Winners and Losers from Week 2 of the 2015 College Football Season
Week 2 of the 2015 college football season is one of those days that doesn't look as appealing on paper but can produce some crazy results. If there's one thing we've learned about this game, it's that you should never sleep on any opponent, no matter how big the point spread is.
Right, Auburn?
The "Scare in Jordan-Hare" was just one of the highlights from a Saturday that was still chock-full of storylines. From Notre Dame's thrilling, bittersweet win over Virginia to Oregon-Michigan State, we wrap up all that was good, bad, ugly and gorgeous from Week 2.
Let's get to it. Who were the winners and losers from this weekend's action?
Winner: FAU's Trick Play
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Winners and losers is all about trick plays. The trickier, the better. Let's put it this way: Halloween? It's just tricks and no treats for us. Yeah, we're that guy on the block.
Anyway, Florida Atlantic had a spiffy little trick play against Miami on Friday night. Facing a 3rd-and-goal, Owls tight end Nate Terry "faked" falling on the ground before getting up and sliding to the opposite side of the field for the touchdown.
Miami won 44-20, but the Owls are the real winners here. At least to us. And that's good enough.
Loser: Early Kickoff Games
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As it turns out, Power 5 college football teams playing at noon (or earlier) were still recovering from whatever it is they did the night before. Because there were some brutal starts to Week 2. By and large, these slow beginnings didn't show up on the final box score.
Florida State beat South Florida 34-14 but was tied with the Bulls, 7-7, heading into halftime. Quarterback Everett Golson got off to an extremely slow start, and the passing game was practically nonexistent.
Penn State topped Buffalo 27-14 but was held scoreless through the first quarter-and-a-half, and it clung to a 13-7 lead entering the fourth quarter.
And then there was Auburn and Jacksonville State (more on that later). Though the Tigers rallied and ultimately broke through in overtime to win 27-20, it was as lethargic a performance as you're going to find in Week 2. And it kept the 53-game winless streak (now 54-game) by FCS teams against AP Top 10 teams alive.
Sometimes, slow weekends in college football can yield the most fascinating results. But at least in the early going, that wasn't the case.
Winner: Florida State Running Back Dalvin Cook
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It's shaping up to be a rebuilding year for Florida State. Regardless of how many games the Seminoles win or lose, this is an inconsistent group that's going through a lot of growing pains, especially on offense.
Because of that, running back Dalvin Cook is already stating his case to be the team's MVP. He's one of the few truly consistent spots on an offense that was anemic against South Florida. Cook had a career-high 266 yards against the Bulls in a 34-14 win. Additionally, he ran for three touchdowns, one of which came on a 74-yard jaunt. With quarterback Everett Golson slow to get going in the passing game, Cook was a savior.
The fun thing to watch with Cook is that he's such a determined runner. For all the speed he has, he also showed tremendous power, balance and vision. He broke through tackle after tackle, including one that easily could have been a horse-collar penalty.
It was Cook's fifth straight 100-yard game and first 200-yard game. The school record for consecutive 100-yard games is six by Warrick Dunn.
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Winner/Loser: Notre Dame
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In Week 1, BYU won a thrilling game at Nebraska on a Hail Mary but lost starting quarterback Taysom Hill to a season-ending foot injury. Notre Dame now knows what the Cougars felt like.
Irish quarterback Malik Zaire sustained a gruesome-looking ankle injury in a thrilling 34-27 win over Virginia. You can see a Vine of Zaire's injury here via RedditCFB, but be advised, it's graphic. DeShone Kizer, a redshirt freshman, finished out the game and threw the go-ahead touchdown to William Fuller with just 12 seconds remaining.
Survive and advance. It wasn't Notre Dame's best game, and there will be questions about the Irish's playoff chances going forward, but they remain alive for another week. Now the question becomes how well Kizer can do running the offense. According to Pete Sampson of Irish Illustrated, Zaire is done for the year with a fractured ankle.
Notre Dame is as talented as any team in college football, but injuries have already taken their toll on this squad. Running back Tarean Folston and defensive tackle Jarron Jones are both out for the season with a knee injuries.
Winner: Michigan
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Ask yourself this: When was the last time Michigan overpowered its opponent? Like really dominated them? It's been a while.
For the 12th straight year since he became a head coach, Jim Harbaugh avoided a 0-2 start to the season in a 35-7 win over Oregon State in his Michigan Stadium opener. After giving up a quick touchdown drive to start the game, the Wolverines defense clamped down. ESPN's Ted Miller tweeted the Beavers had 136 first-quarter yards but only two yards the rest of the game.
It was a better offensive performance as well. The O-line, still much-maligned, opened holes for running back De'Veon Smith to get north and south. Smith finished the game with 126 yards at 5.5 yards per rush and three touchdowns. On the whole, the Wolverines rushed for 225 yards.
Michigan overmatched the Beavers, without a doubt. This isn't Utah's stout defensive line. It could still be a long season for the Wolverines, however, and any steps forward are a good thing. Not only did Michigan win, but it took care of business. It doesn't mean Harbaugh's team will win 10 games or compete for a division title this year, but it does mean the turnaround looks promising.
Loser: Arkansas
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The great thing about Arkansas coach Bret Bielema is that he's unafraid to speak his mind (and say a few off-the-wall things along the way). But, those words can also come back to haunt him from time to time.
Consider earlier this week when the coach took a shot at Ohio State's strength of schedule, comparing the Buckeyes to his Razorbacks.
"I'm sitting there watching the other day—the Monday night game—and I spent a lot of time in that other conference," Bielema said via B/R's Barrett Sallee. "Ohio State's ranked No. 1 and they have one game remaining on their schedule against anybody ranked right now—Michigan State. I look at it, and we're going to play eight opponents that are ranked."
That might be the case. However: 1) Strength of schedule isn't a direct correlation to how good or bad a team is; 2) If Bielema is going to talk about how difficult Arkansas' schedule is, the Hogs need to take care of their games against unranked opponents.
Like Toledo. Yet, Arkansas' running game never got going, and the Rockets pulled out the 16-12 upset in Little Rock. It puts a damper on the Razorbacks' SEC West dark-horse chatter, but it's also an untimely loss given Bielema's comments. If Arkansas' schedule is as tough as Bielema says it is, the Hogs could be in trouble if Saturday was any indication.
Winner: Houston Head Coach Tom Herman
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How about a little love for first-year Houston head coach Tom Herman? The former Ohio State offensive coordinator has his Cougars at 2-0 following a thrilling 34-31 win over Louisville. It was easily the best game of the early slate.
Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is thriving in Herman's offense and accounted for 334 yards rushing and passing against the Cardinals with three touchdowns through the air. There really isn't a better marriage between head coach and quarterback possible.
While it's too early to include Houston in the undefeated/playoff-buster talk, 2-0 is a nice start, especially given the disappointment of the Tony Levine era. The schedule is manageable, and a good Houston team means the top of the American Athletic Conference could be excellent.
The season is long, but this is already looking like a great hire.
Loser: Auburn Quarterback Jeremy Johnson
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Give Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson this: When he absolutely had to play well against Jacksonville State, he did. Down 20-13 with just under a minute remaining, Johnson hit Melvin Ray for the tying score to send the game into overtime.
It was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise rough day. For the second week in a row, Johnson threw multiple interceptions. The first-year starter has thrown five picks total in the first two games. It's not like the turnovers have been a matter of bad luck or a missed assignment. Johnson has stared down receivers and made poor decisions on each interception. In that way, all of the picks look similar.
Johnson's field vision has to be called into question, if it hasn't been already.
This is a player who entered the year with Heisman hype and Cam Newton comparisons. That's not his fault, and he shouldn't be blamed for not living up to what were probably unrealistic expectations. But there are certain things a quarterback must do. So far, Johnson has not taken good care of the ball nor has he shown the ability to go through reads consistently.
Johnson has tremendous coaches on his side, but this is more of a work in progress than originally thought.
Winner: Kansas State Quarterback Joe Hubener
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There were a couple of things to be impressed with in Kansas State's 30-3 win over UTSA. For one, the Wildcats defense held the Roadrunners to a field goal and 3.7 yards per play. This is the same UTSA team that put up 32 points on Arizona in a close loss, giving the Wildcats everything they could handle in Week 1.
But let's also point out what starting quarterback Joe Hubener did. The junior, taking the place of the injured Jesse Ertz (knee), threw for 243 yards on just 23 attempts and racked up another 58 yards rushing. He also had zero interceptions.
Why is this important? He hadn't started at quarterback in more than six years, according to B/R colleague Bryan Fischer. Yeah, this Bill Snyder fellow might be a pretty good head coach who's able to get the absolute most out of everybody.
We know the Wildcats defense is going to be tough once again, but if Snyder can get Hubener to play even close to this well again on a consistent basis, K-State suddenly becomes an intriguing team to watch in Big 12 play.
Loser: Rutgers
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Oh, Rutgers. 2015 is not the year for you. To recap: Head coach Kyle Flood reportedly (and wrongly) made "contact with a university faculty member regarding the status of one of his players," according to Keith Sargeant of NJ.com. Then, five players were dismissed after being hit with various charges.
And, now, the Scarlet Knights dropped their Week 2 game against Washington State—who just the previous week lost to Football Championship Subdivision team Portland State—37-34. Rutgers gave up the go-ahead touchdown with just 24 seconds remaining in the game.
This is about as low as it gets. Other than a nonconference game against Kansas, things don't get easier for Flood's team. Given the scandals and the on-field results, the coach's job security will very much be a topic of conversation.
Winner: Quarterbacks with Insane Stats
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You like quarterbacks who put up big stats, right? Of course you do. And if you don't, it probably means you're a defensive-minded person. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Through two weeks, a pair of quarterbacks have stood out on the stat sheet: Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes and Bowling Green's Matt Johnson. Below are their respective numbers:
- Patrick Mahomes: 786 passing yards, 10 combined passing and rushing touchdowns
- Matt Johnson: 915 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns
As it so happens, Bowling Green and Texas Tech have defensive questions. Expect both of these two teams to be involved in their fair share of shootouts this season. But with these gunslingers behind center, the Red Raiders and Falcons will have a chance.
Winner: Oklahoma's Offensive Battery
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You know all that bravado that Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has? With his dance moves and all? Yeah, it manifests itself on the field. Say this for Mayfield: He never, ever lacks confidence.
That confidence was on full display in a 31-24 overtime win on the road at Tennessee.
Mayfield started slowly, not unlike the Sooners offense as a whole. For the first three quarters, Oklahoma had no life and just three points on the scoreboard. But Mayfield kept extending plays with his feet, and eventually, his spectacular incompletions turned into spectacular ones. Mayfield's final stat line (19-of-39 for 187 yards, three touchdowns and two picks) shows the ups and downs of the night. But it doesn't show how much of a spark Mayfield provided.
His favorite target, receiver Sterling Shepard, caught seven passes for 74 yards. The receiver's two touchdowns came near the end of regulation and in the second overtime.
This was easily Oklahoma's biggest win since the Sugar Bowl against Alabama two seasons ago. The Sooners defense deserves tons of credit for keeping the score close enough for a comeback, but Mayfield and Shepard were nothing short of brilliant when they needed to be.
Loser: Tennessee
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This one is going to sting for a long, long time for Tennessee. After jumping out to a 17-0 lead over Oklahoma in the first 20 minutes, the Vols gave up every one of those points in the remainder of the game.
After the teams exchanged touchdowns in the first overtime and OU scored in double OT, a Zack Sanchez interception sealed a 31-24 win for the Sooners. According to ESPN Stats and Info, it was the largest blown lead at home in Tennessee history.
What else is there to say about Tennessee at this point? The Vols, while young, have all the talent in the world. The defense, especially Jalen Reeves-Maybin, played extraordinarily through three quarters. Yet, it's the same old song. Since Phillip Fulmer's last season in 2008, the Vols are 2-30 vs. ranked teams, per Jon Solomon of CBS Sports.
This was the type of game Tennessee as a program has craved for a long time. At first, it looked like the whole thing was going according to script. Then Oklahoma made a miraculous comeback, leaving head coach Butch Jones' team in a similar position it's been in before.
"Next time."
Winner: Texas
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Yes, it is just Rice, but after the week Texas had, it needed something—anything—to go right. A 42-28 win over the Owls will do nicely.
Head coach Charlie Strong is already shaking things up. Play-caller Shawn Watson was demoted to just quarterbacks coach this week while wide receivers coach Jay Norvell was promoted. Additionally, redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard got his first career start.
Heard only attempted seven passes, completing four for 120 yards, but he showed off his wheels with nine rushes for 91 yards. Behind the Longhorns' "developing" offensive line, that's an important skill set to have that fellow quarterback Tyrone Swoopes simply doesn't.
Amazingly, Texas ran just 38 plays to Rice's 96, but it seemed like everyone got involved: Heard, running backs D'Onta Foreman and Duke Thomas, and receivers John Burt and Daje Johnson. Most importantly, it looked like Texas was having fun again. Even if for day, that's important as Strong tries to rebuild this program.
Loser: Oregon's 3rd- and 4th-Down Offense
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Oregon-Michigan State was the best game of Week 2. In that sense, the 31-28 tilt lived up to the billing. The Spartans should get credit for a statement win, and Oregon shouldn't be punished for coming up just a little short.
There's nothing more a college football fan should want.
That said, a key difference in the game was Michigan State's ability to get off the field on third and fourth downs. The Ducks were just 4-of-13 on third downs and 2-of-6 on fourth downs. The biggest stop came on the goal-line stand by the Spartans in the first half after Oregon had a 10-play, 82-yard drive.
For as mobile and slippery as Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is, Michigan State did an excellent job of getting pressure on him with its defensive front and kept him from breaking loose with his legs. The defining play was a sack that put Oregon out of field-goal range on its final offensive possession of the game.
Michigan State had some defensive questions coming into the season, but the defensive front four is one of the better units in college football. It showed up Saturday, and Oregon couldn't outmuscle it when it needed to.
Winner: Michigan State Running Back L.J. Scott
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Technically, Madre London led all Spartan running backs with his 103 yards. However, it was freshman L.J. Scott who scored two second-half touchdowns, including a 38-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Scott only had 11 carries, but it felt like Michigan State's offense leaned on him when it needed to pick up tough inside yards. To have that sort of confidence in a first-year player speaks volumes about Scott and his role as the next bruising runner in this offense.
Michigan State is deep enough at running back to have a rotation, and Scott will be a part of that. For one game, at least, he felt like the feature back, even if the carries on the stat sheet didn't quite back that up.
Loser: South Carolina's Quarterback Situation
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Adding insult to South Carolina's 26-22 loss to Kentucky on Saturday was the news that starting quarterback Connor Mitch was likely done for the year with a separated shoulder. Mitch sustained the injury in the first half against the Wildcats. Head coach Steve Spurrier made the announcement after the game.
Freshman Lorenzo Nunez and junior Perry Orth both played in relief, with Orth throwing for 179 yards, a touchdown and a pick.
South Carolina's quarterback situation has been on the dicey side since Week 1, and Mitch's injury certainly doesn't help things. It wouldn't be surprising if Spurrier mixes it up even more by getting Pharoh Cooper more involved than he normally is in the backfield with direct snaps.
Winner: LSU Running Back Leonard Fournette
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It was obvious that LSU's offense was going to run through sophomore running back Leonard Fournette this year. Now we're seeing just how much value he has for the Tigers. With quarterback Brandon Harris limited in the passing game—he attempted just 14 throws for 71 yards—Fournette rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-19 win over Mississippi State.
Perhaps Fournette's prettiest run came on his second touchdown of the night, in which he hurdled a Bulldogs defender. There's almost no stopping him. Fournette has a rare blend of speed, power, balance and vision. There's just not much a defense can do against that. Even with 10 guys in the box, Mississippi State had a hard time stopping Fournette.
In a conference of great running backs, Fournette is near the top. If Harris continues to be of little impact in the passing game, especially with contests on the line, Fournette could make a case as the most valuable offensive player in the SEC.
Loser: Mississippi State's Late-Game Management
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For a moment, it looked like Mississippi State was going to cap off an incredible rally against LSU for a come-from-behind win. Along those lines, quarterback Dak Prescott was going to have his Heisman moment. After a slow start, Prescott finished with 335 yards passing and a touchdown.
Driving the field to set up a game-winning field goal, Mississippi State faced a 3rd-and-10 at the LSU 29-yard line with eight seconds remaining. However, a delay-of-game penalty pushed the Bulldogs back five yards and eventually led to a 52-yard field-goal attempt, which Devon Bell missed.
Here's the thing, though: Head coach Dan Mullen had a timeout available. Why didn't Prescott or Mullen take that timeout? A veteran quarterback, there's no reason why Prescott couldn't make a quick sideline throw to stop the clock with enough time to still attempt the kick. At the very worst in that situation, Mississippi State would face a 47-yard field goal instead of a 52-yard field goal.
College football has a reputation for unbelievable, head-scratching, late-game time-management blunders. Unfortunately for Mississippi State, this was just the latest.
Winner: BYU, The Cardiac Cougars
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Say this for BYU: Who knows how many games the Cougars will win this season, but, boy, oh boy, have they been fun to watch. For the second week in a row, BYU won on a wild, desperate pass attempt into the end zone. Last week, it was a Hail Mary against Nebraska. On Saturday, it was a 35-yard go-ahead touchdown pass from Tanner Mangum to Mitchell Juergens on a 4th-and-7 with under a minute remaining.
Here's a video of the pass, courtesy of Larry Brown Sports. A pick-six cemented the 35-24 win, but the touchdown pass from Mangum stands out.
Call it luck; call it bad defense even, but the Cougars are separating themselves as one of the most exciting teams in college football. Now they become a fascinating team to watch with back-to-back road trips at UCLA and Michigan.
As Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports tweets, BYU is not eligible for a Group of 5 slot in a New Year's bowl. That means one thing: BYU will have to Hail Mary its way to the College Football Playoff. Every week.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
