Week 2 delivered the first major shakeup of the 2026 college football season. No. 4 Texas completed an unforgettable comeback against No. 1 Ohio State, No. 23 Michigan redeemed itself by defeating No. 9 Oklahoma, and No. 6 Oregon suffered one of the most shocking losses of the young season.
Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami dominated their opponents, while Alabama, Texas A&M and Washington had to work harder than expected. Here is how every team in the Sportsvival Week 2 Top 25 performed.
No. 4 Texas 24, No. 1 Ohio State 23
Ohio State controlled the first three quarters and carried a 23-3 lead into the fourth, but Texas refused to go away. The Longhorns scored 21 unanswered points, taking the lead on Hollywood Smothers’ one-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds remaining.
Arch Manning completed 23 of 37 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His final numbers were not spectacular, but he delivered when Texas needed him most. Manning completed four of five passes on the final drive and helped move the Longhorns 73 yards for the winning score.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin completed 17 of 32 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jeremiah Smith was the best offensive player on the field, catching eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. However, the Buckeyes failed to score during the fourth quarter and missed a potential game-clinching field goal.
This was the best victory of the season, and Texas has earned the right to move from No. 4 to No. 1 in the next Sportsvival Top 25.
No. 2 Georgia 70, Western Kentucky 20
Georgia scored 49 points during the first half and completely overwhelmed Western Kentucky. Gunner Stockton completed 13 of 16 passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns as the Bulldogs continued to look like one of the most complete teams in the country.
The Bulldogs allowed 14 fourth-quarter points after the outcome had been decided, but there was little to criticize about this performance. Georgia should remain firmly inside the Top 3.
No. 3 Notre Dame 52, Rice 0
Notre Dame controlled the game from the opening drive and carried a 42-0 lead into halftime. CJ Carr completed 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
The Fighting Irish defense completely shut down Rice and recorded its first shutout of the season. Notre Dame has done everything necessary to protect its place near the top of the Sportsvival rankings.
No. 5 Indiana 55, Howard 0
Indiana scored 41 points during the first half and had no trouble with Howard. Josh Hoover only attempted 11 passes, but he threw for 145 yards and four touchdowns.
Lee Beebe Jr. rushed 16 times for 112 yards, while Charlie Becker caught three passes for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Indiana has now won its first two games without allowing a point.
Oklahoma State 39, No. 6 Oregon 31
This was the biggest upset of Week 2.
Oklahoma State entered the game having lost 21 consecutive games against FBS opponents, but the Cowboys shredded Oregon’s defense and handed the sixth-ranked Ducks their first loss.
Drew Mestemaker completed 26 of 43 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 rushing yards and another score. Christian Hawkins rushed 23 times for 110 yards and one touchdown, while Wendell Young caught five passes for 121 yards and a score.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and the Ducks had already struggled against Boise State during Week 1. They were unable to survive another scare in Stillwater and should take the largest fall in the next Sportsvival Top 25.
No. 7 Miami 77, Florida A&M 7
Miami scored 77 points and was able to give its starters an early exit. Darian Mensah was nearly perfect, completing 14 of 15 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan Lyle Mallory rushed 10 times for 142 yards and two scores, while Malachi Toney caught four passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. The Hurricanes remain one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country.
No. 8 LSU 45, Louisiana Tech 14
LSU was tied 7-7 during the second quarter and only led 10-7 at halftime, but the Tigers eventually took control. LSU scored 35 second-half points to remain undefeated.
Sam Leavitt completed 25 of 38 passes for 344 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Trey’Dez Green caught six passes for 104 yards and a score.
The final score was impressive, but LSU’s slow start gives Brian Kelly and his staff something to correct before facing No. 10 Ole Miss.
No. 23 Michigan 17, No. 9 Oklahoma 10
One week after surviving Western Michigan on a controversial Hail Mary, Michigan earned a legitimate statement victory over No. 9 Oklahoma.
Bryce Underwood struggled through the air, finishing with only 111 passing yards, but he carried 18 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Marshall scored the winning touchdown after the Michigan defense intercepted John Mateer during the fourth quarter.
Mateer completed 17 of 33 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Michigan EDGE John Henry Daley recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack, while Nate Marshall sealed the victory with a fourth-down sack.
Sportsvival dropped Michigan 11 positions after its fortunate Week 1 victory. The Wolverines still have offensive questions, but they earned back some respect by defeating a Top 10 opponent.
No. 10 Ole Miss 41, Charlotte 9
Ole Miss built a 27-0 halftime lead before cruising to its second victory of the season. Trinidad Chambliss completed 23 of 26 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.
Kewan Lacy rushed 13 times for 87 yards and two scores, while De’Zhaun Stribling Alexander caught eight passes for 76 yards. The Rebels now turn their attention toward a major Week 3 matchup against No. 8 LSU.
No. 11 Texas A&M 48, Arizona State 20
Texas A&M entered the fourth quarter leading only 24-20 before scoring 24 unanswered points. The Aggies returned two interceptions for touchdowns and turned a close game into a comfortable victory.
Arizona State wide receiver Raleek Harris was outstanding despite the loss, catching nine passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas A&M deserves credit for the finish, but the Aggies were in serious trouble for three quarters. They will need a more complete performance when the schedule becomes more difficult.
No. 12 Texas Tech 35, Oregon State 24
Texas Tech survived a huge passing performance from Oregon State quarterback Bryson Atkinson, who completed 31 of 51 passes for 413 yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon State receiver Jaden Legree caught eight passes for 240 yards and two scores, but the Red Raiders made the plays that mattered during the fourth quarter. Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams carried 20 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Texas Tech improved to 2-0, but allowing more than 400 passing yards will be a concern entering its ranked matchup against Houston.
No. 13 USC 49, Louisiana 30
USC improved to 3-0 behind another explosive performance from quarterback Jayden Maiava. He completed 19 of 29 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns.
King Miller added 128 rushing yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. USC continues to score points, but allowing 30 points to Louisiana exposed some defensive concerns.
No. 14 Alabama 45, Kentucky 17
Alabama trailed Kentucky 17-13 at halftime after committing multiple costly mistakes. The Crimson Tide responded by scoring 32 unanswered points and shutting out the Wildcats during the second half.
Daniel Hill rushed 18 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Keelon Russell completed 16 of 23 passes for 188 yards and one score.
The final score looked dominant, but Alabama cannot afford another first half like this when it begins facing stronger competition.
No. 15 BYU 28, Arizona 17
BYU trailed 17-14 at halftime before shutting out Arizona over the final two quarters. The Cougars scored once during every quarter and improved to 2-0.
LJ Martin carried 20 times for 98 yards, while LaMason Waller Glasker caught three passes for 74 yards. BYU’s defense made the difference by completely controlling the second half.
No. 16 Washington 16, Utah State 14
Washington avoided a damaging home upset, but this was not an impressive performance. Demond Williams Jr. completed 26 of 41 passes for 249 yards, and the Huskies needed two fourth-quarter field goals to survive.
Washington remains undefeated, but struggling this badly against Utah State could cost the Huskies several positions in the next Sportsvival rankings.
No. 17 Utah 43, Arkansas 10
Utah delivered one of the most impressive victories of Week 2. After Arkansas kicked an early field goal, the Utes scored 36 consecutive points and dominated the remainder of the game.
Devon Dampier completed 18 of 24 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Nate Bennee caught four passes for 113 yards and a score, while Wayshawn Parker rushed for two touchdowns.
The Utes should make a meaningful move upward after crushing an SEC opponent.
No. 18 Tennessee 45, Georgia Tech 24
Georgia Tech took an early 10-7 lead, but Tennessee responded by scoring 24 points over the next two quarters.
DeSean Bishop carried 20 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns as the Volunteers controlled the game on the ground. Tennessee scored at least 14 points during three of the four quarters and improved to 2-0.
No. 19 Penn State 27, Temple 9
Penn State started slowly and was held scoreless during the opening quarter, but the Nittany Lions eventually took control.
Rocco Becht completed 21 of 27 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer caught five passes for 79 yards and two scores, while Cam Hansen carried 19 times for 84 yards.
Penn State handled its business, but the Nittany Lions did not look as dominant as most of the teams ranked ahead of them.
No. 20 SMU 56, UC Davis 10
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings produced one of the most efficient performances of the weekend. Jennings completed 14 of 16 passes for 337 yards and five touchdowns.
The Mustangs led 42-0 at halftime and improved to 2-0. SMU will receive its first major test when it travels to face No. 25 Louisville in Week 3.
No. 21 Iowa 16, Iowa State 13
The Cy-Hawk rivalry once again became a defensive struggle. Iowa scored six unanswered points during the fourth quarter to remain undefeated.
Hank Brown completed 21 of 30 passes for 191 yards, while receiver Tavin Diaz caught eight passes for 95 yards. It was not pretty, but Iowa found a way to defeat its in-state rival.
No. 22 South Carolina 45, Towson 9
South Carolina handled Towson and improved to 2-0. The Gamecocks also received a record-setting return touchdown from Vicari Swain, giving the special-teams unit another explosive weapon.
The Gamecocks have won their first two games by a combined score of 102-9. The level of competition has been limited, but South Carolina has done exactly what a ranked team should do against overmatched opponents.
No. 24 Houston 77, Southern 6
Houston scored touchdowns on its first 11 possessions and held Southern to only four first downs and 121 total yards.
The Cougars tied the fifth-highest scoring performance in school history and improved to 2-0. Houston now faces No. 12 Texas Tech in one of Week 3’s most important Big 12 games.
No. 25 Louisville 59, Villanova 13
Louisville scored 17 points during the opening quarter and never looked back. Lincoln Kienholz completed 16 of 21 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns.
Maurice Davis rushed seven times for 86 yards and two scores, while Louisville’s defense kept Villanova out of the end zone during the second half.
The Cardinals responded well after losing their season opener and now have an opportunity to climb back up the rankings against No. 20 SMU.
Biggest Week 2 Storylines
Texas Produces a Comeback for the Ages
Texas appeared finished after falling behind Ohio State 23-3, but Arch Manning and the Longhorns refused to quit. Texas scored touchdowns on all three of its fourth-quarter possessions and earned the best victory in the country.
The Longhorns entered the weekend ranked No. 4 by Sportsvival and should become the new No. 1 team.
Oregon Suffers a Stunning Loss
Oklahoma State had not defeated an FBS opponent in nearly two years. That made Oregon’s defensive performance even more alarming.
The Ducks struggled against Boise State during Week 1 and were unable to survive another scare. Oregon will fall hard from its Sportsvival ranking of No. 6.
Michigan Earns Its Redemption
Sportsvival dropped Michigan from No. 12 to No. 23 after its controversial victory over Western Michigan. The Wolverines responded by defeating No. 9 Oklahoma.
Michigan’s offense still has plenty of work to do, but its defense was outstanding. The Wolverines earned a significant move back up the rankings.
Alabama and Texas A&M Respond
Both SEC contenders faced serious pressure.
Alabama trailed Kentucky at halftime, while Texas A&M led Arizona State by only four points entering the fourth quarter. Both teams responded with dominant finishes and remained undefeated.
Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami Roll
Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami won by a combined score of 254-27. None faced elite competition, but all four teams looked like legitimate College Football Playoff contenders.
Utah Makes a Statement
Utah entered the weekend ranked No. 17 and produced one of the most impressive performances of Week 2. Beating Arkansas was significant, but dominating the Razorbacks 43-10 made an even stronger statement.
Final Word
Week 2 reminded everyone why college football is impossible to predict. Texas went from being completely outplayed to earning the best victory in the country. Michigan went from being the target of criticism to defeating a Sportsvival Top 10 opponent. Oregon went from the No. 6 team in the country to one of the season’s biggest disappointments.
The next Sportsvival Top 25 will look very different, but one conclusion is already clear: Texas has earned the right to stand at No. 1.
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