Dan Mullen reveals top team performances from Week 2
On Monday, former Florida head coach and ESPN analyst Dan Mullen released his Top Teams of the Week list. With numerous upset victories and powerhouse meetings, Mullen had no shortage of teams to choose from.
Four ranked teams fell this weekend to unranked foes. With each win or loss in the win column, teams grow closer to cementing their place in the postseason. Mullen believes these five teams are heading in the right direction, starting with Northern Illinois.
1. Northern Illinois Huskies
On Saturday, Northern Illinois pulled off the biggest upset of the season yet, stunning No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14. The win was Northern Illinois’ first against a Top-10 team in program history.
In the victory, Huskies quarterback Ethan Hampton tallied 198 passing yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. However, it was NIU’s defense that shined, holding Notre Dame to 286 total yards of offense and squeezing two turnovers out of the Fighting Irish.
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South Carolina marched into Kentucky‘s Kroger Field as a 10-point underdog and left with a jaw-dropping 31-6 victory. South Carolina has now won three straight meetings against the Wildcats.
In the win, the Gamecocks’ defense was impenetrable, only allowing Kentucky to notch 183 yards. The team hounded Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff all afternoon, racking up five sacks. For at least one week, South Carolina will stand alone atop the SEC standings.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
On Saturday, Iowa State clawed its way back from a 13-0 deficit against Iowa to secure a 20-19 victory and take home the Cy-Hawk Trophy. The game came down to the wire, with Cyclones kicker Kyle Konrardy nailing a game-winning 54-yard field goal with six seconds left on the clock.
Iowa State QB Rocco Becht threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Wide receiver Jaylin Noel led the way out wide, collecting a game-high 133 receiving yards and a score.
4. Texas Longhorns
If there was any doubt about Texas’ potential this season, there isn’t now. On Saturday, the Longhorns made a statement in their dominant 31-12 win over No. 9 Michigan. Texas’ win ended a 23-game home winning streak for the Wolverines.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers looked like a Heisman Trophy finalist in the triumph, erupting for 246 passing yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Texas’ defense was fearsome, forcing Michigan to commit three turnovers.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
Dan Mullen gave his final nod to another SEC team: the Tennessee Volunteers. On Saturday, Tennessee blew out No. 24 NC State 51-10. Tennessee’s offense was unstoppable, finishing with 460 total yards.
The Volunteers’ defense was equally impressive, containing NC State’s offense to a mere 143 total yards. Tennessee’s offense capitalized on its extended time on the field, scoring on eight of its 11 drives with redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava behind center.