Week 1 was all about Alabama–Florida State, Michigan–Florida and other playoff-impacting games. And while most of the big-time matchups delivered, college football's opening weekend was heavily defined by chaos and excitement elsewhere.
Week 2 is all about Oklahoma–Ohio State, Auburn–Clemson and USC–Stanford. Again, those three games and other headline-grabbing affairs deserve your full attention, but don't put blinders on during a weekend laced with intriguing matchups.
Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen Highlight Week 1
Here are five under-the-radar games in Week 2 that deserve your attention.
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Miami (FL) at Arkansas State
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 9 – 3:30 p.m.
Channel: ESPNU
Arkansas State terrified Nebraska in Week 1. The Red Wolves — who racked up 497 total yards, including 415 passing — trailed the Huskers by one point at halftime and nearly engineered a last-minute comeback.
"I think we ran into a buzz saw tonight, a team that really played well against us," Nebraska head coach Mike Riley said. "The first thing we have to shore up is big plays."
Arkansas State returns home in Week 2 to host Miami, who struggled early against Bethune-Cookman before pulling away.
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Memphis at UCF
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 9 – 8:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPNews
Memphis did not look good in their 37-29 win over Louisiana-Monroe. And that's putting it kindly.
The Tigers had 97 passing yards — they averaged 304 per game last year. Riley Ferguson was just 10-for-25 (3.9 yards per attempt) and never found a groove. He'll need to find a groove early in Week 2 against UCF, who racked up 587 yards and 61 points against Florida International.
Both teams have AAC title aspirations. The loser will be in a tough spot.
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South Carolina at Missouri
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 9 – 7:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN2
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock had seven touchdown passes on just 21 completions in their track meet win over Missouri State. Their Week 2 opponent, South Carolina, should give the Tigers a stiffer defensive test. They allowed 415 passing yards to North Carolina State's Ryan Finley last week but that came on 64 attempts.
This is the SEC opener for both teams and one that could either crush South Carolina's division title hopes alive or keep them in great shape.
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Iowa at Iowa State
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 9 – 12:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN2
After winning three of four games in the in-state series between 2011-14, Iowa State has dropped the last two against Iowa by a combined margin of 53 points.
The Cyclones were by clobbered in last year's Week 2 meeting, which sent them to 0-2 after an opening week loss to Northern Iowa. This year, they beat the Panthers in Week 1 and are seeking the biggest win of the Matt Campbell era.
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North Texas at SMU
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 9 – 7:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN3
We learned very little about North Texas and SMU in Week 1. Both teams smashed inferior FCS foes in games that were over shortly after opening kickoff.
The Mean Green are led by 39-year-old second-year head coach Seth Littrell, who turned heads with an impressive five-win debut season. He has the offensive firepower in Mason Fine, Jeffery Wilson and Co. to score against the Mustangs, whose Courtland Sutton-led attack scored 58 points last week.
We should learn a lot about two programs on the rise.
