Recapping the Biggest College Football Upsets From Week 2

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 28 - Syracuse Orange 31

Betting Line: Georgia Tech -3

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets started the season with a pair of convincing wins. First, they knocked off the 10th-ranked Florida State Seminoles in Ireland before cruising past a Georgia State Panthers side in Week 1. But they met their match in Week 2, losing to the Syracuse Orange as -3 chalk. 

Georgia Tech's defense imploded in upstate New York. They let the Orange throw for nearly 400 passing yards, posting a -137 yards differential in the defeat. Despite Haynes King's best efforts, the Yellow Jackets came up short in a tightly contested battle. Syracuse sharpens its claws against the Stanford Cardinal in Week 3, with Georgia Tech taking on VMI.

Northern Illinois Huskies 16 - #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 14

Betting Line: Notre Dame -28.5

The fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered the most stunning defeat in Week 2. The Fighting Irish dropped a heartbreaking 16-14 decision to the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium. NIU kicker Kanon Woodill drilled a 35-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to play, sealing the victory for the Group of Five program.

Notre Dame's playoff hopes aren't dashed but severely inhibited following the loss. Without a marquee matchup on their schedule until November, the Fighting Irish will need to run the table to have an outside shot of claiming a spot in the 12-team field.

South Carolina Gamecocks 31 - Kentucky Wildcats 6

Betting Line: Kentucky -9.5

The South Carolina Gamecocks and Kentucky Wildcats aren't the first programs that come to mind when considering SEC football. Still, that doesn't diminish the Gamecocks' accomplishment in Week 2, when they knocked off the host Wildcats as +9.5 underdogs. South Carolina held Kentucky to a paltry 183 yards of total offense, with all six of their points coming on second-quarter field goals.

Neither team has a conceivable shot at the SEC crown, but wins are a commodity for both as they fight for bowl game berths. 

Michigan State Spartans 27 - Maryland Terrapins 24

Betting Line: Maryland -7.5

Expectations for the Michigan State Spartans have changed over the years. Once a powerhouse of the Big Ten, Michigan State is fighting to stay relevant in an expanded conference field. That much was reflected in their closing line odds for their Week 2 showdown against the Maryland Terrapins. The Spartans were distant +7.5 underdogs at kick-off, cashing in as +275 longshots on the moneyline.

Most impressively, Michigan State was able to corral the Terrapins' explosive offense. After totaling 629 yards in Week 1, Maryland was held to 339 on Saturday. Consequently, they opened as short -2.5 road chalk for Week 3's road battle against the Virginia Cavaliers.

California Golden Bears 21 - Auburn Tigers 14

Betting Line: Auburn -10.5

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Once a perennial contender in the SEC Western Division, the Auburn Tigers haven't had a winning season since 2020. After Saturday's loss to the California Golden Bears, they are again relegated to the bottom of the power rankings. 

Auburn was installed as prohibitive -10.5 chalk, an unworthy designation in retrospect. The Tigers managed just 286 yards of total offense, but turnovers ultimately cost the hosts. Payton Thorne threw four interceptions in the loss, with a sub-optimal 51.9% completion rating.

A .500 record and bowl game could be out of reach for Auburn in 2024.

Central Michigan Chippewas 16 - FIU Panthers 52

Betting Line: Central Michigan -3.5

Group of Five matchups rarely move into the limelight, but we're bringing the FIU Panthers' monumental victory over the Central Michigan Chippewas into frame. FIU entered the contest as +3.5 home dogs, making short work of their MAC guests on Saturday afternoon. 

The Panthers scored 52 points in the win, albeit on 309 yards of total offense. Central Michigan shot itself in the foot throughout, turning the ball over six times with five interceptions and a lost fumble. In doing so, they earned the distinction of the most lopsided cover of the week.

#19 Kansas Jayhawks 17 - Illinois Fighting Illini 23

Betting Line: Kansas -5.5

Heading into the 2024 season, the Kansas Jayhawks had an outside shot of claiming the Big 12 Championship and earning a bid in the College Football Playoff. But after Week 2's dismantling at the hands of the Illinois Fighting Illini, Kansas has some things to figure out. 

The Jayhawks entered the contest as -5.5 road favorites against their Big Ten counterparts but left six-point losers. Turnovers were the difference for Kansas, as they outgained Illinois 327-271 but finished with a -3 turnover differential. They have a short week to prepare for a UNLV Rebels side that has scored 99 points through the first two weeks of the season.

Texas Tech Red Raiders 16 - Washington State Cougars 37

Betting Line: Texas Tech -2.5

Chalk this one up as one of the most curious decisions of the week. The Washington State Cougars opened as short home favorites for Saturday night's tilt versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders; however, by kick-off, the line had moved five full points, with Texas Tech installed as -2.5 chalk. That bogus line movement cost steam-chasing bettors as the Cougars made short work of the Red Raiders at Martin Stadium. 

Texas Tech was never in this game. They trailed for the final 50 minutes of the contest, allowing Washington State to rush for 301 yards. One of two remaining Pac-12 schools, the Cougars don't have much on the line this season. But Texas Tech must find its footing before its conference schedule kicks off in a few weeks.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 28 - Syracuse Orange 31

Betting Line: Georgia Tech -3

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets started the season with a pair of convincing wins. First, they knocked off the 10th-ranked Florida State Seminoles in Ireland before cruising past a Georgia State Panthers side in Week 1. But they met their match in Week 2, losing to the Syracuse Orange as -3 chalk. 

Georgia Tech's defense imploded in upstate New York. They let the Orange throw for nearly 400 passing yards, posting a -137 yards differential in the defeat. Despite Haynes King's best efforts, the Yellow Jackets came up short in a tightly contested battle. Syracuse sharpens its claws against the Stanford Cardinal in Week 3, with Georgia Tech taking on VMI.