STILLWATER, Okla. — Week 2 of the 2025 college football season delivered the goods. Upsets, meltdowns, coaches getting roasted, and yes, a couple of teams hanging 70 burgers like they were running a backyard grill. Winners strutted. Losers sulked. And as always, the fans overreacted in spectacular fashion.
Let’s dive into who thrived and who face-planted this week in college football. USF over Florida headlines a chaotic week! Let’s dive in!
Winner: USF, King of the Swamp
The South Florida Bulls did the unthinkable — they went into The Swamp and beat Florida. Not just a field-goal fluke, not a bad-weather miracle. They flat out beat them. The Bulls ran for over 200 yards, shredded the Gators’ defense like a Publix sub wrapper, and left Gainesville in shock.
Florida fans, who once thought they’d be competing for the SEC again, are now rethinking whether they can compete with Vanderbilt.
Loser: Florida, Gator Tears in Gainesville
Florida is supposed to dominate teams like USF. Instead, they were dominated. The Gators couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t move the ball consistently, and their fans started booing before halftime. It’s never a good sign when “We want Spurrier” starts trending again.
Florida looked soft, and now Billy Napier’s seat is hotter than a Jacksonville teal chairback at EverBank Stadium in August.
Winner: Mississippi State, Bulldog Heart Attack Special
Mississippi State nearly walked off Arizona State in a thriller that gave every Bulldog fan a few extra gray hairs. The Bulldogs leaned on quarterback Blake Shapen, who threw for nearly 300 yards and made clutch plays when it mattered most. They looked resilient, poised, and like a team ready to grind out wins in the SEC, despite a daunting schedule.
The Dawgs, no not that team in Athens, but the one home to Hank’s Championship BBQ, are back in the College Football headlines, at least for now.
Loser: Arizona State, Desert Mirage
The Sun Devils had the comeback win in their hands — and then let it slip, just like the Peach Bowl against Texas. It was like watching someone fumble their car keys into a storm drain.
Arizona State’s offense stalled at the worst possible moments, and the defense forgot the basic rule of football: don’t let the other team’s best players run free in the secondary in prevent / drop coverage.
Winner: Oklahoma, Statement Made
Oklahoma controlled the game on Michigan in Norman, leaving no doubt about who belonged in the playoff conversation early. The Sooners’ offense clicked on every level early and grinded out an ugly game, which was more than enough to fend off an upstart Wolverines roster. The defense? Ferocious.
Michigan, meanwhile, looked like a team that thought last year’s late season success came with rollover minutes. Sherrone Moore, meet reality. You’re the actual “born on third base” coach, not Ryan Day.
Loser: Michigan, Welcome Back to Earth
The Wolverines looked like they were sleepwalking. The offense was predictable, the defense was a step slow, and Moore’s decision-making raised eyebrows. Michigan fans who were talking dynasty two weeks ago are suddenly Googling “basketball season start date,” and watching JJ McCarthy highlights in Vikings jerseys.
Winner: Army, Cadets March Over Kansas State
Army beating Kansas State is peak college football. No gimmicks. No NIL drama. Just three yards, a cloud of dust, and a defense that wouldn’t quit. Army’s ground attack churned clock and bullied a Kansas State front that looked confused and undersized.
The Cadets planted a flag in Manhattan, Kansas, that says: “Don’t forget about us,” after a surprising Week 1 loss to Tarleton State. That’s certainly one way to respond.
Winner: Iowa State, Giant Killers Again
Iowa State knocked off another Power 4 team. At this point, it feels like their entire brand is ruining bigger schools’ Saturdays. The Cyclones’ defense forced turnovers, and quarterback Rocco Becht looked sharp. They may not win every game, but they’re the team nobody wants to see on their schedule, as the pesky resilience of Matt Campbell’s bunch proves to be the thorn in another Power 4’s side.
Iowa State might have the best resume in the country outside the Tampa metro. Yes, you read that correct.
Loser: Iowa, Hawkeyes Still Can’t Score
Iowa, bless their hearts, continue to play 1960s football in 2025. They scored less than a middle school flag football team again and managed to waste another strong defensive effort. It’s like they’re allergic to touchdowns. Kirk Ferentz’s squad remains the same old story: punt, punt, field goal, sigh. At least it was a good harvest season, or so we were told. The Knoxville Nationals and the Field of Dreams Game are the only sporting excitement outside of Ames in the Hawkeye State.
Winner: Ohio, MAC Attack
Ohio took care of business and showed they might be the MAC’s best hope for national noise, despite a new coaching staff in Athens. Their offense was efficient, and they kept their foot on the gas. The Bobcats don’t get much shine, but wins like this demand attention. Ohio went toe to toe with Rutgers on the road in Week 1 and stunned West Virginia at home in Week 2.
Could the Bobcats go back to back in the MAC with Parker Navarro under center?
Winner: Illinois, Smashmouth Returns
Illinois flexed in a gritty Big Ten-style win, leaning on defense and pounding the ball on the ground in Durham. The Illini aren’t flashy, but they’re the kind of team that ruins playoff hopes with an untimely upset. They looked like the team Bret Bielema promised fans he’d build after stops at Wisconsin and Arkansas.
‘Big Game Burt’ is looking like a tale of the past. Illinois is for real, folks.
Winner: NC State, Wolfpack Bites Back
The Wolfpack picked up a big win and showed they’re not just a middle-of-the-pack ACC fodder this time around. The defense swarmed, the offense spread the ball around, and NC State fans can actually dream of relevance in the ACC. For one week, they’re smiling. A win over ECU to avenge last year’s Military Bowl loss in a rivalry spot and a comeback for the ages on Virginia will do that. Sure, the scoreboard may show 31 points given up, but the Pack locked in for the second half, only surrendering 7 points. NC State picked off the Hoo’s late to secure the victory. Now, can it win on the road against an abysmal Demon Deacons squad?
Winner: Baylor, Big 12 Spoiler Alert
Baylor’s win wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. They’re not back in the Art Briles “we’re going to score 60” sense, but they looked competent, physical, and opportunistic. The Big 12 better not sleep on them, despite a Week 1 loss at home to an improved Auburn squad. Baylor fought back against SMU on Saturday to steal one in 2OT. The Bears may have just saved their season, with everything still to play for.
Loser: Clemson, Dabo the Megachurch Pastor
Yes, Clemson won. Barely. And that’s the problem. Dabo Swinney looked like a televangelist begging for donations after his team sleepwalked through two quarters before rallying to beat a cupcake. The Tigers don’t scare anyone anymore. Dabo preaching about “doing it the Clemson way” rings hollow when the product looks like reruns of “Touched by an Angel.” Give Clemson credit for rallying back from a 16-0 deficit against an underrated Troy team, but even 27 unanswered leave us scratching our heads.
How do you come out that flat, AGAIN and at HOME? You’d think a Week 1 dud against LSU would have woken Clemson up for a cupcake cruise on Saturday, right? Wrong! “Little ‘Ole Clemson” is getting a little too cute with its food. Oh, and did we mention the postgame locker room dances posted to the official team account? This isn’t 2016 anymore, Dabo!
Georgia Tech is licking their chops if we don’t see vast improvement from the Tigers in Week 3. It’s time to get serious in the Upstate. Winning the press conference won’t save you at Bobby Dodd this week.
Loser: Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy’s Expiration Date
Oregon torched Oklahoma State, and Mike Gundy looked washed. At this point, he’s less “I’m a man, I’m 40” and more “I’m a man, I’m retired and yelling at clouds.” Oregon’s offense shredded the Cowboys’ defense like wet tissue paper, and Gundy looked out of answers.
The Cowboys are cooked, and everyone knows it, including Gundy himself. Need we say more?
Loser: Virginia Tech, Hokies Hit Rock Bottom
The Hokies dropped another clunker, and the program that once owned the ACC looks lost in the wilderness. The defense gave up big plays, the offense sputtered, and the Lane Stadium magic feels long gone. Enter Sandman? More like exit relevance. An inspiring first three quarters against South Carolina in Atlanta feel like ages ago at this point, right?
The Hokies can tout hanging with the Gamecocks for 45 minutes all they want, but the scoreboard still shows 0-2 and a pair of routes. It’s gut check time in Blacksburg and the Beamer Ball Bus is long gone.
$20 million annually may not be enough to bring Shane home and carry on the Beamer legacy, so good luck, Hokies. A fanbase worthy of SEC inclusion can only long for better days watching DVD tapes of Michael Vick and BCS Bowl appearances.
Loser: UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback Woes
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava had a day to forget again on Saturday. Turnovers piled up, decision-making went sideways, and the Bruins’ offense looked completely disjointed for the second straight week. For a program desperate to stay competitive in the Big Ten, this was a gut punch.
The Bruins are essentially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 2 unless they win out and grab the Big Ten Championship. Well, there’s a better chance Sydney Sweeney knocks on my door in American Eagle jeans looking for a date night than that happening this year.
Winner: Alabama and Ohio State, 70 Burgers for Everyone
Alabama and Ohio State both dropped 70 points like they were Oprah giving out cars. “You get a touchdown, you get a touchdown!” The Tide’s offense rolled, while the Buckeyes shredded their opponent so thoroughly the NCAA may file a restraining order. These teams reminded everyone why they live in the playoff conversation permanently, despite a Week 1 flop from the Tide.
Kalen DeBoer did as much as he could against a cupcake to quiet the hot seat rumors. Now, it’s game on for Alabama, as the schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. As for the Buckeyes, it looks like a smooth sailing until the date with Penn State and Jim Knowles in November.
Honorable Mention: Georgia Fans Never Happy
Georgia won. Again. But they only scored 28 against Austin Peay. Dawgs fans immediately demanded the backup quarterback start. Kirby Smart probably wins his 500th game someday, and the Athens faithful will still chant for the backup. Some things never change.
Now, we find out who the Dawgs really are. It’s put up or shut up time in Knoxville this week. History shows Georgia should be just fine.
Final Thoughts
Week 2 gave us chaos, laughs, and the perfect reminder of why Saturdays matter, no matter how light the slate may appear at first glance. South Florida toppled Florida in the Swamp. Oklahoma bullied Michigan in Norman. Army humbled Kansas State in Manhattan, no not the one with the skyscrapers. And Oregon sent Mike Gundy into an existential crisis. College football is back, and it’s as messy, glorious, and unpredictable as ever.
You hear that? The Feels Like 2007 posts are being crafted as we speak. USF is back. Mizzou is rolling again. LSU and Ohio State are juggernauts. Could this really be the ’07 sequel we so badly deserve?
Make sure to check back with EasySportz in Week 3 for everything college football related!
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