316 yards on 55 plays, raising concerns ahead of their Week 3 matchup against Georgia Tech.
Florida Suffers Stunning Upset
The biggest shock of the week came in Gainesville, where No. 13 Florida suffered a stunning 18-16 loss to South Florida. The Gators, heavily favored entering the game, were plagued by poor game management and a lack of discipline. The loss casts a shadow over their upcoming prime-time game against LSU.
Key Takeaways
- Top teams largely delivered dominant performances.
- Alabama rebounded strongly after a Week 1 loss.
- Clemson struggled despite securing a win.
- Florida suffered a shocking upset at home.