Top 10 Week 2 College Football Highlights
Week 2 of the 2023 college football season was nothing short of electrifying, featuring upsets, standout performances, and games that will be talked about for weeks to come.
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Marquee Matchup: Texas vs. Alabama
The week was headlined by a stunning upset where No. 10 Texas defeated No. 3 Alabama 34-24. This was Alabama’s first loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2019, and it has certainly shaken up the rankings. Texas showcased a balanced attack, and their defense managed to contain Alabama’s potent offense, making a strong statement for their playoff aspirations.
USC Dominates Stanford
On the West Coast, USC made a resounding statement by crushing Stanford 56-10. USC’s star quarterback, Caleb Williams, continued his Heisman-worthy performance, throwing 12 touchdowns with zero interceptions so far this season. The Trojans’ defense also stepped up, making it a miserable day for Stanford’s offense.
Defensive Battle: Auburn vs. California
In one of the more defensively oriented games, Auburn managed to edge out California in a 14-10 victory. Despite multiple turnovers, Auburn’s defense was the star of the show, holding California to just three points on four drives that started in Auburn territory. This game may not have been a high-scoring affair, but it was a nail-biter until the end.
Florida State Cruises
No. 4 Florida State had an easy outing against Southern Miss, cruising to a 52-10 victory. Quarterback Jordan Travis threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, making it look easy. The Seminoles’ defense was equally impressive, shutting down Southern Miss and making a case for their high ranking.
UCLA Continues to Impress
UCLA continued their strong start to the season with a 35-10 win over San Diego State. Quarterback Dante Moore threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns, and the Bruins’ defense pitched a second-half shutout. UCLA is now 2-0 and looks like a team to watch in the Pac-12.
Washington State’s Statement Win
In a surprising turn of events, Washington State pulled off an upset by defeating No. 19 Wisconsin 31-22. This win could be a season-defining moment for Washington State, putting them on the map and shaking up the Power-Five dynamics.
Ohio State and Iowa Hold Serve
No. 5 Ohio State took care of business against Youngstown State, winning by double digits. Meanwhile, Iowa reclaimed the Cy-Hawk Trophy by defeating in-state rival Iowa State. Both teams held their ground, making no mistakes that could jeopardize their high rankings.
Oregon Survives Texas Tech
No. 13 Oregon had a close call against Texas Tech but managed to pull away with a 38-30 victory. The game was a back-and-forth affair and served as a reality check for Oregon, who will need to tighten up their play as the season progresses.
Colorado Defeats Nebraska
No. 22 Colorado opened their home schedule with a win against longtime rival Nebraska. The victory adds another layer to this storied rivalry and gives Colorado momentum moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Week 2 had it all—upsets, standout individual performances, and games that lived up to the hype. As teams start to settle into the season, the stakes will only get higher, making every game a must-watch event.
- USC vs. Stanford: USC dominated Stanford with a final score of 56-10. USC’s star quarterback Caleb Williams threw 12 touchdowns and no interceptions so far this season. Stanford’s starting quarterback Ashton Daniels was replaced by Justin Lamson, who scored Stanford’s only touchdown. Source
- Auburn vs. California: Auburn defeated California 14-10 in a game marked by turnovers. Auburn’s defense was the star, holding Cal to just three points on four drives that started in Auburn territory. Source
- Florida State vs. Southern Miss: Florida State cruised to a 52-10 victory over Southern Miss, with quarterback Jordan Travis throwing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Source
- UCLA vs. San Diego State: UCLA won 35-10, with quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Source
- Washington State vs. Wisconsin: Washington State upset No. 19 Wisconsin with a 31-22 victory. Source
- Texas vs. Alabama: In a stunning upset, No. 10 Texas defeated No. 3 Alabama 34-24. Source
- Ohio State vs. Youngstown State: No. 5 Ohio State defeated Youngstown State by double digits. Source
- Iowa vs. Iowa State: Iowa reclaimed the Cy-Hawk Trophy by defeating in-state rival Iowa State. Source
- Oregon vs. Texas Tech: No. 13 Oregon narrowly defeated Texas Tech 38-30. Source
- Colorado vs. Nebraska: No. 22 Colorado defeated longtime rival Nebraska in their home opener. Source
