The second week of the 2024 college football season has concluded, and it treated us to an action-packed Saturday.
Some teams established themselves as contenders for the revamped 12-team College Football Playoff, while others were pushed to the brink by unexpected foes.
Now that it’s all said and done, here are some of the biggest winners and losers from Week 2:
Winners
Texas
Michigan hadn’t lost a game at the Big House since 2020. Even though they lost stars J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson and Mike Sainristil to the draft, the Wolverines are the defending champs.
Texas didn’t care about any of that. Quarterback Quinn Ewers connected with tight end Gunnar Helm for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and the Longhorns never looked back. Ewers finished with 246 yards passing and three scores, cementing himself as a Heisman candidate.
Michigan’s lone touchdown came on a 31-yard reception by Semaj Morgan with 1:54 remaining. It was Davis Warren’s longest completion of the game, and he was intercepted twice while Ewers was turnover-free.
Texas returns home to face UTSA in Week 3.
Tennessee
The Volunteers’ 51-10 victory over North Carolina State gave them a much-needed resumé builder as they approach SEC play. With Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas still on the schedule, Tennessee needed to notch a victory against a ranked opponent Saturday.
Propelled by Dylan Sampson’s 132 rushing yards and two scores, the Vols’ offense found its stride in the second half. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava wasn’t perfect, as he tossed two touchdowns but turned the ball over twice.
Tennessee was able to find production on both sides of the ball, though. The game’s most significant play came when the Wolfpack had the ball in the red zone trailing 10-3. Walk-on Will Brooks jumped a screen pass and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown.
Tennessee will host Kent State next week before traveling to Norman for a showdown with Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State
On a day where Ollie Gordon couldn’t find any running room, the Cowboys somehow managed to gut out a 39-31 win over Arkansas in double overtime.
Oklahoma State trailed 21-7 at halftime, and their only points came from a Kale Smith pick six in the second quarter.
Seventh-year senior Alan Bowman threw for 326 yards, one touchdown and one interception to compensate for a lack of a rushing attack. Though Gordon only ran for 49 yards, his 12-yard touchdown in double overtime was the game winning score.
The Cowboys travel to Tulsa before hosting Utah in a pivotal Big 12 matchup.
Losers
Notre Dame
After beating Texas A&M at Kyle Field, the Irish only had two ranked opponents left on the calendar, essentially making their path to the College Football Playoff a cakewalk; until Northern Illinois came into South Bend and pulled off the 16-14 upset over the nation’s No. 5 team.
With the loss, Notre Dame plummeted to No. 18 in the AP Poll. They still have a chance to qualify for the 12-team CFP field, but they’ll have to be perfect the rest of the way.
The Irish travel to West Lafayette for a date with Purdue next week.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes had no business losing to Iowa State, especially after pitching a shutout in the first half.
Even after Iowa State manufactured a scoring drive in the third quarter, Iowa responded with a touchdown of their own. Unfortunately, on the ensuing drive, they allowed Rocco Becht and Jaylin Noel to connect on a 75-yard score for the Cyclones, cutting the deficit to 19-14.
Two fourth quarter field goals gave Iowa State the rivalry win, 20-19.
Iowa’s defense letting them down is uncharacteristic, and it doesn’t seem like they are quite the same unit as last season.
The Hawkeyes look to rebound against Troy in Week 3.
Colorado
Coach Prime’s squad didn’t beat many teams last year, but one of their wins came against Nebraska. They couldn’t replicate their success, though, as the Buffs were routed 28-10 by Dylan Raiola and company.
Raiola completed 23 of 30 passes for 185 yards and a score, outdueling Shedeur Sanders, who was 23 for 38 for 244 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Sanders was also sacked five times, much of which was due to poor offensive line play.
Colorado has a difficult Big 12 schedule in front of them, and it’ll be an uphill battle if they want to make a bowl game.
The Buffs are on the road again in Week 3 for a rivalry game against Colorado State.
In the Shadows Sports 
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