Ducks’ big victory shows they’re legit
The Ducks get a statement win. After becoming a punch line, the last few years, the Pac-12 received a much-needed win thanks to Oregon handing No. 3 Ohio State its first home loss since 2017. It was the Ducks’ first win over a top-five team since 2019 and clearly sent a message that Mario Cristobal’s team is an early contender for the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State needs a defensive overhaul. Ohio State entered its showdown with Oregon facing questions on the defensive side of the football. Those questions turned to full-fledged panic after the Buckeyes allowed 505 yards to the Ducks, including five explosive plays of 20-or-more yards. That included a 77-yard touchdown run. It was the second run of 50-plus yards the team has allowed this season.
Iowa is playing championship defense. Iowa is a perfect 2-0 to start the season in part because of its ball-hawking skills on defense. The Hawkeyes have six interceptions including picking off Iowa State’s Brock Purdy three times this weekend. It was the Cyclones’ sixth consecutive loss in the rivalry series. The Iowa defense is good enough to contend in the Big Ten, let alone make a run at a semifinal spot in the playoffs.
Texas A&M survives but its playoff hopes take a hit. Texas A&M was an overwhelming favorite going into its game against Colorado, but the Aggies failed to score a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter to send them to a win over the Buffaloes. More concerning is the longterm health of quarterback Haynes King, who missed most of the contest after suffering a lower-body injury early in the game.
The Longhorns aren’t ready for SEC football. Texas and Oklahoma aren’t set to leave the Big 12 for the SEC until 2025 at the latest, but the Longhorns received a rude awakening after Arkansas handed them their first loss of the season. The Razorbacks, picked to finish sixth in the SEC West, outmanned and outgunned Texas for its second victory over a ranked opponent in Sam Pittman’s tenure with the Hogs.
Georgia finds an offense to match its defense. After scoring just 10 points in its opening win over Clemson last week, the Bulldogs found their offense and poured it on with 56 points and 539 yards against UAB. Stetson Bennett, playing for the injured QB JT Daniels, passed for 288 yards and five touchdowns in a nearly perfect performance against the Blazers.
Notre Dame is living dangerously. QB Jack Coan found Michael Mayer for an 18-yard touchdown with 1:09 left to lift Notre Dame past an upset-minded Toledo. It was the second consecutive week that the Fighting Irish needed some late heroics, staving off Florida State in overtime the previous week. Brian Kelly’s team is undefeated but by the slightest of margins — six total points.
The Gators face a quandary at quarterback. Florida coach Dan Mullen is facing criticism for his handling of the quarterback battle between Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson. Richardson, a redshirt freshman, has been dazzling in relief of Jones, who has struggled with early turnovers. Still, Mullen is committed to featuring both players in his offense even as the Gators prepare to face No. 1 Alabama this week.
BYU had quite the week. A day after celebrating the news that BYU was one of four schools joining the Big 12 Conference, QB Jaren Hall threw three touchdown passes as the Cougars snapped a nine-game losing streak to in-state rival Utah in front of more than 63,000 frenzied fans who stormed the field in celebration.
Pac-12 sees its playoff hopes take a turn for the worse.
What started as a banner day for the Pac-12 following Oregon’s win over No. 3 Ohio State, turned into bitter disappointment after USC, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Cal suffered losses. Those results left the league with just three undefeated teams after the first two weeks of the season.