Dan Mullen names top five college football teams of Week 2

ESPN analyst Dan Mullen didn’t have a difficult decision to make at the top of with his top five college football teams from Week 2 of the 2023 season.

But there were plenty of potential teams to fill out the top five. Multiple Power Five teams went on the road for non-conference games and emerged victories. A few non-Power Five underdogs went on the road to Power Five opponents and made statements. For the second-straight season, Appalachian State came this close to upsetting North Carolina.

Here are Mullen’s top five teams from the second week of the 2023 season, led by a Power Five blueblood and a fairly new face in FBS football.

1. Texas Longhorns

No surprise here at No. 1 as Mullen goes with Texas after its victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Quinn Ewers, also Mullen’s top quarterback of the week, reasserted himself on the biggest stage with a major performance.

The victory jumped the Longhorns into the top four of the polls and into a good early position for a College Football Playoff berth. It was also the team’s first victory over a top-five opponent on the road since 1969 — a season when Texas won the national title.

2. James Madison Dukes

James Madison has been a really good football program for years now. But because they played at the FCS level prior to last season, the Dukes have not been known nationally for their skills on the football field.

But James Madison made a statement by winning the Sun Belt East Division last season in its first FBS season last year. The Dukes made another one Saturday with its victory over Power Five program Virginia. They came down from 35-24 down at the end of the third quarter to win 36-35 in a thrilling road comeback.

3. Miami Hurricanes

Miami‘s turnaround after a disappointing 2022 season has gotten off to a good start over the first two weeks. After an easy Week 1 win over Miami (Ohio), the Hurricanes lit up the scoreboard in its 48-33 victory over Texas A&M.

Tyler Van Dyke is healthy after an injury-plagued 2022 and showcased that with 374 passing yards and five touchdowns. Two of his touchdown passes were from 52 and 64 yards.

4. Washington State Cougars

Washington State welcomed ranked Wisconsin to Pullman, Wash., and reminded the powers-that-be the Cougars are a Power Five football team — whether they have a conference or not. It was their first time hosting a Power Five opponent for a non-conference game since 1998.

Up 24-22 heading into the fourth quarter, Washington State held the Badgers scoreless in the fourth quarter. Cameron Ward had 212 yards and two touchdowns for the Cougars.

5. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado has been the story of college football the past two weeks. The Buffaloes made sure the hype will last at least another week with a dominant victory over Nebraska.

Both teams were tied after one quarter; then, Colorado showed their strength by scoring 36 points over the next three quarters. Shedeur Sanders had another outstanding game with 393 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The first two weeks of the college football season (plus Week 0) have been exciting. The next few weeks will hope to continue that.