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Two full weeks of video games aren’t sufficient to make agency conclusions about groups, however the restricted pattern dimension highlighted some doable issues for contenders.
LSU, Penn State and Georgia had a tough time pulling away from inferior competitors in Week 2. Clemson trailed Troy 16-3 at halftime earlier than discovering its approach within the second half to keep away from an 0-2 begin. After restricted cowbell prep, Arizona State’s ears might be ringing for some time as a last-minute defensive breakdown doomed the defending Massive 12 champs towards Mississippi State in Starkville. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s plan to shock the world has been placed on maintain as Brent Venables’ Oklahoma protection humbled the nation’s No. 1 recruit in Norman.
Illinois overcame early offensive line struggles to pounce on mistake-ridden Duke. Iowa State lastly broke the spell Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz had solid on its dwelling stadium, however nonetheless solely mustered 16 factors in victory. This was a get-right week for Alabama and Arch Manning, and additional proof that South Florida is a staff to observe after its shocker in The Swamp.
However most groups have a lot to repair and enhance. This is our view of the Prime 25 popping out of Week 2. — Adam Rittenberg
Earlier rating: 1
All of the defending nationwide champions have achieved by means of two weeks is defeat the No. 1 staff within the nation earlier than hammering Grambling, 70-0. So, it isn’t straightforward to nitpick the Buckeyes up to now. However the largest query mark going ahead is whether or not Ohio State can run the ball when it must towards the perfect in school soccer. Final 12 months, the Buckeyes had a dynamic operating again tandem in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who each rushed for 1,000 yards and have become second-round draft picks. However in Week 1 this 12 months, the Buckeyes managed simply 77 yards on 34 carries within the 14-7 victory over Texas. The trio of CJ Donaldson, James Peoples and freshman Bo Jackson is able to additionally producing a prolific speeding assault. So is the offensive line. The Buckeyes simply must show it. — Jake Trotter
Earlier rating: 3
LSU’s offense started with an interception and missed subject objective and by no means actually shifted all the way in which into gear, however the Tigers nonetheless scored a snug 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech because of a protection that has now allowed simply 17 factors in two video games. They held the Bulldogs to 154 yards and a 3-for-13 efficiency on third downs, and that was all that ended up mattering. Nonetheless, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was something however sharp: Together with three sacks, his 44 move makes an attempt netted simply 210 yards regardless of recreation from Barion Brown (94 receiving yards, plus a 15-yard run). Operating again Caden Durham gained simply 29 yards in 13 carries, too. The Tigers received away with it, however with a annoyed Florida staff visiting subsequent week, the offense might want to dial again in subsequent Saturday. — Invoice Connelly
Earlier rating: 2
The Nittany Lions could not end off drives early enjoying in poor climate throughout a 34-0 victory over Florida Worldwide. After scoring only one landing within the first half, Penn State lastly received going. Nonetheless, the Nittany Lions went simply 3-of-12 on third down, a continuation of the earlier season, once they ranked 14th within the Massive Ten with a third-down conversion charge of 36%. Penn State went 3-of-11 in a house loss to Ohio State and within the CFP semifinals loss to Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions have the products to win a nationwide championship. However they should enhance on third down, particularly forward of an enormous Sept. 27 conflict towards Oregon. — Trotter
Earlier rating: 6
There’s not a lot to nitpick when a staff outgains its opponent by over 400 yards, scores 69 factors in three quarters and solely permits a subject objective on protection. But when there may be anybody on the market who will nonetheless discover issues to enhance, it is Oregon coach Dan Lanning. Even if the Geese trounced Oklahoma State 69-3 after the 2 coaches traded feedback on their program’s monetary sources earlier within the week, Lanning was all enterprise and known as out the staff’s 5 penalties within the first half as one thing Oregon can enhance on. It was that type of day for Oregon, which seemed each bit the a part of a dominant playoff staff. Lanning mentioned there was no additional motivation for the Geese heading into this recreation, however they welcomed the gasoline that Cowboys coach Mike Gundy poured onto their fireplace together with his feedback. Secure to say different groups have been warned: Earlier than speaking concerning the Geese, attempt to sustain with them first. — Paolo Uggetti
Earlier rating: 5
Carson Beck opened the Hurricanes’ 45-3 win over Bethune-Cookman with 15 straight completions, a single-game faculty report as they’d a a lot simpler time towards the Wildcats in comparison with their season-opening win towards Notre Dame. Beck threw two landing passes to CJ Daniels and Mark Fletcher Jr. had a number of landing runs. There is not a lot to remove from a recreation like that, so let’s return to the Notre Dame recreation. Miami had a double-digit lead within the third quarter, however its offense stalled on 4 straight drives, and the Hurricanes had a tough time getting constant yards out of their run recreation. The subsequent time the Hurricanes are in an in depth recreation, that might be a key space to watch for enchancment. — Andrea Adelson
Earlier rating: 4
The Bulldogs’ 28-6 win towards FCS program Austin Peay was hardly the type of efficiency coach Kirby Sensible wished going into subsequent week’s SEC opener at high-flying Tennessee. Georgia’s offense struggled to get the ball down the sector and could not rating on 4 straight performs from the 1-yard line towards the Governors’ undersized defensive entrance on the finish of the primary half. Accidents have hampered Georgia’s offensive line (beginning proper guard Juan Gaston and proper sort out Earnest Greene III did not play towards Austin Peay), and new beginning quarterback Gunner Stockton continues to be constructing his confidence. He accomplished 26 of 34 passes for 227 yards, however did not see a few open receivers operating down the sector. The excellent news: Georgia’s protection continued its scorching begin, limiting the Governors to solely 10 first downs and 196 yards of offense. It is going to want an analogous efficiency if the Bulldogs are going to beat the Vols for a ninth straight time. — Mark Schlabach
Earlier rating: 7
It wasn’t a very dominant efficiency by the Longhorns towards San José State, although the end result was by no means doubtful. There have been 12 penalties, a number of dropped passes, and many to work on. However when it was clear, Texas placed on a present, with Arch Manning throwing 4 landing passes in a five-minute span, together with on three consecutive move makes an attempt, to place followers comfortable. The Texas operating recreation was spotty, with CJ Baxter main the way in which with 64 yards, however nonetheless averaged 4.8 yards per carry. With two extra dwelling video games towards UTEP and Sam Houston awaiting, the Longhorns are hoping to maintain fine-tuning their offense to swimsuit Manning, with coach Steve Sarkisian saying this week was extra to his model. The protection is championship-caliber. If the offense catches up, Sarkisian will be ok with the SEC stretch developing. — Dave Wilson
Earlier rating: 8
After an opening-week loss to Miami, Notre Dame had a breather in Week 2, which was in all probability good timing. CJ Carr was stable in his debut, however getting a possibility to make use of the off week to check his early miscues towards the Hurricanes may show invaluable because the Irish prep for a Week 3 showdown with Texas A&M. If Notre Dame can topple the Aggies, the remainder of the schedule units up properly for a playoff run. If it does not, an 0-2 begin may have the Irish enjoying to an inside straight the remainder of the way in which. — David Hale
Earlier rating: 13
It’s laborious to search out too many early areas of concern for the Seminoles, who’re driving excessive after following up their upset win over Alabama with a 77-3 win over East Texas A&M. Florida State scored touchdowns on its first 10 drives and had 729 complete yards of offense. 13 totally different gamers had a carry. Tommy Castellanos linked on lengthy performs to receiver Duce Robinson a number of occasions as effectively. But when there may be one query mark nonetheless, it’s what occurs when an opponent stops the run and Florida State has to rely extra closely on its passing recreation. The Seminoles have rushed for practically 600 yards in two video games, whereas Castellanos has solely tried 25 complete passes. Whereas we noticed explosive performs towards East Texas A&M, there might be more durable challenges forward. — Adelson
Earlier rating: 12
The Cyclones out-Iowa’d Iowa to snap their six-game dwelling dropping streak to their in-state rivals in a 16-13 win. There wasn’t a lot offense to recap as neither staff reached the 250-yard mark or scored a landing within the second half. What Iowa State did have, nevertheless, is among the most harmful weapons in school soccer: kicker Kyle Konrardy. After booming a 63-yard subject objective final week, he kicked three extra subject objectives on Saturday, together with the sport winner from 54 yards with 6:29 left within the recreation. His vary successfully shortens the sector for Iowa State and in a recreation like this one, that proved to be the distinction. — Kyle Bonagura
Earlier rating: 23
The Sooners rode a smothering defensive efficiency and the playmaking of quarterback John Mateer to one of the vital necessary wins of the Brent Venables period in a 24-13 victory over Michigan Saturday evening. However self-inflicted wounds practically value Oklahoma in Week 2. Whereas the Wolverines’ offense largely languished, the Sooners gifted Michigan three of its 4 first downs earlier than halftime through defensive penalties. Isaiah Sategna III’s muffed punt and Tate Sandell’s 42-yard subject objective miss marked a pair of particular groups blunders. And Mateer wasn’t immune, both, overthrowing a receiver for a first-quarter interception earlier than sprinkling in a handful of different miscues into an in any other case exhilarating efficiency. Altogether, the sequence of errors left the door open for a Wolverines comeback. And whereas Michigan could not make the Sooners pay for his or her errors Saturday evening, others absolutely will when Oklahoma dives into SEC play later this fall. — Eli Lederman
Earlier rating: 11
Per week after giving up 203 speeding yards to UTSA, the Aggies emphasised consistency on protection, and held Utah State to 2.2 yards per keep on 38 makes an attempt. The massive story was that the Aggies are creating their big-play passing offense, one thing that was a should this offseason. Marcel Reed threw for 220 yards and 4 TDs, together with a 34-yarder to Terry Bussey, a five-star signee a 12 months in the past, for his first TD reception, and Mario Craver caught a 72-yarder from backup Miles O’Neill. Cashius Howell had himself a day, sacking Utah State QB Bryson Barnes 3 times on three consecutive performs. Elko was happy with the progress, however with a visit to South Bend looming to face Notre Dame, the actual check begins. Final 12 months, coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish held the Aggies to 246 yards — simply 100 of these passing, with two interceptions — and 13 factors in a season-opening loss. Now, it is time to see if the offseason makeover can present new outcomes. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 15
The Illini handed their first highway check of the season, pulling away from Duke for a 26-point win. However a powerful second half should not fully masks some potential issues, particularly a run recreation that stalled for some time earlier than opening up. Illinois had minus-5 speeding yards within the first half and allowed 4 sacks. Usually, that equals a deficit on the highway. To Illinois’ credit score, it restricted main errors of its personal and repeatedly capitalized on the Blue Devils’ 5 turnovers and transformed them into 21 factors. Quarterback Luke Altmyer was glorious and Illinois is displaying larger explosiveness within the passing recreation with Hank Beatty and others. However the Illini cannot depend on being plus-5 in turnover margin in each key recreation, and sooner or later, will want their operating recreation to point out up from begin to end. In all probability on Sept. 20 within the Massive Ten opener at Indiana. — Rittenberg
Earlier rating: 10
Shane Beamer is aware of the Gamecocks’ offense has a lot to wash up after a sluggish begin towards South Carolina State on Saturday evening. The Gamecocks struggled to maintain drives within the first half and did not rating their first offensive landing till the third quarter of their 38-10 win. A prolonged climate delay and difficult subject place performed an element, and Vicari Swain stepped up with two extra punt return touchdowns within the second quarter. However this LaNorris Sellers-led offense is simply too proficient to place up simply 128 passing yards and 125 speeding yards towards an FCS protection. Higher execution and effectivity are a should with Vanderbilt and Missouri, two groups that put up massive factors on Energy 4 foes Saturday, up subsequent on the schedule. — Max Olson
Earlier rating: 18
You are not going to search out a lot to nitpick about Tennessee’s 72-17 blowout of East Tennessee State. Switch QB Joey Aguilar continued his spectacular begin with 288 passing yards, two TDs, no sacks and no turnovers. The Vols’ offense racked up 717 yards, fourth-most within the Josh Heupel period, and has a 100% crimson zone conversion charge this season. One key query because the showdown with Georgia looms is the well being of Tennessee’s line of defense. Beginning defensive sort out Jaxson Moi missed the ETSU recreation together with Daevin Hobbs and Tyree Weathersby. Getting Moi again within the lineup this week could be an enormous deal because the Vols get able to face the Bulldogs’ speeding assault. — Olson
Earlier rating: 9
The Tigers’ offense continued to look misplaced in Week 2 towards Troy, falling behind 16-3 within the first half earlier than engineering a powerful second-half comeback. If the Tigers are in search of a silver lining, the second half a minimum of provided a number of. Cade Klubnik accomplished 8 of 9 passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Adam Randall carried 15 occasions for 91 yards. The protection did not give up some extent. Nonetheless, if issues look this disjointed towards Troy, a highway journey to Georgia Tech in Week 3 may very well be extremely harmful. — Hale
Earlier rating: 21
The Utes welcomed their entry into the Prime 25 with a radical dispatch of Cal Poly by a rating of 63-9. It was a dominant affair that left little to fret about for the Utes, who seemed like a much more explosive and environment friendly staff on offense by means of two video games than they did all final 12 months. Zooming out and looking out forward, will probably be attention-grabbing to see if quarterback Devon Dampier can keep the type of load and manufacturing he has had, particularly together with his legs. By way of two video games, the New Mexico switch is tied with Wayshawn Parker because the Utes’ main rusher and already has carried the ball 20 occasions. Thus far, Dampier appears as much as the duty, however his significance to the Utah offense might require a bit extra administration of his reps, particularly if it means avoiding harm. — Uggetti
Earlier rating: 19
The previous 5 Ole Miss-Kentucky video games have been determined by one rating, however in contrast to final 12 months, Ole Miss made massive performs when it counted and survived, 30-23. Austin Simmons threw two first-quarter interceptions however led six scoring drives afterward and completed with 235 passing yards and a speeding landing. Kewan Lacy, in the meantime, rushed for 138 yards and a rating. The Rebels’ protection held UK’s Zach Calzada to 149 passing yards and made a pair of fourth-down stops within the fourth quarter. That allowed their result in maintain up. Ole Miss is 2-0 and has now exorcised one of many demons of 2024; the Rebels had a playoff-caliber staff however dropped heartbreakers to Kentucky, LSU and Florida. They will get their subsequent revenge try in three weeks when LSU involves city. — Connelly
Earlier rating: NR
If we’re judging groups purely on who they’ve beat, who has had a greater begin to the season than the South Florida Bulls? Alex Golesh’s squad was dominant in a 34-7 win over No. 25 Boise State and confirmed its resilience in a 18-16 upset of No. 13 Florida in The Swamp on Saturday evening. The Gators’ many errors will get all the eye, however Byrum Brown main USF on an 87-yard profitable drive within the remaining two minutes was nonetheless spectacular. The Bulls are No. 3 in ESPN’s Power of Report metric, and now they’re going to attempt to regroup and go pull off one other highway stunner at No. 5 Miami. Win or lose, this staff clearly has the products to chase a School Soccer Playoff bid. — Olson
Earlier rating: 22
It will not erase a season-opening loss at Florida State, however Alabama’s 73-0 rout of UL Monroe was precisely what it wanted in rebuilding its confidence. The Crimson Tide scored on every of their first 11 possessions (10 touchdowns and one subject objective), and quarterback Ty Simpson accomplished a school-record 17 straight passes for 226 yards with three touchdowns. Alabama ran for 212 yards and did not commit a turnover. The Tide protection performed significantly better, limiting the Warhawks to 148 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers. The stress on second-year coach Kalen DeBoer ought to subside, for a minimum of a number of days, and the Tide might be heavy favorites in Saturday’s dwelling recreation towards Wisconsin. They will get per week off earlier than their first SEC highway recreation at Georgia on Sept. 27. — Schlabach
Earlier rating: NR
The Purple Raiders led Kent State 48-0 at halftime, per week after main the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 47-0 on the half. They haven’t discovered a lot of a combat but, together with scoring on their first 14 possessions of the season. Punter Jack Burgess lastly received some work on this week with two kicks. Most significantly, quarterback Behren Morton, who has struggled with a proper leg harm, was capable of play your entire first half earlier than resting. The Purple Raiders step up competitors this weekend towards Oregon State in Lubbock, though the Beavers simply fell to 0-2. However with an enormous check awaiting towards a resurgent Utah staff in Salt Lake Metropolis firstly of Massive 12 play subsequent week, Tech will look to remain sharp and injury-free. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 25
Curt Cignetti challenged his staff after a Week 1 win that was by no means doubtful but in addition fairly sloppy, particularly contained in the crimson zone, the place the offense failed to attain on three alternatives towards Previous Dominion. The Hoosiers responded properly by bulldozing Kennesaw State, scoring touchdowns on eight of their first 10 full drives, together with a stretch of 5 straight within the second half. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was a lot sharper, passing for 245 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. Three gamers added speeding touchdowns, led by Lee Beebe Jr., as IU’s elevated depth at operating again has proven up early. Security Louis Moore has been superb thus far for the Hoosiers’ protection. Something lower than dominance is not going to fulfill Cignetti, particularly with the Massive Ten opener towards Illinois looming Sept. 20. — Rittenberg
Earlier rating: 24
TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ largest takeaway from the Horned Frogs’ 48-14 humiliation of North Carolina in Invoice Belichick’s debut was his staff’s maturity. Two years in the past, the Frogs fell to Colorado in Deion Sanders’ first recreation and the main focus this 12 months was blocking out the noise and making it about themselves. Now, trying ahead, TCU discovered a operating recreation it lacked final 12 months, piling up 258 yards on the bottom, and Josh Hoover, the most effective returning QBs within the nation, continued to shine, throwing for 284 yards and two landing passes. After a Monday Labor Day recreation, the Frogs had a bye week. So that they’ll attempt to regroup with Abilene Christian this week, the one non-Energy 4 staff on their schedule this season, earlier than a house recreation towards outdated rival SMU, who humbled the Frogs 66-42 final 12 months, at dwelling. That one will go a good distance in figuring out if TCU is again on its 2022 trajectory. — Wilson
Earlier rating: 14
Among the many points within the Wolverines’ Week 2 loss at Oklahoma: an incapability to create chunk performs. Michigan’s lone landing got here on Justice Haynes’ 75-yard speeding rating on the primary offensive snap of the second half. Nevertheless, the landing marked the Wolverines’ solely run over 10 yards and considered one of solely 5 complete performs of 15 or extra yards produced by first-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s assault towards the Sooners. That got here after Michigan logged solely three carries over 10 yards towards New Mexico in Week 1, as effectively. There are many causes to consider the Wolverines can get higher — the event of quarterback Bryce Underwood, constant manufacturing from the receivers, extra consistency all through time in Lindsey’s offense, and so on. — however for now, Michigan’s offense continues to be sorely missing explosiveness. — Lederman
Earlier rating: NR
Down 21-6 early due to a fumble return rating and a few massive Jalon Daniels passes, Missouri settled down, started dominating the ball, and ultimately put down hated rival Kansas, 42-31. The Tigers had a 300-yard passer (Beau Pribula), two 100-yard rushers (Jamal Roberts and Ahmad Hardy) and a 100-yard receiver (Kevin Coleman Jr.) and outgained the Jayhawks, 595-254, with an enormous time-of-possession edge. However they wanted a pair of go-ahead touchdowns from tight finish Brett Norfleet and, lastly, a 63-yard TD run from Roberts to place the sport away. Regardless, they gained the primary Border Showdown in 14 years and moved to 2-0. And in two video games as a Tiger, Pribula has accomplished 53 of 67 passes (79%) for 617 yards and 5 TDs and no picks. Laborious to high that. — Connelly
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