This story was originally published by Dead Spin
College football season really feels like it’s heating up now.
Week 2 involved numerous upsets. The bluebloods like Ohio State and Georgia dominated again, but this isn’t about them. This is about the real winners of Week 2, the teams that were able to flex their muscles in their own, unique ways.
Like Nebraska, who played the role of America’s Team, exposing the Colorado Buffaloes on national television. The Cornhuskers are 2-0 and might be for real. Let’s hop into the biggest winners of Week 2 in the college football world.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Dominate Colorado
The evil empire has fallen, as Nebraska trounced Colorado 28-10. The game was 28-0 at halftime.
Nebraska’s defense was dominant, making Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders extremely uneasy in the pocket. This Colorado team led by head coach Deion Sanders received so much hype, but this good ole team from the Midwest extinguished all of that quickly in Week 2.
Last week, Coach Prime’s Buffaloes had a postgame concert in the locker room after their narrow victory over North Dakota State University. This week, it’ll be back to the drawing board as they need to find creative ways to protect their quarterback.
Not only was Nebraska’s defense stout, but quarterback Dylan Raiola truly does look like a carbon copy of Patrick Mahomes, and not just because of the hair and shades. Railoa completed 76 percent of his passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, efficiently operating Nebraska’s offense.
Northern Illinois was the story of week 2
Aug 31, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) attempts to pass the ball. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Upset alert!
That’s the notification that lit up every iPhone in America on Saturday evening as Northern Illinois pulled off a miracle victory against No. 5 ranked Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish entered the game as -28.5 favorites and were completely embarrassed by a school from the Mid-American Conference.
NIU won an ugly game 16-14, as the Huskies were able to maintain new quarterback Riley Leonard and pull off the biggest upset in college football this year.
Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) runs for a touchdown against South Florida Bulls defensive lineman Rico Watson III (34) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images Things looked shaky in Tuscaloosa, as the South Florida Bulls were giving Alabama all they could handle at halftime. But you would never know how close things were at one point when looking at the final score, as the Crimson Tide won 42-16.
You know what they say. It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish.
Alabama had absolutely no issue finishing the job on Saturday night against USF, and the pairing of Kalen DeBoer and Jalen Milroe continues to move the needle.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Survive Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Aug 31, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass warming up before the game against the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the best player on the field in this game, and the Oregon Ducks had no answer for him on the ground.
Jeanty carried the ball 25 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He was the engine behind Boise State’s offense.
But it was Dillon Gabriel who emerged victorious in this game, as the Ducks won 37-34. Gabriel was efficient passing the ball, completing 18-of-21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another score.
The No. 7-ranked Ducks fit the part and were able to get past Heisman candidate Jeanty on a day he dominated the game. Meanwhile, Gabriel’s own Heisman campaign continues to grow.
