College Football Week 2 Highlights and Unlikely Namesakes Analysis
College football fans, get ready for an exhilarating ride through Week 2. The latest edition of Until Saturday, The Athletic’s college football newsletter, is brimming with fascinating stories, historical rivalries, and some unexpected twists that make this sport so deeply woven into American culture.
From the rekindling of old rivalries to the emergence of new quarterback stars, there’s a lot to look forward to this weekend. Honestly, it’s hard not to get swept up in the chaos.
Week 2: A Slate Full of Hidden Gems
Table of Contents
Week 2 might not have the marquee matchups of Week 1, but it’s packed with local disputes and potential new rivalries. These games don’t always look thrilling on paper, yet they often deliver the most drama.
For example, Arkansas has never played Arkansas State. That was a deliberate choice, but times are changing. Baylor vs. SMU is another one to watch; it’s a rivalry dating back to 1916, though they haven’t faced off since 1995.
Unexpected Matchups
Last week, nobody expected USF at the Swamp to be a highlight, but the Bulls’ blowout of reigning Mountain West champ Boise State made people pay attention. The Heels visiting Charlotte should be a fun in-state showdown.
And then there’s the Iowa-Iowa State game, affectionately called ¡El Assico! It’s a Week 2 classic, even if the score doesn’t always impress.
Rivalries Rooted in History
Kansas vs. Missouri is one of the most anticipated games this week. This rivalry was born out of actual war and nearly disappeared thanks to conference realignment.
They’re meeting for the first time since 2012. In the 1850s, Kansas and Missouri literally fought over statehood and slavery, which led to the Jayhawkers and the Tigers. The schools met on the football field just 28 years after the infamous Lawrence raid. Wild, right?
Spotlight Game: Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Tomorrow’s spotlight game between Michigan and Oklahoma has everything a college football fan could want. These programs are both in the FBS top five all-time, yet they’ve only met once before—in the 1975 Orange Bowl.
This matchup features Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit of this cycle, and Oklahoma’s John Mateer, the highest-rated transfer QB of the offseason. Oklahoma is favored by 5.5 points, but honestly, the battle in the trenches could steal the show.
Noteworthy Performances and Stories
Week 1 delivered some wild performances and storylines. Alabama State nearly took down Trent Dilfer’s UAB, and Furman’s Devin Hester Jr. broke loose for a 75-yard return.
Here’s the kicker: this Devin Hester Jr. isn’t related to the legendary return specialist Devin Hester, who starred for Miami and the Bears. Just a weird coincidence.
Statistical Oddities
The newsletter dives into the bizarre odds of namesakes in college football. The chance of being named Edward Robinson is much higher than Devin Hester.
But having two unrelated DI kick returners named Devin Hester? That’s almost impossible. It’s also wild that an unrelated Eddie Robinson Jr. is one of only 21 people to hold an HBCU head coaching job in DI.
Emerging Quarterback Stars
This season has already seen several young quarterbacks step into the spotlight. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, and Cal’s true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele are all off to strong starts.
CJ Carr’s wild scramble and touchdown pass against Miami showed off his potential. Underwood’s performance against New Mexico set up a great storyline for the Oklahoma game. Sagapolutele, who beat out Ohio State transfer Devin Brown, looked sharp in Cal’s 34-15 rout of Oregon State.
Coaching Hot Seats and Changes
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is suddenly facing questions about his job security. Meanwhile, Mike Gundy is staring down a make-or-break season with a tough test against No. 6 Oregon.
There’s also plenty of turmoil at UNC. The situation there feels a bit like late-stage Patriots drama under Bill Belichick, who’s now reportedly restricting pro scouts from his program.
Other Notable News
The newsletter rounds up a bunch of other stories. There’s talk about moving to a single transfer portal window in January, the cancellation of the EA Sports college basketball game, and two football players among 10 college athletes suing the NCAA over four-year eligibility rules.
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There’s even a mention of the Barstool x Big 12 collaboration and the odd situation of UNC and Bowling Green sharing an old song. College football never runs out of quirks, does it?
Historical Tidbits and Reader Engagement
Here’s a fun bit of history: in 1983, college football had its last 0-0 tie, which folks still call the Toilet Bowl. That infamous matchup was between Oregon and Oregon State.
Got thoughts or reactions? Readers can jump in and share, making the whole thing feel a bit more like a conversation than just another newsletter.
For more analysis or if you want to keep up with everything college football, take a look at the full article on *The Athletic’s* Until Saturday newsletter.