Okay, so week two didn’t have the same pizazz or sizzle that week one had. Still there were some great performances and a few surprises. Here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- Tennessee Volunteers: After a sluggish start, the Vols were able to recover as quarterback Josh Dobbs threw for three touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns. While the defense caused five fumbles as they defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 45-24 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
- Louisville QB Lamar Jackson: Jackson picked up right where he left off last week as he had five total touchdowns, including four rushing touchdowns. He also had 610 total yards (yes, you read that right) as the Cardinals routed the Syracuse Orange 62-28. If you didn’t know about Mr. Jackson, you should now.
- Arkansas Razorbacks: Quarterback Austin Allen ran five yards for the game-winning touchdown as the Hogs defeated the Texas Christian Horned Frogs 41-38 in an overtime thriller. It was their first meeting since these two teams were in the old SWC.
- East Carolina Pirates: Quarterback Anthony Scott had the go-ahead touchdown run with just under six minutes left as the Pirates defeated the North Carolina State Wolfpack 33-30. It’s the Pirates sixth straight win over an ACC team. Also a big win for first-year head coach Scottie Montgomery. The Pirates are one of the favorites in the American Athletic East division.
- Utah Utes: The Utes overcame six turnovers and the defense were able to make key stops late as they held off in-state rival BYU Cougars 20-19.
- San Diego State Aztecs: Running back Donnel Pumphrey had a career-high 281 yards, breaking the school’s rushing record that was held by Marshall Faulk. Pumphrey had three touchdown runs, too. The defense made a late interception to seal the Aztecs’ win over the California Golden Bears 45-40. Don’t be surprise if Pumphrey gets into the Heisman discussion and keep an eye on the Aztecs.
Losers:
- The officiated crew of Central Michigan and Oklahoma State: The Central Michigan Chippewas scored a last second touchdown via a Hail Mary AND a lateral upsetting the Oklahoma State Cowboys 30-27 in Stillwater. Great play, but there was one problem, that play shouldn’t have happened. A misinterpretation of a rule: basically, there was a penalty on Oklahoma State and that the game should’ve ended instead there was an untimed down. In essence, both the officiating crew, (who were from the MAC) and the replay crew, (who were from the Big 12) have each been suspended for two games. You hate these kinds of calls, because they can cost teams a chance at championships, nonetheless, the Chippewas are now 2-0.
- Duke Blue Devils: The Blue Devils were outrushed 239-37 yards in their loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 24-14, it’s their first loss to Wake since 2011.
- Northwestern Wildcats: The Cats were 5 for 18 on third downs in their loss to FCS’ Illinois State Redbirds 9-7, it’s the Redbirds’ first win against a Big Ten team. The schedule only gets tougher for the Wildcats the coming weeks.
- Kentucky Wildcats: The offense only had 149 total yards and nine first downs while the defense gave up 564 total yards in their loss to the Florida Gators 45-7. The Cats lost to the Gators for the 30th straight year. They’re 0-2, no doubt head coach Mark Stoops’ seat is a little warm.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: We figured the Red Raiders’ game with the Arizona State Sun Devils would be a high scoring affair, and it was, the Sun Devils pulled it out 68-55. The Red Raiders defense gave up eight total touchdowns (7 rushing) to Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage, by himself, tying an FBS record. I know Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury isn’t a big proponent of defense, but maybe he needs to change that philosophy if only a little bit.
Storyline Going Into Week Three:
Some teams have potential trap games on the road: Houston against fellow American Athletic member Cincinnati. Arizona State also has one against upstart Texas-San Antonio, and Miami faces the always sneaky Appalachian State.
Louisville visits Florida State in an ACC Atlantic clash. Alabama will try to get revenge at Ole Miss. Texas A&M will try to bounce back at Auburn. In the Pac 12, Stanford hosts USC.
Some great intra-conference games as Oregon meets Nebraska. Michigan State plays Notre Dame. Ohio State goes to Norman and plays Oklahoma and out west UCLA battles BYU and Texas faces California.