Week two of the 2025 College Football season was definitely a change of pace following its big-time matchup predecessor in week one. However, this was what we call a “setup week,” in that it set the stage for the future of this season, and that is always important for any year.
All that aside, week two’s schedule was sprinkled with a few big upsets, and here’s how it happened.
Bulls steal thunder from Gators in Gainesville
The South Florida Bulls put the CFB world on notice when the team defeated No. 25 Boise State at home in a 34-7 beatdown that sent the Broncos into the gutters of the sport. But heading into Gainesville, into the Swamp, was set to be a true test of how serious USF was to be taken this year.
The first half was a contest between kickers rather than a battle of offense and defense. The Gators led 9-6 heading into the third quarter, where senior USF QB Byrum Brown found junior wide receiver Keshaun Singleton on a 66-yard bomb to put the Bulls up 13-9, and they would not look back, winning 18-16.
In a game where nearly 90,000 fans in attendance saw South Florida propel itself to the national stage, the Bulls now have an opportunity to make the 12-team College Football Playoff as a group of five program. All that’s in USF’s way of an easy conference schedule against nine currently unranked opponents is a date with No. 5 Miami this Saturday. Should the Bulls win, there is seemingly no way to prevent this team from stampeding into the postseason.
Cy-Hawk rivalry won in field goal contest
On a short list of teams that have gotten off to a hot start in 2025, the Iowa State Cyclones must be included. After a win in the Farmageddon rivalry in Ireland to start the year, ISU looks to avenge last year’s disappointing season, in which the team went from Big 12 favorites to out of the playoff picture in a short few weeks.
For the second straight season, the match between the Cyclones and Hawkeyes was decided by the strength of each respective team. Both teams only had one touchdown and two converted field goals before sophomore Cyclones kicker Kyle Konrardy booted a 54-yard field goal that snuck itself in between the uprights, giving ISU the win, 16-13.
Moving forward, Iowa State is now in the driver’s seat of the Big 12. The winner of a week four match between No. 20 Utah and No. 21 Texas Tech could provide the biggest competition for the Cyclones, as the team faces unranked opponents for the rest of its remaining schedule.
Sooners win despite errors, handle Wolverines
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood struggled in his first test and was unable to lead Michigan to victory on the road. Underwood had an impressive 16.22 yards per completion for 142 yards, but only had nine completions on 24 attempts as the offense was held to just 288 yards, with 75 of them coming on a junior running back Justice Haynes’ touchdown run on the first play of the second half for the team’s only touchdown.
The Sooners scored touchdowns in each of the first two quarters, taking a 14-0 lead into halftime, but after Haynes’ run put Michigan back in the game, the pressure was back on junior quarterback John Mateer and the Oklahoma offense. After trading three-and-outs, Oklahoma reclaimed a two-touchdown lead early in the third quarter.
After forcing another Michigan three-and-out, the Sooners’ defense again answered the bell after a muffed punt, holding the Wolverines to a field goal, making the score 21-10. Another Michigan field goal followed by a missed Oklahoma field goal left the Wolverines with life down 24-13, but the defense again held, and the Oklahoma offense put the game away with a 16-play drive that resulted in a field goal to win 24-13.
Mississippi State spoils Sun Devils’ comeback, upsets No. 12 Arizona State
Coming off a 2-10 2024 season, the Bulldogs found early-season momentum against Arizona State.
Mississippi State jumped out to a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, then extended the lead when senior quarterback Blake Shapen threw a beautiful 47-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Brenen Thompson early in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs’ defense held sophomore Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt to 2/9 passing for two yards and an interception on the Sun Devils’ first five drives.
Leavitt, however, found junior receiver Jordyn Tyson for 23 yards late in the half, and aided by a Mississippi State penalty, Arizona State cashed in a field goal to make the halftime score 17-3.
The Sun Devils came out of the locker room with a ground-and-pound game plan, going 75 yards in eight plays, all of which were runs, to score a touchdown on the first drive of the second half, cutting the lead to 17-10.
Arizona State tied the game at 17-17 on the fourth quarter’s first drive before taking a 20-17 lead with under two minutes remaining.
However, with under 45 seconds remaining, Shapen found Thompson down the sideline, who got away from his defender for a 58-yard touchdown pass to win the game for the Bulldogs, knocking Arizona State out of the top 25.
Moving Ahead
In contrast to week two, week three seems to be loaded with ranked vs ranked matches with serious implications. I’m gonna stick with the hot hand and say that USF vs Miami is this week’s game to watch.
This week may not have had the flash and splendor that a week of college football usually brings. But when the season is over and you go back and see how it all unfolded, this “set-up” week will be most important.
Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.
Demetri Manousos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].