5 Gloom-and-Doom & 5 Happy Thoughts about G6 Football from Week 2

Five Thoughts of Gloom and Doom from Week 2 of the G6 season

Western Kentucky went to Athens, Ga., and predictably came away with a loss. But it had to be disheartening to Tyson Helton and crew to look as painfully helpless as they did. The Hilltoppers trailed Georgia 49-6 at halftime and only avoided allowing triple digits because Kirby Smart was merciful. WKU was outgained 493-225 and turned the ball over four times. They did all this despite possessing the ball for 31:06.

Louisiana Tech took advantage of three LSU turnovers, including one that resulted in a 100-yard return for a touchdown, to play close with the Tigers. They trailed just 10-7 at halftime. That's the good news. Once LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt realized which team he played for — and actually threw the ball to matching jerseys — the Tigers seized control. With 35 second-half points, they sent the Bulldogs home with a 45-14 loss.

Temple continued its tradition of playing early-season chew toy for Penn State. But like LaTech in Baton Rouge, they made the big dog work for its prize. Penn State led only 10-3 at halftime, but the depth that always dogs the G6 in games like this showed through in the second half, as the Nittany Lions pulled away to win by a respectable score of 27-9.

Oh, poor Washington State. As one of the abandoned members of the Pac-12 as we knew it — and now one of the charter members of the new iteration — it's hard to envision a great future for the Cougars. After Saturday's 34-7 loss to Kansas State, there's certainly no reason to believe they can be the main attraction for a new conference that desperately needs one.

Teams are going to have to get it through their heads that North Dakota State is now a genuine FBS team. Air Force, I'm sure was already aware, but they got a tough reminder with a 38-32 home loss to the Bison Saturday. NDSU is now 3-0 and looking like an immediate problem.

Five Happy Thoughts from Week 2 of the G6 season

While Washington State, other member of the previous Pac-12, got waxed by Kansas State, Oregon State actually gave a good account of itself against a Texas Tech that has been billed as one of the best in the country. The Beavers trailed only 14-7 at halftime, and the outcome was still in doubt when Tech scored with just over a minute remaining.

Lincoln Riley's Southern California teams aren't exactly known for stifling defense, and the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana used a balanced attack to come away with a respectable 49-30 loss. Quarterback Lunch Winfield threw for 212 yards and one score, and the Cajuns rushed for 146 yards and three scores on the ground.

Utah State gave Washington a major scare, traveling to Seattle and losing to the Huskies just 16-14. The Aggies pulled within two points with 1:50 to play and had the ball with a chance to drive for a winning field goal. But Washington iced the game with a late interception.

In a fabulous game between two G6 powers, South Florida outlasted Army 28-24. The Bulls scored the game-winning touchdown with 19 seconds remaining. The teams were a combined 3-for-3 on fourth down attempts and combined for 716 yards.

James Madison hung 87 points on hapless Wagner. I'll leave it up to you whether that's a happy thought or not.