In the early games of the second week of college football, several key takeaways emerged despite the absence of ranked matchups:
-
Illinois Triumphs Over Duke: No. 11 Illinois secured a 45-19 victory against Duke. Although Duke initially showed promise, costly errors allowed Illinois to gain control. Quarterback Luke Altomy excelled, supported by Hank Beatty. The Illinois defense struggled at times but effectively forced field goals and turnovers when necessary.
-
Arch Manning Shines for Texas: No. 7 Texas began slowly against San Jose State, but quarterback Arch Manning found his groove, throwing for 295 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. While he needs consistency, his talent was evident as Texas aims for playoff contention.
-
Penn State’s Offense Underwhelms: No. 8 Penn State won convincingly against FIU (34-0), yet the performance was met with boos from fans. Quarterback Drew Allar struggled with consistency, and the running game helped secure the win. Penn State will face Villanova next before a critical matchup against Oregon.
-
Iowa’s Offense Struggles: Iowa’s offense continues to disappoint, as they limped to a 214-yard performance against rival Iowa State. Despite a solid defense, the offense failed to deliver, maintaining a long-standing pattern of struggles.
- Dominant Victories for Ranked Teams: Several ranked teams delivered lopsided wins against FCS opponents. Minnesota crushed Northwestern State 66-0, Florida triumphed 77-3 against Texas A&M, and No. 24 Texas Tech defeated Kent 62-14, showcasing the disparity in competition.
Overall, the weekend highlighted both promising performances and continuing issues for several teams.
