2025 College Football: Week 2 Takeaways
Week 2 usually comes with chaos, but with so many teams playing cupcake opponents (of course a couple of FCS teams won), things were rather subdued. Texas QB Arch Manning bounced back with 4 TD passes in 5 minutes, but he played San Jose State, so that doesn’t tell us a lot. (8) Clemson stormed back against Troy, which might be disturbing despite the victory. We’ll discuss our lone ranked-on-ranked matchup, two notable upsets, a pair of 2OT thrillers, and more. Oh, and we have a patented returner note as well. These are the games that make college football exciting, so let’s find out what we learned in my week 2 takeaways!
(18) Oklahoma Throttles (15) Michigan in Statement Victory
With most of the country’s best teams playing FCS or bottom-of-the barrel Group of 6 opponents, we all had this game circled. It was a primetime opportunity to see both team’s shiny new QBs. Only one of them evidently got that memo. Oklahoma’s John Mateer (21/34, 270 yards, TD, INT; 19/74/2 rushing), arguably the most-sought-after transfer QB, showcased his dual-threat ability. Aside from one sailed pass that got picked off, he moved the offense very well against a stout Michigan defense. His running (he led the team in rushing yards) kept the Wolverines on their heels, at which point he exploited them with his arm.
Michigan’s 5-star freshman, Bryce Underwood (9/24, 142 yards), struggled mightily. For a while, the team didn’t seem to trust him, opting for a run-heavy approach. In the second half, the offense opened up, and we saw why the coaches might’ve been hesitant to unleash Underwood. He sprayed passes everywhere except toward his receivers, as the defense of OU coach Brent Venables gave him fits. I can’t even say that the running game didn’t support him. RB Justice Haynes (19/125/1) was great. It seems more like we have a young, unseasoned QB who had high expectations foisted on him too quickly.
This game only stayed close because of a couple of mistakes by Oklahoma. Mateer’s INT and a fumble by WR/PR Isaiah Satenga stalled OU’s momentum, but they were clearly the better team. One drive, a 16-play, 78-yard epic FG drive that took 8:27 off the clock in the final 10 minutes, encapsulated the superiority of the Sooners. They simply asserted their will against a tired defense that had played too much. The drive-capping kick sealed a 24-13 win, and the game felt less competitive than that. Oklahoma has a tough schedule, but they seem ready for the challenge. Michigan remains a pretender in the Big Ten yet again.
(12) Arizona State, (13) Florida Both Fall to Tricky Unranked Foes
Maybe this is why teams schedule those cupcake games. Those who didn’t had their hands full this week, starting with #12 Arizona State. Against Mississippi State, a team that hadn’t won against a ranked nonconference opponent since 1991, an easy win was expected. Instead, there’s no other way to say this, but QB Sam Leavitt was dreadful. He finished 10/22 for 82 yards, a TD, and an INT (as well as 25 rushing yards), but those stats might actually be too kind to him. His scattershot accuracy and inability to get anything going allowed to Bulldogs to take a 17-0 lead. Leavitt’s teammates tried to dig him out of that hole though.
WR Jordyn Tyson (6/68/1) had almost all of ASU’s receiving output. RBs Raleek Brown (18/110) and Kanye Udoh (23/105/1) helped bring the Sun Devils all the way back to a 17-17 tie. However, a 9-minute drive that led to first and goal at the 3 ended with three run stuffs and a field goal. That gave the Bulldogs new life, and QB Blake Shapen (19/33, 279 yards 3 TDs) hit WR Brenen Thompson (6/133/2) for a 58-yard dagger TD for the 24-20 upset. I love where coach Jeff Lebby is taking this Mississippi State program. Arizona State is still in a good place in the Big XII, but Leavitt must be better if the team wants a CFP encore.
Owners of the nation’s hardest schedule, the 13th-ranked Florida Gators couldn’t afford an early loss to South Florida. We just sang the Bulls’ praises last week, but winning in the Swamp is a bigger challenge than beating Boise State. Neither team scored a TD in the first half, with penalties, poor QB accuracy, and strong defense controlling the game. Still, Florida held the advantage for much of the game. RB Jaden Baugh (18/93) played very well, but QB DJ Lagway (23/33, 222 yards, TD, INT) had a rough day in spite of his stats. That allowed USF to hang around on the back of their relentless running game.
Bulls QB Byrum Brown (23/36, 263 yards, TD; 17/66 rushing) didn’t have a standout performance, but he didn’t make a big mistake. He also kept grinding, even when his team went down 16-15 late. With one last chance, the Gators helped USF out. A PI penalty and a spitting offense by DL Brendan Bett (he was ejected) moved the ball from the USF 11 to the 39, and Brown took over. Utilizing a mix of running and passing, Brown moved the ball to the UF 2, setting up a walk-off FG. These Bulls are real, and they could definitely win the ACC (thus making the CFP). Florida’s road only gets more daunting from here. (5) Miami is up next. Ouch.
Baylor, Michigan State Prevail in Wildly Exciting 2OT Shootouts
Four teams checked their defenses at the door this week and gave us nothing but fun offensive football, and we’re here for it! First, (17) SMU hosted Baylor in the day’s craziest game. These two teams traded blows all game, with only 3 punts between them. This game features three 100-yard receivers: Josh Cameron (9/151/2) and Ashtyn Hawkins (10/145) for Baylor and Romello Brinson (4/126/2) for SMU. But these teams were far from one-dimensional! Each had a 100-yard rusher as well: Bryson Washington (Baylor; 31/115/2) and TJ Harden (SMU; 19/115/3). Four quarters weren’t enough to decide this one…not even close.
At 38-38, we ventured to OT, where both teams promptly scored TDs. In 2OT, SMU missed their FG, but Baylor converted, handing the Bears a 48-45 victory. SMU QB Kevin Jennings (16/22, 295 yards, 3 TDs, INT) played great, but Baylor’s Sawyer Robinson (34/50, 440 yards, 4 TDs) made one less mistake. In such a razor-tight game, one INT can be the difference. While neither team is likely to go very far with defensive efforts like this, both the ACC and the Big XII are wide open. I can envision both of these squads making runs at their conference titles, and it’s clear that their offenses will be the ones to take them there.
During the primetime window, Boston College faced Michigan State, and the teams put on a show. This one actually started off a bit more slowly, but we were off to the races soon enough. In this scenario, it was all about the QBs. BC’s Dylan Lonergan (34/45, 390 yards, 4 TDs) transferred from Alabama to reunite with HC Bill O’Brien. The Crimson Tide probably should’ve kept and started Lonergan, as he shredded the Spartans. MSU’s Aidan Chiles (19/29, 231 yards, 4 TDs; 12/39/1 rushing) made the same type of move last year to rejoin Jonathan Smith, but he struggled badly last year. This game was the finest effort of his career.
Both teams lost one fumble, and Michigan State didn’t punt at all. They battled to a 27-27 tie before the offenses subsided at the end of the 4th quarter. As with the game above, one OT period was not sufficient to settle this contest. Each team marched right into the end zone. In fact, they did it again in 2OT, but only MSU converted their mandatory 2-point try, resulting in a 42-40 victory. I’m not sure that the Spartans, even at 2-0, have a chance in the brutal Big Ten, but they’re much improved. BC proved that they can actually score points this year, and the relatively easier ACC presents them with a great opportunity to make noise.
(6) Oregon Demolishes Oklahoma State After Coaches’ Media Spat
I couldn’t avoid talking about this one. As you may have heard, OSU coach Mike Gundy made some waves this week when he commented on Oregon’s resources. He (correctly) noted that the Ducks spend obscene amounts of money on their program, giving them an advantage. Gundy suggested that Oregon play teams in their own financial bracket. Oregon HC Dan Lanning then retorted something stupid about investing in winning, though his point about OSU’s week 1 game against UT Martin was totally valid. The bit of hypocrisy aside, Gundy makes a good point: certain teams can just buy their way to victory, while others can’t.
Most reactions to this little spat involved analysts asking how much the Ducks would run up the score in their matchup this week. The answer? 69-3. It was a complete demolition, regardless of whether starters or backups played at any given time. Ironically, the “statement” made by Lanning’s team actually proved Gundy’s point in its entirety. Gundy is a long-time, successful coach. His issue right now is a lack of talent because his school can’t compete with teams like Oregon financially. Unless regulations that level the playing field come along, the same teams are going to keep winning. That’s college football now.
PR Vicari Swain Sparks (10) South Carolina; Star in the Making?
If you’re a regular reader of this site, you know we love returners. It’s kind of our thing. So imagine our excitement when watching Vicari Swain return punts for South Carolina. Last week, his 80-yard punt return TD gave the Gamecocks separation in their win against Virginia Tech. In week 2 against SC State, he outdid himself. His team was struggling (actually trailing 3-0) and in need of momentum. Swain took a punt 65 yards to the house, giving SC a lead they would not relinquish. A bit later, a partially blocked punt went untouched upon landing, and Swain picked it up, went across the field and scored on that one too.
In case it wasn’t painfully obvious, this sophomore has a knack for returning punts. He’s not just fast (though he is quite speedy). His field vision is almost prophetic, as if he knows where his opponents are going to try and attack him. That’s the sort of skill that translates to the NFL level, but does Swain have prospects? His primary position is DB, but he rarely plays there. If he doesn’t start earning snaps in the secondary, he’d have to make an NFL roster as a pure returner. Despite that, I think he has a chance. With skills this electric, Swain would be an asset to any special teams unit. Field position still changes games.