College Football: Week 2 Recap, Pick Results and Final Thought

Week 2 of the college football season did not disappoint with a Top 10 matchup in Eugene, Oregon, and unexpected outcomes that no one could have seen coming.

No. 7 Michigan State and No. 3 Oregon played an intense game that went back and forth in the first half. The Ducks were up 18-7 until the Spartans went on a 17-0 run to take a 24-18 lead into the half. Michigan State would convert an early field goal in the third quarter, but it would be the last time the Spartans would score for the rest of the game.

Heisman hopeful Marcus Mariota and the Oregon offense went on to score 28 unanswered points with the help of speedy wide receiver Devon Allen and highly touted freshman running back Royce Freeman, who got into the end zone on the Ducks’ final two scores. All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu also could potentially have had one of the best defensive plays of the season when he intercepted a Connor Cook pass midway through the fourth quarter at the Oregon 4-yard line. 

Mark Helfrich came away with the biggest win in his two-year tenure with a critical 46-27 victory. It was the most points Michigan State has surrendered since 2011, when it lost to Alabama 49-7 in the Capital One Bowl. 

The biggest surprise of the day came when an underrated Virginia Tech team went into No. 8 Ohio State Saturday night and pulled off a 35-21 upset. A 63-yard interception return for a touchdown by Hokie cornerback Donovan Riley with less than a minute left silenced an Ohio Stadium record crowd of 107,517. In Virginia Tech's first win over a ranked nonconference opponent since 2009, it sacked quarterback J.T. Barrett seven times and gave Ohio State its first home-opener loss since 1978. A Frank Beamer squad, which lost a combined 11 games the last two seasons, could be a factor in the ACC this season. 

The final matchup between Michigan and No. 16 Notre Dame did not live up to the hype, as Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 blowout win. Texas was also steamrolled by BYU for a second consecutive season, as quarterback Taysom Hill rushed for 99 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 victory. 

The Pac-12 saw a high-profile matchup between No. 14 USC and No. 13 Stanford, which consisted of USC athletic director Pat Haden going down to the sideline to confront the referees, as well as other drama in a much-anticipated defensive ballgame. The Cardinal blew scoring opportunities with two missed field goals and turned the ball over three times in scoring position. For a second consecutive year, USC won on an Andre Heidari field goal. This time it was a career-long 53-yard field goal with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter. The Trojans snapped Stanford’s 17-game home winning streak with a 13-10 win, which was the longest home winning streak among FBS teams. In his first season at the helm, USC head coach Steve Sarkisian could have his team contending for a Pac-12 title. 

Nebraska likely had the most dramatic finish of the day against FCS McNeese State. After the Cowboys scored 10 unanswered points to knot things up at 24, potential All-American Ameer Abdullah pulled off a sensational 58-yard reception for a touchdown to give the Huskers the go-ahead score with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Nebraska survived a potential huge upset, 31-24.

Game Attended: Michigan 0 at No. 16 Notre Dame 31

What figured to be another exciting game between the two winningest programs in their final matchup for the foreseeable future became the most lopsided victory in the history of the series. The closest Michigan came to scoring was on two field goals, one which was blocked. Notre Dame manhandled the Wolverines on both sides of the ball in a 31-0 win.

Senior quarterback Everett Golson had a second solid showing since returning to the team, as he was 23-of-34 for 226 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, the Fighting Irish made sure Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner was pressured in the pocket and managed to cause three interceptions. The only success Gardner had was getting the ball to wide receiver Devin Funchess, who accounted for 109 yards. 

Fourth-year Michigan head coach Brady Hoke is currently sitting on the hot seat after his offense failed to score for the first time since 1984. The Wolverines had previously led the nation with 365 consecutive games without being shut out, until Saturday night. While the offense couldn’t produce drives and had costly penalties, the defense had difficulty containing Golson and stopping Notre Dame from converting on third down. 

Notre Dame jumped to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 Poll and could have the opportunity to be a national title contender if Golson stays healthy and the defense continues to keep opponents off the scoreboard.  

Pick Results

Overall Record: 5-5

Week 2 Record: 1-4

Note: Team in bold indicates author’s pick

Prediction: Stanford 24, USC 20

Result: USC 13, Stanford 10

Prediction: Oregon 31, Michigan State 27

Result: Oregon 46, Michigan State 27

Prediction: Michigan 34, Notre Dame 28

Result: Notre Dame 31, Michigan 0

Prediction: Texas 20, BYU 17

Result: BYU 41, Texas 7

Prediction: Ohio State 28, Virginia Tech 20

Result: Virginia Tech 35, Ohio State 21

Final Thought

The Big Ten Conference was embarrassed in Week 2, especially for teams looking to contend for a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Heavily talented Michigan State couldn’t hang with a speedy Oregon squad once the fourth quarter began, and Ohio State suffered a shocking home loss to Virginia Tech. Michigan was also run over by Notre Dame 31-0. 

Purdue and Northwestern went down to MAC schools at home, as Central Michigan defeated the Boilermakers 38-17 and Northern Illinois outlasted the Wildcats 23-15.    

There were also close calls, as Nebraska survived FCS McNeese State, 31-24, and Iowa managed to get a late touchdown to hold off Ball State 17-13.    

Regardless of how bad of a showing the Big Ten had this past Saturday, there is still a chance that one team could advance to the College Football Playoff. At this point, Michigan State is still in the running if it wins out and clinches a Big Ten Championship. Wisconsin is another team that could be a major player because of its favorable schedule down the stretch. 

It was also confirmed on Monday that Penn State would be eligible to play in a bowl game this season as well. The Nittany Lions are a dark-horse candidate to win the Big Ten title now with sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg leading the way. James Franklin’s team, much like Wisconsin, has a favorable schedule with its difficult games being only at Michigan on Oct. 11 and at home against Ohio State (Oct. 25) and Michigan State (Nov. 29).  

It’s way too early to count out the Big Ten Conference, which consists of teams that can compete with some of the best in the country.