College Football Week 2 Recap: Top 25 Shockers, Oklahoma Rises, and Florida Falls Flat
- Gareth Evans
- Sep 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Compared to the match up riches on offer in Week 1 of the college football season, the slate of Week 2 fixtures looked like it might be a little lacklustre in comparison. Hold on. At least three teams didn't read the script.
Three teams in the Top 25 experienced unexpected defeats, a struggling, storied SEC team began to show signs of potential as a contender, and another team placed their coach squarely back on the hot seat.
No.15 Michigan 13, No.18 Oklahoma 24
It's hard to believe this was only the second meeting between these two historic college football programs. An intriguing backstory was that Michigan coach Sherrone Moore played as a guard at Oklahoma during the 2006/2007 season, a time when Brent Venables, the current head coach of the Sooners, was serving as the associate head coach.
Venables oversaw a hard-fought victory for Oklahoma, 24-13 over their northern rival Wolverines, which marked something of a transition for both programs. The Sooners looked energised by their new quarterback, the impressive Washington State Cougars transfer John Mateer.
Mateer, joined in Norman by his former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, completed 21 of 34 passed for 270 yards and a touchdown while also running in two touchdowns and rushing for 74 yards. There is a relentlessly competitive air about the junior quarterback that hasn't been seen in Norman since Baker Mayfield, the Heisman-winning passer led the Sooners to the national championship semi-final in 2017. Receiver Deion Burks should be a useful foil for Mateer. The junior quarterback had seven receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan, rebuilding under the tutelage of former Sooner guard Moore, appear to be earlier in their journey to return to national prominence. In true freshman Bryce Underwood, they have a promising future at the quarterback position. The young signal caller struggled under the bright lights, completing just 9 of 24 passes for 146 yards against a physical Sooners defence.
Justice Haynes was a bright spark. The former Alabama running back scored an explosive 75-yard touchdown that kept the Wolverines competitive. Michigan will improve, starting this Saturday as they host Central Michigan, but look a little off the pace to contend in the Big Ten this year. Oklahoma, who travel to Temple, could be a dark horse in the changing SEC, which looks open this year and will fancy their chances of knocking off Texas in the Red River Rivalry on October 11th.
Upsets in the Top 25
Baylor 48, No.17 Southern Methodist University 45
If you didn't catch it at the weekend, the Baylor-SMU shootout is well worth the watch. Baylor's 48-45 win after two overtimes was their 14th consecutive win over the Mustangs. This was the first game between the two schools since 2016, which seems ridiculous considering they are just 100 miles apart.
Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw for over 4oo yards for consecutive games, the first Big 12 quarterback to do so since Patrick Mahomes in 2016. Robertson completed 34 of 50 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns, two to Josh Cameron, who had 151 receiving yards. Counterpart Kevin Jennings threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns in a frustrating loss for SMU, who missed a 38-yard field goal in double overtime to hand the initiative, and game, to Baylor.
University of South Florida 18, No.13 Florida 16
Having eased himself off the hot seat in the second half of last season with a string of impressive conference victories, Florida coach Billy Napier is firmly back on it after this humbling loss to USF. Napier wasn't helped by a number of penalties, including a revolting spitting incident that saw defensive lineman Braden Brett ejected.
The win against then-ranked opposition could elevate USF's bid to land the playoff spot given to the best Group of Six team. Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 263 yards, the highlight being a 66-yard touchdown pass to Keyshawn Singleton.
Napier needs a morale boosting victory, and quickly. It won't be easy. The Gators have a horrible schedule ahead, facing LSU, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M in the next few weeks.
No.12 Arizona State 20-24 Mississippi State
Mississippi State's first win over a Top 15 non-conference opponent since 1991 gave head coach Jeff Lebby a huge boost. His Bulldogs move to 2-0, already matching their win total from last season. Blake Shapen threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt was held to just 82 yards passing, and was intercepted twice as Arizona State were stunned in a reverse of last year's 30-23 win over the Bulldogs.
In other games...
Julian Sayin impressed, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns as No.1 Ohio State thrashed Grambling State 70-0 in Columbus. Sayin's favourite target was Jeremiah Smith, who reeled in two touchdowns and 119 receiving yards. The Tigers received $1 million for the privilege.
Carson Beck completed his first 15 passes, a Miami school record beating Vinny Testaverde's mark of 14 in 1986. Beck looks to have settled quickly as the No.5 Hurricanes' quarterback, completing 22 of 24 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-3 win over Bethune-Cookman. Beck has now completed 185 passes without an interception, stretching back to his Georgia days.
No.7 Texas bounced back from their opening week loss with a 38-7 home win over San Jose State. Arch Manning regained his form, accounting for five touchdowns and 295 passing yards.
In the 71st meeting of one of college football's more under radar rivalries, Iowa State retained the Cy-Hawk Trophy thanks to a 54-yard Kyle Konrady trophy, edging Iowa 16-13 in Ames.
No.21 Alabama bounced back after their surprise opening day loss with a 73-0 shutout annihilation of University of Louisiana-Monroe, while their Week 1 conquerors No.14 Florida State scored on 10 consecutive drives in a 77-3 demolition of East Texas A&M.
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