Who: Multiple ranked programs and heated rivals; When: Week Two of the 2025 college football season, the Saturday following Sept. 5, 2025; Where: Highlights include Norman (Oklahoma) and Columbia (Missouri); What: A slate with fewer top-10 matchups that nevertheless carries upset potential and renewed rivalries; Result: A handful of surprising outcomes could reshape early-season perceptions and rankings.
Key Takeaways
- No. 15 Michigan will visit No. 18 Oklahoma in Norman in Saturday prime time on ABC, a matchup with major attention on Wolverines QB Bryce Underwood.
- Historic and renewed rivalries return, notably Kansas at Missouri — the Border War — with QB matchups that could produce an entertaining game.
- Games like Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, USF at Florida, and Mississippi State vs. Arizona State are on upset watch despite lopsided lines.
- Coaching pressure is a subplot: scrutiny on Kalen DeBoer and concern around programs such as Alabama and Ole Miss after early setbacks.
- Week Two carries precedent for shocks — Northern Illinois beat No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14 in 2024 and Illinois beat No. 19 Kansas 19-17 that same week.
Verified Facts
Michigan (ranked No. 15) travels to Norman to face Oklahoma (ranked No. 18) in a Saturday night game broadcast on ABC. The matchup will serve as a high-profile early test for Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood and is the headline game of Week Two.
Last season’s Week Two produced notable upsets that are still fresh in many fans’ minds: Northern Illinois defeated No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14, and Illinois defeated No. 19 Kansas 19-17. Those results are reminders that lower-profile weekends can still deliver major surprises.
Several other matchups draw attention for rivalry or upset potential. Kansas travels to Missouri in the renewed Border War (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2) featuring Missouri’s Beau Pribula and Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels. Iowa hosts Iowa State (12 p.m. ET on FOX) in an in-state rivalry in which Iowa State has not won in Ames since 2011.
Upset watch includes USF at Florida (4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network) after South Florida upset Boise State last week, Mississippi State at Arizona State (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2) with Sam Leavitt leading the Sun Devils, and Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech (7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network) where Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia will have a chance to produce a statement performance.
Context & Impact
Week Two rarely matches the stacked top-10 schedules of Week One, but it often creates volatility: ranked teams can be exposed, and overlooked opponents can earn national attention. Early losses can shift narrative momentum, affect recruiting perception, and raise pressure on coaches and boosters.
Coaching storylines are central. Programs that underperformed in Week One may face heightened scrutiny. Alabama’s loss to Florida State has amplified questions about production under Kalen DeBoer, while Ole Miss will look for a response after last season’s upset by Kentucky.
Beyond individual games, developments off the field — including NIL spending discussions and potential transfer-portal policy shifts being debated around college football — could further influence roster depth and expectations as the season progresses.
Games to Monitor
- Oregon vs. Oklahoma State — intensity between Dan Lanning and Mike Gundy, and NIL talk adds fuel; Cowboys are heavy underdogs.
- Kansas vs. Missouri — renewed rivalry with strong fan interest and a notable QB matchup.
- USF at Florida — South Florida carries momentum after upsetting Boise State and could make this closer than expected.
“We spend to win.”
Dan Lanning
Unconfirmed
- Exact NIL spending figures for Oregon and Oklahoma State rosters were referenced in coach banter but have not been publicly verified.
- Comparisons that suggest Bryce Underwood has drawn exactly the same national attention as Arch Manning are subjective and not empirically measured.
- Any immediate, formal transfer-portal rule changes that could reshape rosters this week remain under discussion and are not finalized.
Bottom Line
Week Two may lack multiple marquee top-10 matchups, but history and current matchups indicate it still has the capacity to produce upsets and storyline shifts. Fans should watch Michigan at Oklahoma for a marquee early test and keep an eye on rivalry games and several upset candidates that could reorder perceptions heading into conference play.