Week 2 of the 2025 college football season is in the books, and things are already getting wild. Upsets, blowouts, and a few jaw-dropping moments—there’s plenty to talk about.
The ACC and Big Ten both have a bunch of teams looking like legit playoff contenders. South Florida’s surprising run is making the American Conference more interesting than usual.
Oklahoma State just took its worst beating in over a hundred years. Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s gamble on the transfer portal is starting to look pretty smart. Let’s get into what stood out from Week 2.
The ACC and Big Ten: Deep Pools of Talent
The ACC and Big Ten are showing off some serious depth this year. The ACC, usually all about Miami and Clemson, has Florida State back in the mix.
The Big Ten isn’t just Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon anymore. Illinois and Indiana are making some noise, and USC might be ready to shake things up.
ACC’s Rising Stars
Florida State coming back strong adds another layer to an already tough ACC. Right now, it looks like both Miami and Florida State would land in the top four if rankings dropped today.
Big Ten’s Broader Contenders
The Big Ten has more than just its usual heavyweights. Illinois and Indiana are turning heads, and with the usual suspects still strong, this conference feels stacked.
South Florida’s Meteoric Rise
South Florida just pulled off back-to-back wins against ranked teams Boise State and Florida. That’s a big deal for them—and honestly, for the American Conference too.
Key Wins for South Florida
Coach Alex Golesh has led South Florida to seven wins in each of the last two years. But beating ranked teams in consecutive weeks? That’s a first for them.
Now, they’re staring down a huge matchup with No. 5 Miami. Not bad for a team most people didn’t even have on their radar.
American Conference’s Bright Spots
The American Conference has a few other bright spots this year. Army bounced back from a rough home loss to Tarleton State and took down Kansas State.
Tulane handled Northwestern and is gearing up for tough games against Duke and Ole Miss. It’s early, but the American is finally getting some attention.
Oklahoma State’s Historic Loss
Oklahoma State got demolished by Oregon, 69-3. It’s their most lopsided loss since 1907, and for coach Mike Gundy, it’s a nightmare scenario.
The Cowboys have now dropped ten straight games against FBS teams. That’s not a stat you want to see if you’re a fan—or Gundy himself.
What Went Wrong?
Oregon came out firing, scoring twice in their first three plays and piling up eight touchdowns by the third quarter. Oklahoma State’s offense was pretty much invisible, with just seven completions and six first downs before a meaningless late drive.
Gundy’s comments about Oregon’s budget earlier in the week didn’t help. If anything, it just gave the Ducks more motivation.
Future Prospects
After finishing last in the Big 12 last year and with friction between Gundy and the school’s regents, things look rough in Stillwater. The program used to be a steady winner, but now? It’s a long road back.
Mississippi State’s Rebuilding Success
Mississippi State is in the middle of a big rebuild under coach Jeff Lebby. Their 23-20 win over No. 12 Arizona State is a sign that their transfer-heavy approach might actually be working.
It’s the first time since 1991 that they’ve beaten a ranked nonconference opponent at home. That’s got to feel good for Bulldogs fans.
Impact of Transfer Portal
Sixteen of Mississippi State’s starters came through the transfer portal. Quarterback Blake Shapen (from Baylor) and receivers Brenen Thompson (Oklahoma) and Anthony Evans III (Georgia) have been huge.
The defense, loaded with former transfers, held Arizona State’s top quarterback to just 82 passing yards. That’s no small feat.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Mississippi State heads into SEC play with some real momentum. They’re deeper, they’ve got playmakers, and honestly, they might surprise a few more teams before this season’s done.
Florida’s Costly Defeat
Florida lost a heartbreaker to South Florida, 18-16, right there in The Swamp. They had the game in their hands late in the fourth quarter, but a series of mistakes sealed their fate.
Coach Billy Napier is now sitting at 20-20 at Florida. People are starting to wonder about his future there.
Critical Mistakes
After South Florida missed a long field goal, Florida could’ve just run out the clock. Instead, two passing plays led to a quick punt.
On defense, the Gators racked up two costly penalties. One was pass interference; the other was a spitting incident by Brendan Bett, who got tossed from the game. Those mistakes let South Florida get in position for the game-winning kick.
Tough Road Ahead
Florida’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. They still have eight ranked teams left, including LSU, Miami, Texas, and Georgia.
Athletic director Scott Stricklin extended Napier’s contract last year, so firing him would mean a $20.4 million buyout. That’s a tough call, no matter how you look at it.
FCS Spotlight: South Dakota State vs. Montana State
Down in the FCS, No. 2 South Dakota State pulled off a double-overtime win over No. 3 Montana State, 30-24. If you like drama, this one had it all.
Quarterback Chase Mason led the Jackrabbits, throwing for 190 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-25 passing. That’s back-to-back statement wins for South Dakota State, who also rolled over Sacramento State to open their season.
Looking Forward
South Dakota State and Montana State both look like serious threats for the FCS national title. This early-season clash gave fans an exciting preview of what might happen in the playoffs.
If you’re curious for more insights or want to hear what the experts think, check out ESPN’s Week 2 College Football Takeaways.
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