Tennessee proved its grit by overcoming a sluggish start to secure a 41-34 overtime win against Mississippi State. The Volunteers, ranked No. 15, ultimately showed their resilience and left fans with a thrilling finale.
Duke returned to form with a 45–33 victory over previously undefeated NC State. The article spotlights six pivotal plays that proved decisive and reestablished Duke’s winning momentum.
The second weekend of college football shone a spotlight on the AP Top 25’s biggest contenders. From Georgia to Notre Dame, each team faced pivotal tests that could shape the rest of the season’s rankings.
No. 11 Illinois holds a narrow 14–13 lead against Duke at halftime. Rusk’s first touchdown pass for the Illini made a key impact, while the Blue Devils applied steady pressure and Mensah responded before the break.
Tennessee’s offense showed no signs of slowing down in Week 1, leading ESPN to conclude that the Volunteers “didn’t look any worse off” without Nico Iamaleava. The change at quarterback appears to be propelling the team in a positive direction.
The Wisconsin Badgers hold a shining 27-game winning streak in non-conference home openers dating back to 1995. Experts predict that tradition will continue Thursday night when they face Miami (OH).
In Austin, the University of Texas depth chart has one notable blank line: the quarterback slot directly beneath Arch Manning. Coach Steve Sarkisian says the competition among Matthew Caldwell, KJ Lacey and Trey Owens remains unresolved— and he concedes that sorting a three-man race is “difficult.”
