Week 2 of the College Football season has concluded and one conference sticks out over the rest. Week 2 was highlighted by Sun Belt victories for Marshall and App State over #8 Notre Dame and #6 Texas A&M. Both victories occurred on the road and that makes 4 victories for Sun Belt teams over Power 5 programs after Old Dominion beat Virgina Tech week 1 and Georgia Southern beat Nebraska this week as well.
Top Headlines from Week 2
Marshall upsets Notre Dame in South Bend; App State defeats Texas A&M in College Station
Marcus Freeman has officially become the first coach in Notre Dame history to lose his first 3 games as head coach and that is thanks to the Marshall Thundering Herd. Notre Dame spent $1.2 million to host Marshall in what they thought was an easy victory, instead the Marshall defense came in clutch. Multiple interceptions including a pick 6 by Steven Gilmore to ice the game for the Herd. The victory gives coach Charles Huff a win over a top 10 team in just his 2nd season. Texas Tech transfer QB Henry Colombi and Florida State transfer RB Khalan Laborn led the offense that saw them pick a part a dominate Notre Dame defense. The loss kicked Notre Dame out of the top 25 and moved Marshall right into the conversation of one of the top G5 programs. Charles Huff has something special brewing down in Huntington.
App State is forever remembered for their upset win over Michigan in the Big House in 2007. They can now add another major upset with their victory over the Aggies. When Jimbo Fisher looks at the stats in this week's loss, he should note A&M never touched the ball. App State dominated the time of possession. App State's run game was the key to the victory with two drives in the second half of at least 11 plays. App State now needs to reset as College Gameday is headed there for their week 3 match-up with Troy.
Future Conference Foes Squared off in Austin
Texas got their first taste of SEC football as they hosted top ranked Alabama. The biggest takeaway from this game is simple...Alabama is beatable. They squeaked out the 20-19 victory, but Alabama would have lost if Texas QB Quin Ewers would have stayed healthy. Ewers is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with the injury and Hudson Card will get the start for the Longhorns in his absence. Alabama relied heavily on the passing game only getting 161 yards on the ground. While Bryce Young gathered 231 yards on 39 throws with 1 TD. This game was the future of SEC football with Texas getting ready to join by 2024. Alabama is beatable and the AP votes show that as well. After the victory Georgia overtook Alabama for the #1 spot in college football. Alabama will need to revisit the run game if they want to win a national championship.
Nebraska Fired Scott Frost (Finally)
After a $15 million payout, Scott Frost is a free man. Nebraska announced they have relieved Frost of his coaching duties and will begin a national search for his replacement. The move comes after Nebraska's 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday. Assistant Coach Mickey Joseph will take over as Interim Head Coach for their game this week against Oklahoma. A former QB for Nebraska, Frost returned home 3 years ago in attempt to change the culture of the program. After he led UCF to a perfect 13-0 record he seemed like the guy. However, a 16-31 record found himself in the unemployment line.
Michigan picks J.J McCarthy as QB1
Michigan went with non-traditional approach in picking their starting QB. They let each player start 1 game, and by week 3 Jim Harbuagh would have his guy. It was either McCarthy or returning starter Cade McNamara. After a dominating victory over Hawaii, McCarthy won the job. The fourth ranked Wolverines will take on UConn this week in Ann Arbor.
BYU wins a 2 OT game to upset Baylor.
#21 BYU used Lopini Katoa TD to take down #9 Baylor in double overtime. BYU was without its top two receivers but used a ferocious defense to stay in the game. They got to the Baylor QB 4 times in the game and had 6 tackles for a loss all game. Special teams were an issue for both teams with multiple missed kicks all night. The win gives BYU their 6th win over a top 10 team. Baylor will need to get more disciplined with the penalties and they were getting killed with penalties all night. A sloppy game for Baylor ultimately results in the upset loss.
For Johnny U... Sean Clifford better step up
Top 5 Winners and Losers from Week 2
Winners
The Sun Belt Conference-3 wins over Power 5 schools including 2 top 10 teams.
Scott Frost- If Nebraska waited two more weeks his $15 million payout would have been only $7.5 million
Georgia Bulldogs- Retook the #1 ranking over Alabama
Texas Longhorns- They lost Ewers, but Hudson Card is just as good. Texas Football is headed in the right direction and this week proved that.
Mark Stoops- After the week 2 victory, he is now the programs all-time winningest coach.
Losers
Marcus Freeman- First Irish coach to lose his first 3 games as head coach in program history
Bryan Harsin- Auburn didn't want to be the first school to fire their coach...Harsin's seat is heating up.
Jimbo Fisher- Another bad loss kills his chance of playing the college football playoff with A&M
Cade McNamara- Officially lost his starting job in Michigan
Nebraska- Look up at Scott Frost and realize why Nebraska did not win this week.