CFB Week 2 winners, losers: Texas, Tennessee make statements

We’re seeing orange this weekend. 

With big Week 2 wins on Saturday, Texas and Tennessee showed they must be taken seriously in the national-title conversation.

On the other end of the spectrum, Notre Dame revealed itself to be fool’s gold with the season’s biggest upset loss so far.

Here are college football’s Week 2 winners and losers.

Winner: Texas | The Longhorns turned Saturday’s top-25 showdown with Associated Press No. 10 Michigan (1-1) into a rout, winning 31-12.

Texas (2-0) controlled both lines of scrimmage and quarterback Quinn Ewers was stellar as the Longhorns dominated from start to finish.

Texas out-gained Michigan 143-80 on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per rush attempt to Michgan’s 3.5 yards per carry. Ewers was 24-of-36 for 246 yards and three touchdowns.

Per ESPN senior writer Jake Trotter, Ewers is the only active FBS quarterback “since the start of last season to throw three touchdowns without an interception against multiple AP top-10 opponents.” The junior accomplished the feat in 2023 against Alabama, also on the road. 

Texas barely missed out on a chance to play for a national title last season, falling to Washington, 37-31, in a thrilling semifinal. The way the Longhorns played on Saturday, they might not be second to anyone when this season ends.

Loser: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman | No. 5 Notre Dame (1-1) was the victim of the weekend’s biggest upset, falling at home to Northern Illinois (2-0), 16-14. The loss marks another humiliating defeat for Freeman, who took over as Fighting Irish head coach in 2022.

During his first year as head coach, Notre Dame lost as a heavy home favorite to Marshall and Stanford. Another ugly upset loss shows those weren’t accidents. It’s what Freeman does.

Winner: Tennessee | Texas’ competition for “the real UT” had its own statement victory against No. 24 NC State (1-1). Tennessee won 51-10, and quarterback Nico Iamaleava finished with 276 total yards and three touchdowns in the easy win.

He didn’t have to do much because of the Vols outstanding defense, which was the evening’s biggest revelation. 

No. 14 Tennessee (2-0) held NC State to 143 total yards (104 passing, 39 rushing), allowed three third-down conversions and forced three turnovers.

Two years ago, when the Volunteers surged back into the national consciousness, they were held back from being a true contender by their defense. In 2024, that unit is leading the charge.

Loser: Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne | The Tigers lost at home to California, 21-14, thanks in part due to Thorne’s turnover-filled day. The Michigan State transfer, in his second season at Auburn (1-1), finished the game 14-of-27 for 165 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions — including picks on each of Auburn’s final two drives — to erase any chance for a comeback. 

Winner: Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy | We’re quick to crush kickers any time they miss, so let’s give the Cyclones freshman kicker flowers for his high-pressure make against No. 21 Iowa (1-1).

He converted a 54-yarder with five seconds remaining to give Iowa State (2-0) its first lead of the game in a 20-19 win over their in-state rival.