Around the CFB World: Week 2

Headlines

1. The Upset that wasn’t

Despite Jared Hocker’s suggestion that an upset would occur in the Texas A&M-Clemson game, it was the Tigers who secured the 24-10 victory, as expected. After the Aggies took a 3-0 early in the second quarter, the Tigers ripped off 24 unanswered points over the next three quarters. No mind-blowing stat line from either team. Trevor Lawrence threw for 268 yards and a pick and Justyn Ross went for 94 yards receiving and a TD.

2. High on the Mountains

The Mountain West conference will enter the third week of the season with four 2-0 teams in Hawaii, Wyoming, Boise State, and San Diego State. Even more impressive is that all of these teams have at least one win over a power five conference. This week featured Hawaii winning late over Oregon State and San Diego State beating UCLA on the road.

3. Mike & Maryland

While still certainly early, the Mike Locksley era at Maryland has gone quite well through two games. In the latest installment, the Terps crushed No.21 Syracuse by 60-23, and were up 42-13 at the half. It was the Terps rushing attack, led by Anthony McFarland Jr.’s (no relation) 104 yards and three total TD’s, that powered the high scoring. Maryland as a team finished with 354 yards on the ground.

Taillines

1. Oh boy Tennessee

Late in their game against BYU it looked like the Vols would escape with an ugly win. Fast forward to a blown coverage, a game tying field goal, and a game winning touchdown by the Cougars in overtime and the Vols now sit at 0-2. Perhaps UT is on the upswing with Jeremy Pruitt but man does it look bleak at the moment.

2. Overtime! Overtime?

The Vols were not the only team that found themselves unexpectedly in overtime. Michigan celebrated their 24-21 2OT victory over Army as if they had a statement defining win, although they were 22.5 point favorites. Down in Tallahassee, the Noles turned in another underwhelming performance with a 45-44 OT win over ULM when the Warhawks missed the extra point on their first touchdown in overtime. Out west, Nebraska surrendered 24 fourth quarter points to Colorado, including possibly the best flea-flicker ever, eventually losing 34-31 to the Buffs. Throw in Kent State escaping Kennesaw State 26-23 in OT.

3. QB Injury bug comes south

After some starting QB’s in the PAC-12 suffered significant injuries the first weekend of the season, the SEC experienced its share this past weekend. South Carolina lost starter Jake Bentley for the season as he has surgery to repair a broken foot. At Kentucky, Terry Wilson will also miss the year recovering from a knee injury. Mississippi St also had to pull Tommy Stevens from their game against Southern Miss with an undisclosed injury and he is currently questionable for their game against Kansas St this week.

Video Potpourri

Notes

• It hasn’t been necessarily against the toughest opponents but ten teams in the Big 10 will head to week three with 2-0 records. Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State are expected but Maryland, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota all have enjoyed some very early season success.
• Mack Brown picked up his second win in his second stint with UNC, again with a late touchdown to secure the victory. It also marks the second time Miami has lost late in its two games.
• In a matchup that would have probably been a lot more exciting in 2008, Mizzou hammered West Virginia 38-7 with Kelly Bryant throwing three touchdowns in the win. Both teams entered the year with decent expectations, though at 1-1 neither team looks particularly promising.
• Although Bo Nix was labeled Auburn’s savior, the Tigers had a rough time against Tulane, only up 14-6 at the half. Auburn would tack on another ten points for the 24-6 win and Nix finished the game with a sub-50% completion percentage.
• It’s week two and the Pac-12 was dealt another blow to its title aspirations as Washington, was upset at home by Cal on a last second field goal.