College Football 2025
College Football made its long-awaited return last weekend, providing us with many upsets and thrilling games.
This week, the majority of games played by teams in the Top 25 were very much one-sided affairs. This is an unfortunate reality at this point in the season, and it won’t be until week 4 that the action begins to become competitive.
For this week’s review, we are going to try something different and summarize the entire weekend of action.
What Happened in Week 2 of the 2025 College Football Season?
Grambling @ #1 Ohio State
The number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes had a significantly easier test than last week when they faced the Grambling Tigers. This game was very different to last week’s defensive masterclass, with quarterback Julian Sayin throwing four touchdowns, going 18 from 19, as the Buckeyes shut out Grambling 70-0.
Florida International @ #2 Penn State
The number two-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions faced the Florida International Panthers this week. This game went very much as expected. A strong performance from the Nittany Lions gave them a 34-0 win.
Louisiana Tech @ #3 LSU
The number three-ranked LSU Tigers played the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier continued his hunt for the Heisman Trophy with a 237-yard and one-touchdown performance in what was a simple win for the Tigers. In the end, LSU beat Louisiana Tech 23-7.
Austin Peay @ #4 Georgia
The number four-ranked Georgia Bulldogs faced their only FCS side of the season when they met the Austin Peay Governors. This was not the blowout we expected. Georgia failed to gain any momentum for their emerging offensive, with only small rushing touchdowns finding the endzone. In the end, Georgia won 28-6 and will need a better performance next week.
Embed from Getty ImagesBethune-Cookman @ #5 Miami
Carson Beck’s tenure with the number five-ranked Miami Hurricanes continued this week with a win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Beck threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns in their 45-3 victory.
Oklahoma State @ #6 Oregon
The number six-ranked Oregon Ducks faced the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a game that, two years ago, would have been a battle between top teams in the Pac-12 and Big 12 Conferences. However, things are entirely different now, and the Cowboys are a significantly weaker side. Ducks quarterback Dante Moore scored three touchdowns and threw for 266 yards in a 69-3 thrashing of OK State.
San Jose State @ #7 Texas
The number seven-ranked Texas Longhorns hoped to avenge their defeat to Ohio State last weekend with a win over the San Jose State Spartans. For most of the first quarter, it looked like the Longhorns would struggle. But then, Arch Manning and company woke up and scored four touchdowns on their next four drives. In the end, the Longhorns defeated San Jose 38-7, with Manning throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Troy @ #8 Clemson
On paper, the number eight-ranked Clemson Tigers should have easily been able to defeat the Troy Trojans. But this is not the case in reality. During the first quarter, the Trojans had a 16-0 lead over Clemson. While the Tigers would strike back, it would not be until the third quarter that the Tigers took the lead. Clemson would eventually win the game 27-16, a performance that will significantly impact Clemson’s ranking and elevate Troy’s status.
South Carolina State @ #10 South Carolina
The 10th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks faced the South Carolina State Bulldogs in a game in which the Gamecocks struggled at times on offence. They would win the game 38-10, but they will need to improve if they are to be contenders for the CFP.
#11 Illinois @ Duke
The number 11-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini faced the Duke Blue Devils in a football game between two basketball powerhouses. The game was very much a one-sided affair. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for three touchdowns, but the Duke offense was very much potent. Five turnovers from the Blue Devils prevented any offense from being created, as the Fighting Illini won the game 45-19.
#12 Arizona State @ Mississippi State
The number 12-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils faced their first challenge of the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mississippi State are one of the weaker SEC teams, but would still be a challenge for the Big 12 conference champions. This was a very close game that went down to the wire. On the final drive of the game, Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen found Brenen Thompson for a 58-yard touchdown pass to give Mississippi State a 24-20 win over the Sun Devils.
Embed from Getty ImagesSouth Florida @ #13 Florida
The consensus from last week was that the number 13-ranked Florida Gators are back. This week, the now back Gators faced the South Florida Bulls. This was a very close game throughout, with the outcome decided by the final drive of the game. The final drive was in South Florida’s possession, and the Bulls were able to get the ball into field goal territory. Then, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give the Bulls a surprise 18-16 win. Florida is likely not back.
East Texas A&M @ #14 Florida State
Florida may not be back, but the number 14-ranked Florida State Seminoles could very much be. After last week’s win over Alabama, the Seminoles have the straightforward task of playing the East Texas A&M Lions. The Lions have only been a Division I program since 2022, and it showed in this game. Florida State dismantled the Lions 77-3, with new star quarterback Tommy Castellano scoring three touchdowns and throwing for 237 yards from only eight complete passes.
#15 Michigan @ #18 Oklahoma
In the only battle between ranked teams this week, the number 15-ranked Michigan Wolverines faced the number 18-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. This served as a reality check for new Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who struggled in this game. Sooners QB John Mateer had another strong performance in the Sooners’ 24-13 win over Michigan.
Iowa @ #16 Iowa State
The Cy-Hawk trophy was up for grabs as the number 16-ranked Iowa State Cyclones faced rivals the Iowa Hawkeyes. In typical Iowa fashion, this was not a high-scoring affair, with the scores level with five minutes left on the clock. Then, Cyclones kicker Kyle Konrady successfully made a 54-yard field goal, and the Hawkeyes were unable to respond to this kick. This gave Iowa State a 16-13 win.
Embed from Getty ImagesBaylor @ #17 SMU
There was a very entertaining affair when the number 17-ranked SMU Mustangs faced the Baylor Bears. Going into the fourth quarter, the Mustangs had a two-score lead and appeared poised to win the game. Then the Bears found the endzone twice, with Sawyer Robertson finding Kobe Prentice for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds left to level the score. SMU failed the game-winning field goal, sending the game to overtime. Baylor would win the game in double overtime, recording a surprise 48-45 win over the Mustangs.
Utah State @ #19 Texas A&M
We had the battle of the Aggies this weekend as the number 19 ranked Texas A&M Aggies faced the Utah State Aggies. A&M quarterback Marcel Reed threw for three touchdowns and 220 yards as Utah State were easily dispatched by the team from College Station 44-22.
#20 Ole Miss @ Kentucky
The opening game of the SEC was this weekend, as the number 20-ranked Ole Miss Rebels faced the Kentucky Wildcats. Ole Miss were able to start their conference calendar strong, with running back Kewan Lacy recording 138 yards and one touchdown in their 30-23 win over Kentucky.
UL Monroe @ #21 Alabama
Last week, the now number 21-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide was defeated by the Florida State Seminoles. They wanted to avenge this defeat and show how strong they are by defeating the UL Monroe Warhawks. This was something they were able to do. Bama quarterback Ty Simpson went 17 for 17 and scored three touchdowns in their easy 73-0 win.
East Tennessee State @ 22 Tennessee
The number 22-ranked Tennessee Volunteers faced the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. Former Michigan and Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara lead the Buccaneers. He could not use his experience in this game. The Volunteers easily won the game 72-17.
Kennesaw State @ #23 Indiana
The number 23-ranked Indiana Hoosiers faced one of the youngest Division I programs in Kennesaw State this week. Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza threw for four touchdowns in a simple 56-9 win.
Embed from Getty ImagesKent State @ #24 Texas Tech
The number 24-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders faced the Keny State Golden Flashes this week. Kent State are one of the worst FBS teams, and was no match for the Red Raiders. Tech made a total of 601 yards on offense in their 62-14 win.
Cal Poly @ #25 Utah
The number 25-ranked Utah Utes faced the Cal Poly Mustangs. This game went very much as expected, with the Utes winning 63-9.
Next week, there are two stories to tell. This will be either the final week of the biggest teams playing weaker opponents (with a few exceptions). However, there are also many big games, with Georgia vs. Tennessee being the most significant of these.