Headlining the second week of the NCAAF season, then-No. 11 Texas took down No. 3 Alabama in their own house to solidify that maybe in 2023, they are back. Then, in primetime, WSU strongly upset then-No.19 Wisconsin.
While they were not the only school to rush the field (looking at you, Colorado) they had the most reason to and are looking strong to start the new season. The Pac-12 continues their relatively strong showing, with most of the teams with Power Five out of conference winning.
Currently, the Pac-12 has eight teams in the AP Top 25, the most they have ever had ranked in a single week. As a Conference, they are also 18-3 out of conference, with all three losses being feasible wins in week two.
Fans rush the field and celebrate with “Back Home” and the Cougar Fight Song after win against Wisconsin, Sept. 9.
The Conference also has eight out of their 12 teams ranked in the week two AP Poll, a surprisingly high percentage.
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 11 Texas
Last week, it was Florida State and LSU. This week, it was Alabama vs. Texas. Every season, the Longhorns fans claim that they “are back,” but the hype usually ends within the first several weeks of the season.
Through the first half, the Longhorns led 13-6, but the Crimson Tide had a lead of 16-13 through the end of the third quarter. Instead of capitalizing on home-field advantage and their slight momentum, Texas scored 21 in the final 15 minutes to shock the country.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers went 24-for-38 for 349 yards and three TDs, making his case to be a Heisman contender for the 2023 season. If the Longhorns stay undefeated throughout, bringing Texas “back” would help his case immensely.
No. 12 Utah vs. Baylor
Despite being on upset watch and without their star QB Cameron Rising, the Utes fought a hard-fought win against Baylor. Scoring just three points in the first half, a 14-point fourth quarter clutched the win for Utah.
Cole Bishop and Zemaiah Vaughn came up with an interception each and the defense as a whole held the Bears at bay. When Rising comes back, the elite Utah defense will have a little weight taken off their shoulders with his play, as long as he can return healthy.
No. 2 Michigan vs. UNLV
Looking to redeem their disappointing end to the 2022 season, Michigan has started the new season strong with a 35-7 win over UNLV. The major storyline surrounding the game was with the late UNLV player Ryan Keeler, who died in February. Wolverines QB J.J. McCarthy and Keeler grew up together and played together since their early youths. With No. 47, Keeler’s number, written on his left hand, McCarthy through a 47-yard touchdown and pointed to the art in his friend’s remembrance.
McCarthy finished the game 22-for-25 for 278 yards and two TDs, making his own case for the Heisman early in the year as one of the most efficient players in the country.
No. 19 Wisconsin vs. WSU
Arguably the best game of the night was WSU’s very own. One year removed from beating the Badgers in their own house, the Cougs did not let revenge happen. Leading 24-9 at half, the Cougs overcame an awful third quarter to pull off the 31-22 upset win.
Ron Stone Jr. forced two fumbles during the game, both of which were recovered by Brennan Jackson. Jackson brought one of those recoveries into the endzone for a scoop and score.
Brennan Jackson scoops up a loose football right near the end zone to score for WSU, Sept. 9.
After failing to break the AP Top 25 after last year’s win, the Cougs ranked as the No. 23 team in the nation after successfully defending their home field. Cam Ward lit up the Badgers defense for 212 yards through the air and 43 on the ground, but the defense was the true show-stopper.
The defense kept a strong Wisconsin running attack to under 100 total yards, not a small task. Then, on passes, the edge rushers constantly got in the backfield, forcing Wisconsin QB Tanner Mordecai to rush his progressions.
