College football scores, rankings, highlights: Alabama, Oklahoma survive upset scares from heavy underdogs

A couple of ranked SEC teams were in unexpected struggles against underdogs in Week 2

Week 2 of the 2024 college football season has been packed with both monumental upsets and some near-defeats that are sure to send shockwaves throughout the nation over the next couple weeks. No results were more shocking than No. 5 Notre Dame's 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, which derailed what looked like a promising season for the Irish. 

But a couple of prominent SEC schools in No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 4 Alabama struggled against heavy underdogs. The Sooners needed a late safety to feel good about their chances in a 16-12 win against Houston, while the Crimson Tide limped through three quarters against South Florida before a 28-point fourth quarter put the bow on a 42-16 win. 

Notre Dame wasn't the only top-25 team to fall against an unranked opponent. No. 21 Iowa fell at home against Iowa State for the second time in three years after taking a 13-0 lead at halftime. Both No. 10 Michigan and No. 24 NC State also lost, though their setbacks came against higher-ranked opponents in No. 3 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee, respectively. 

It was an eventful day, to say the least.  

College football scores, schedule: Week 2

No. 3 Texas 31, No. 10 Michigan 12 -- Takeaways
No. 8 Penn State 34, Bowling Green 27 -- Recap
No. 16 Oklahoma State  39, Arkansas 31 -- Recap
No. 1 Georgia 48, Tennessee Tech 3 Recap
Northern Illinois 16, No. 5 Notre Dame 14 -- Recap
Iowa State 20, No. 21 Iowa 19 -- Takeaways
No. 6 Ole Miss 52, Middle Tennessee 3  -- Recap
No. 11 Utah 23, Baylor 12 -- Fox -- Recap
No. 12 Miami 59, Florida A&M 6 -- Recap
No. 4 Alabama 42, South Florida 16 -- Recap
Nebraska 28, Colorado 10 -- Takeaways  
No. 2 Ohio State 56, Western Michigan 0 -- Recap
No. 14 Tennessee 51, No. 24 NC State  10 -- Recap
No. 18 LSU 44, Nicholls 21 -- Recap
No. 15 Oklahoma 16, Houston 12 -- Recap
No. 25 Clemson 66, Appalachian State 20 -- Recap
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon -- Peacock -- GameTracker
Utah State at No. 13 USC -- Big Ten Network -- GameTracker
Check out the entire Week 2 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• Colorado's trench struggles continue: Buffs pushed around in loss to Nebraska 
• Shilo Sanders injury: Colorado DB leaves game with possible broken forearm 
• Thorne in Auburn's side: Timid QB play continues to haunt Tigers 
• History made: Jaxon Dart sets SEC record for consecutive completions 
• WATCH: Marshall WR Christian Fitzpatrick snags absurd one-handed catch
• No. 5 Notre Dame goes down: Northern Illinois makes history by shocking Irish
• Big 12 contenders avoid big trouble: Oklahoma State, Kansas State survive upset bids    
• Ewers brilliant vs. Wolverines: QB proves Texas is a bona fide contender  
• Burning questions after Texas routs Michigan: Where the Longhorns and Wolverines are headed
• Revisiting Raiola's journey: How the freshman phenom ended up at Nebraska

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:38 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Oregon on upset alert

HALF: Boise State 20, No. 7 Oregon 14

We have reached halftime from Eugene and for the second consecutive weekend, the home team has looked sluggish. Oregon struggled in its season-opener against FCS Idaho but pulled away in the second half to preserve the win. The opponent they're facing this week is a different beast. The Broncos are one of the top contenders to earn the Group of Five bid in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Boise State star RB and Heisman Trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel was 9 of 10 for 133 yards and a touchdown. Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:09 pm ET · David Cobb]

Oklahoma survives

No. 15 Oklahoma 16, Houston 12

It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was concerning how ugly it was. But Oklahoma improved to 2-0 by pulling out a win over visiting Houston. The Sooners did not score an offensive point in the second half, but their defense created a safety with 1:42 remaining to stymie a potential go-ahead drive for Houston before it could begin. OU has some serious questions to answer offensively as it heads into a brutal schedule during its first season in the SEC. It failed to generate anything consistent in the traditional run game, and quarterback Jackson Arnold had stretches of four straight and then five straight incompletions.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:40 pm ET · Will Backus]

Freshman wide receiver saves Alabama 

Late 4Q: No. 4 Alabama 28, South Florida 16 

Alabama true freshman Ryan Williams is already looking like one of the best wide receivers in college football. The young star may have just saved the Crimson Tide against Southern Florida with a spectacular 43-yard touchdown catch against the Bulls. Williams caught a short hitch from quarterback Jalen Milroe, danced around one defender and then raced down the sidelines to secure the score and give the Crimson Tide their largest lead of the game. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:32 pm ET · David Cobb]

USF settles for a FG

4Q: Alabama 21, South Florida 16

Faced with a fourth-and-4 at Alabama's 4-yard line, South Florida coach Alex Golesh opted to play it safe and take the points with a 22-yard field goal. A touchdown + 2-point conversion would have tied the game. But Golesh chose to trust his defense, which has been phenomenal against an Alabama team that can't get out of its own way on offense.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:24 pm ET · Will Backus]

Tennessee in cruise control against NC State 

Late 3Q: No. 14 Tennessee 37, No. 24 NC State 3 

Tennessee is certainly leaving quite an impression in Charlotte. The Vols just blew a key non-conference game against NC State wide open late in the third quarter behind the legs of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former five-star took a third-and-7 quarterback draw 31 yards, untouched, for a touchdown. 

But it's Tennessee's defense that has left the biggest impression. Tennessee has now gone almost 11 quarters without allowing a touchdown. That includes two games against ranked opponents. NC State has 134 net total yards through three quarters of play and the Vols have forced three turnovers, including an 85-yard pick six from safety Will Brooks. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:11 pm ET · David Cobb]

Oklahoma struggling vs. Houston

Late 3Q: Oklahoma 14, Houston 12

Houston, which was totally lifeless in a 27-7 home loss to UNLV last week, is pushing Oklahoma in Norman. The Sooners haven't been able to find an offense rhythm since early in the second quarter and have allowed the Cougars to score 10 unanswered. OU is particularly struggling in the run game as the offensive line is clearly still working out some kinks.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:58 pm ET · Will Backus]

Illinois taking Kansas to the wire 

Mid 4Q: Illinois 20, No. 19 Kansas 17

In fact, the Illini have been taking it to the Jayhawks for over 50 minutes at this point. The Illinois defense has been especially impressive in limiting Kansas' creative offense. Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels is a having a nightmare game so far with three interceptions, one of which Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott returned for a touchdown near the end of the second half. 

Meanwhile, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer hasn't been spectacular, but he limited mistakes and done a good job of leading Illinois on three scoring drives. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

South Florida not going away

3Q: Alabama 14, South Florida 13

South Florida is within a point against Alabama in the second half after a short touchdown drive set up by an Alabama fumble. The Crimson Tide have struggled to run the football and continue to be plagued by penalties and general sloppiness as USF has a 2-0 edge in the turnover battle. The Bulls are trying to make it two stunning Group of Five upsets over top-10 teams in a day after Notre Dame's loss to Northern Illinois.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:34 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Shilo Sanders exits

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders left the Buffaloes' Week 2 game against Nebraska with a possible broken forearm, according to his coach and father Deion Sanders. Sanders will not return and could be out for an extended period of time. 

Sanders went to the locker room early in the first half after recording two tackles in the first quarter. The Buffaloes were already down 14-0 when he left the field. It's unclear on what play Sanders hurt himself, but his loss leaves a hole in the secondary. 

Shilo Sanders injury: Colorado DB leaves game vs. Nebraska with possible broken forearm

Shehan Jeyarajah

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:22 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Cam Ward shines for Miami

Miami star quarterback Cam Ward kicked off his potential Heisman campaign with a strong performance on the road in Week 1 against Florida and continued his strong start to the 2024 season with 304 yards passing and three touchdowns in a 56-9 win over Florida A&M. Ward finished 20 of 26 through the air and rushed four times for 13 yards and a touchdown. Miami moves to 2-0 and will face Ball State next weekend at home.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:22 pm ET · Will Backus]

DJ Lagway impressing in first career start 

Late 3Q: Florida 28, Samford 7 

It isn't against the best competition, but Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is putting on a show in his first career start. The former five-star prospect set a program record for freshman with 324 yards passing through two and a half quarters of play. He's also hit on two touchdowns for the Gators, including a beautiful 41-yard strike to redshirt freshman Aidan Mizell. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:14 pm ET · David Cobb]

High-profile beatdowns

Ohio State/Clemson cruising

On a day that saw Northern Illinois upset No. 5 Notre Dame, Ohio State and Clemson are showing they have no interest in being the next ranked powers to fall against a Group of Five opponent. Clemson jumped out to a 42-0 lead on Appalachian State in the second quarter, while Ohio State piled up 406 yards in the FIRST HALF while taking a 35-0 lead against Western Michigan.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:04 pm ET · David Cobb]

Pick-six for Tennessee walk-on

2Q: Tennessee 17, NC State 3

NC State had Tennessee on its heels and was driving for a potential game-tying score, when Grayson McCall made a critical error. He was trying to dump the ball off into the flat, but the pass rush made him loft it high. Tennessee walk-on safety Will Brooks was there to pick it off and run it back 85 yards for a touchdown. That could be viewed as a 14-point swing.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Bama in a battle

Half: No. 4 Alabama 14, South Florida 6

A year after getting taken down to the wire by South Florida under Nick Saban, Alabama is getting another test from the Bulls in coach Kalen DeBoer's second game. Alabama put together a couple of nice touchdown drives but also had a trio of three-and-outs and four punts in total as it was plagued by offensive line penalties. The teams have been whistled a combined 14 times.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:48 pm ET · Will Backus]

LSU struggling against Nicholls 

Late 2Q: No. 18 LSU 16, Nicholls 14 

Week 2 has had some wild scores and results so far, but few look as weird as what's happening in Baton Rouge right now. LSU is struggling against FCS Nicholls late into the second quarter. Nicholls just got tricky to score its second touchdown of the game. The Colonels pitched a quick swing pass to wide receiver Quincy Brown. But instead of taking off, Brown kept his eyes downfield and hit Lee Negrotto for an 18-yard touchdown. 

Not exactly the bounce back the Tigers were looking for after their Week 1 loss against USC. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:36 pm ET · David Cobb]

Clemson starts hot

1Q: Clemson 21, Appalachian State 0

Clemson is absolutely on fire in the first quarter against a dangerous Sun Belt foe. Cade Klubnik hit Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 76-yard touchdown on the Tigers' third play. Then, on the next possession, came a 51-yard strike to Wesco to set up a Klubnik touchdown run. On Clemson's third series, Phil Mafah housed an 83-yard run to make it 21-0 at the 7:08 mark. Clemson's 251 yards in the first eight minutes were 63 more than it had for the entire game against Georgia last week.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:32 pm ET · Will Backus]

Illinois takes lead on interception 

Half: Illinois 13, No. 19 Kanas 10 

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott is putting the team on his back. After logging an interception in the first quarter that ended Kansas' game-opening drive and led to an eventual 23-yard field goal for the Illini, Scott just jumped in front of a Jayhawks screen attempt and picked off another Jalon Daniels pass -- except this time, he did the scoring himself. 

Scott's excellent play on the ball gave him the momentum he needed to sprint for 30 yards and cross into the end zone to give Illinois a lead entering halftime. Illinois' defense has done well containing an explosive Kansas offense. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:24 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee up early

End 1: No. 14 Tennessee 7, No. 24 NC State 0

Tennessee marched 62 yards on nine plays and scored the game's first touchdown on a 9-yard run from Dylan Sampson. The big play was a third-and-14 conversion on a shovel pass to Sampson. NC State had a nice drive going to open the game but was forced to punt after reaching Tennessee territory. The Wolfpack went three-and-out on their second series as a unit led by Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall still seeks its footing.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:10 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Ohio State star freshman scores

Ohio State star freshman Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 ranked player in the 2024 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, scored his third career touchdown on a long catch-and-run. Smith scored twice in a win over Akron last week and already has two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against Western Michigan.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:07 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska dominating early 

Late 1Q: Nebraska 14, Colorado 0 

Well that's not what you want if you're Colorado. Facing first-and-10 with their backs to their own goal line, the Buffaloes tried to hit on a quick out route to get some breathing room. But quarterback Shedeur Sanders' pass had a little bit too much air around it that allowed Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill to jump in front of it. Once he secured the interception, he didn't have to work too hard return it seven yards for the touchdown. 

It was a disastrous play for a Colorado team that has struggled to get anything going offensively, especially with its lackluster play on the line of scrimmage thus far. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:04 pm ET · David Cobb]

Ole Miss is ROLLING

Some of the stats from No. 6 Ole Miss' 2-0 start are incredible. The Rebels crushed Middle Tennessee 52-3 today as quarterback Jaxson Dart set an SEC record for consecutive completions. Dart is now 47 of 54 for 795 yards with six passing touchdowns and no interceptions on the year. Though the competition has been underwhelming, it's nonetheless a head-turning start for coach Lane Kiffin's attack.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart sets SEC record for consecutive completions as Rebels rout Middle Tennessee

David Cobb

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:02 pm ET · David Cobb]

Alabama in an early battle

Early 2Q: Alabama 7, South Florida 3

South Florida drove 60 yards on 13 plays for a field goal to open the game, and Alabama went three-and-out on its first series. The Crimson Tide recovered from there with a nice touchdown drive and some better defense. But they are obviously being tested a bit more tonight than they were in Week 1 against Western Kentucky. USF runs the same offensive system at Tennessee, which makes this an important prep game for the Crimson Tide defense.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:54 pm ET · Will Backus]

Marshall WR corrals absurd catch 

There have been a lot of really good catches early in the 2024 college football season, but Marshall wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick just snagged one of the best. Working in one-on-one coverage against a Virginia Tech defensive back, Fitzpatrick leapt into the air while he was being grabbed and snatched quarterback Stone Earle's pass out of the sky with one hand. He brought the ball down to his body with the same hand and simultaneously shoved the Hokies defender away to collect a few extra yards. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:48 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nebraska imposing its will thus far 

Early 1Q: Nebraska 7, Colorado 0 

It's clear to see that Nebraska is winning at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. After ending Colorado's opening drive with a 9-yard sack of Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Huskers' offensive line imposed its will to allow Nebraska to move the ball on the ground. Nebraska rushed four times for a gain of 39 yards, including a 12-yard scamper from Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell that scored the game's first touchdown. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

Surprising SEC score

Final: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6

South Carolina's defense was so dominant against Kentucky that the Wildcats turned to backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt in the fourth quarter to try and find a spark. Starter Brock Vandagriff finished 3 of 10 for 30 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Things went no better for Wimsatt as the Gamecocks absolutely dominated with their defense. Carolina only mustered 252 yards and 12 first downs itself. But UK mustered just 183 yards and never reached the end zone. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

Tennessee making North Carolina a priority ahead of NC State clash 

When Tennessee takes the field for Saturday's game against NC State at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, it might just feel like a second home for the Vols — and not just because their fans travel well. Tennessee's coaching staff has already planted its flag in the Queen City and surrounding metropolitan area, which has become an epicenter for the Vols' recruiting Renaissance under Josh Heupel.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:10 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iowa State roars back to beat Iowa

Iowa State earned a huge early season win Saturday afternoon by downing No. 21 Iowa 20-19 in the Hawkeyes' home stadium. Cyclones kicker Kyle Konrardy will go down in Cy-Hawk legend with his 54-yard field goal that gave his team the win with five seconds left to play. This is the second time in three years that Iowa State has beaten Iowa in Iowa City. Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht, who had an up-and-down game overall, made some crucial throws down the stretch to put his team in a position to kick the game-winning field goal. His 30-yard connection with wide receiver Jaylin Noel, who sped down the sideline to get the ball to Iowa's 38-yard line, was the biggest throw of the game. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:09 pm ET · David Cobb]

Michigan State wins in dramatic fashion

Final: Michigan State 27, Maryland 24

Michigan State took down Maryland on a 37-yard field goal from Jonathan Kim with one second left. The Spartans trailed 24-17 early in the fourth quarter but made a late surge as Aidan Chiles found Nick Marsh for a 77-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining. Chiles went 24 of 39 for 363 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. It was a roller-coaster ride but he came up big in the end as the Spartans improve to 2-0 under first-year coach Jonathan Smith.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:02 pm ET · David Cobb]

Cal takes down Auburn

Final: Cal 21, Auburn 14

Cal's defense went nine straight possessions without allowing a touchdown as the Bears gritted their way to a 21-14 win at Auburn. The Tigers went 75 yards for a game-opening touchdown but didn't score again until 6:06 remained as the Bears forced four interceptions from Payton Thorne and five total turnovers. Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza was excellent early and threw a pair of touchdowns. This is a big result for the ACC, which has otherwise been unimpressive as a league.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm ET · Will Backus]

Prime Time watch against Nebraska 

Despite a 4-8 debut season in 2023, the "Prime Effect" is still rolling in Colorado. The bombastic personalities of Coach Prime, his superstar son Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter have brought out the best and worst among fans and critics on social media. 

Colorado's 31-26 win over North Dakota State last week drew 4.8 million viewers on average -- the best Thursday opener for ESPN since 2017 -- while facing stiff competition from CNN's exclusive interview with presidential nominee Kamala Harris at the same time (6.3 million).

Now the Buffaloes take center stage once again against a Nebraska team that's taken great strides since Colorado's win in 2023. 

'Prime Effect' is real at Colorado ahead of showdown against Nebraska, but Buffs need wins to make it last

Brandon Marcello