2026 Week 2 College Football Predictions for Every Game

Headlined by Ohio State's trip to Texas, Week 2 of the 2026 college football season is set to bring some showdowns.

Texas is looking for revenge in that contest after Ohio State won last year's clash in Columbus. Either way, the winner is poised to add a very important bullet to its early College Football Playoff résumé.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Oklahoma plays at Michigan in another big nonconference rematch. Arizona heads to BYU for an intriguing Big 12 opener, as well.

Throw in Memphis' trip to Boise State, and Week 2 has a diverse range of key games throughout Saturday's slate.

Rankings are based on the AP Top 25.

Saturday Afternoon Games | Saturday Early Games | Saturday Evening Games, Part I | Saturday Evening Games, Part II | Top Matchups for Week 2 | Weekday Games

Top Matchups for Week 2

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Arch Manning

No. 11 Oklahoma (1-0) at Michigan (1-0), Noon ET

Look beyond the miraculous, controversial Hail Mary for Michigan in Week 1, and the takeaway was simple: This offense looked horrendous. If the Wolverines could not create space on a respectable Western Michigan defense, can they actually handle a potentially elite Oklahoma unit? Seems doubtful.

Prediction: Oklahoma 26, Michigan 13

No. 12 Alabama (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

On paper, Alabama is far superior. The unknowns at Kentucky are interesting, though. New coach Will Stein is a great offensive mind, and transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns in his team debut. Don't be shocked if UK becomes a thorn for Bama.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Kentucky 17

Arizona (1-0) at No. 15 BYU (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

Between a veteran roster, reliable QB in Bear Bachmeier and home-field advantage, BYU is a deserving favorite and the pick to win. However, the Cougars will be without key safety Raider Damuni due to a knee injury. One absence should not crush BYU's secondary, but that's a notable area for Arizona to attack in hopes of springing a slight upset in Provo.

Prediction: BYU 27, Arizona 23

Memphis (2-0) at Boise State (0-1), 6 p.m.

The winner on the blue turf should take pole position in the Group of Six's race for a CFP bid. Memphis already beat UNLV, and Boise State gained respect in a tight loss to Oregon. One issue for Memphis is four takeaways—while fantastic—atoned for a shaky day in coverage last week. Timely plays are great on defense, but Boise's offense consistently being able to move the ball is a concern.

Prediction: Boise State 30, Memphis 24

No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) at No. 4 Texas (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Depending on this result, Ryan Day should be fired or Arch Manning can't handle the spotlight. Take your pick. In reality, though, the only unacceptable outcome for either side would be a blowout. This margin looks minimal. Will the Texas pass-rushers win the night? Or will Ohio State's skill-position group, led by Jeremiah Smith, be enough on the road? I'll lean, not confidently, toward the latter.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Texas 24

Weekday Games

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Malachi Toney

Florida A&M at No. 7 Miami (1-0), Thursday, 8 p.m. ET

The result will never be a question. But after Malachi Toney struck the Heisman Trophy pose three times at Stanford, how long will the 'Canes allow him and quarterback Darian Mensah to pad their stats?

Prediction: Miami 63, FAMU 7

No. 23 Missouri (1-0) at Kansas (1-0), Friday, 8 p.m.

Missouri, which won the Border War meeting 42-31 last season, is a road favorite. Austin Simmons passed for 252 yards and four touchdowns in his Mizzou debut, and that offense should be the best unit on the field. Rivalries always have an element of unpredictability, but Missouri is the stronger team.

Prediction: Missouri 34, Kansas 24

Villanova at No. 24 Louisville (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Louisville 48, Villanova 10

Norfolk State at No. 25 Virginia (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia 49, Norfolk State 7

Richmond at North Carolina State (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: NC State 44, Richmond 10

Rutgers (0-1) at Boston College (0-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: BC 26, Rutgers 22

Saturday Early Games

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Dakorien Moore

No. 6 Oregon (1-0) at Oklahoma State (0-1), Noon ET

I'm trying not to overreact about one game—the literal first of Eric Morris' tenure at Oklahoma State. In theory, OSU's talent and ability far outweighs what the team showed in a Week 1 loss to Tulsa. Simultaneously, it's tough to expect a real bounce-back performance when a top-ranked Oregon squad comes to Stillwater.

Prediction: Oregon 38, Oklahoma State 13

Arizona State (1-0) at No. 10 Texas A&M (1-0), Noon

Following a rout of Morgan State, Arizona State is aiming to prove it deserves more respect. Texas A&M, however, holds a two-fold advantage of an elite-level defense in a raucous home setting. There is upset potential here, but it's mild.

Prediction: Texas A&M 30, Arizona State 17

Howard at No. 5 Indiana (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Indiana 59, Howard 7

No. 16 Penn State (1-0) at Temple, Noon
Prediction: Penn State 38, Temple 13

Wake Forest (1-0) at Purdue (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Wake Forest 27, Purdue 22

Old Dominion (1-0) at Virginia Tech (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Virginia Tech 37, ODU 13

East Tennessee State at North Carolina (1-0), Noon
Prediction: UNC 34, ETSU 7

Washington State (0-1) at Kansas State (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Kansas State 27, Washington State 24

South Florida (1-0) at Army (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Army 28, USF 23

Appalachian State (1-0) at East Carolina (0-1), Noon
Prediction: ECU 30, App State 23

Wofford at Kent State (0-1), Noon
Prediction: Kent State 34, Wofford 10

Western Kentucky (0-1) at No. 2 Georgia (1-0), 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia 56, WKU 7

UT Martin at West Virginia (1-0), 1 p.m.
Prediction: WVU 45, UT Martin 9

Colgate at Central Michigan (0-1), 1 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 43, Colgate 14

Holy Cross at Miami (Ohio) (0-1), 1 p.m.
Prediction: Miami U 38, Holy Cross 13

Stony Brook at Ball State (0-1), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Ball State 35, Stony Brook 7

Saturday Afternoon Games

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CJ Carr

Rice (1-0) at No. 3 Notre Dame (1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

Wisconsin hung around into the second half before Notre Dame started to put together a blowout margin. In this matchup with Rice, the Fighting Irish are more likely to flex their offensive muscle early and run away.

Prediction: Notre Dame 49, Rice 7

Utah State (0-1) at No. 19 Washington (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

Given that Utah State fell to lower-division Idaho State in Week 1, this shouldn't be close. Washington, though, needs to take advantage of a slow build-up toward a difficult Big Ten slate. Star quarterback Demond Williams Jr., the key to the Huskies' season, accounted for 329 yards and two scores in the opener.

Prediction: Washington 45, Utah State 14

UCF (1-0) at Pitt (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Pitt 34, UCF 23

Cal (0-1) at Syracuse (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Syracuse 31, Cal 29

Duke (1-0) at Illinois (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Illinois 24, Duke 20

Mississippi State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Mississippi State 27, Minnesota 23

Maryland (1-0) at Connecticut (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Maryland 30, Maryland 24

Eastern Michigan (1-1) at Michigan State (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: MSU 38, EMU 14

Weber State at Colorado (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado 41, Weber State 7

UTSA (1-0) at Texas State (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UTSA 38, Texas State 33

Louisiana-Monroe (0-1) at UAB (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UAB 31, ULM 21

Robert Morris at Akron (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Akron 43, RMU 17

Central Connecticut at Toledo (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Toledo 45, CCSU 14

Sacred Heart at Massachusetts (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UMass 41, Sacred Heart 10

Wagner at James Madison (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 48, Wagner 10

UNLV (1-1) at North Texas (0-1), 3:45 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 31, North Texas 24

UC Davis at No. 17 SMU (1-0), 4 p.m.
Prediction: SMU 52, UC Davis 14

Mercyhurst at New Mexico (1-0), 4 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 55, Mercyhurst 7

Northern Colorado at Wyoming (0-1), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Wyoming 34, Northern Colorado 13

Alabama State at Troy (1-0), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 42, Alabama State 6

Delaware (1-0) at Vanderbilt (1-0), 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 38, Delaware 16

Saturday Evening Games, Part I

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Faizon Brandon

No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) at Georgia Tech (0-1), 7 p.m. ET

It would be a perfectly Brent Key result for Georgia Tech to lose at home against Colorado, then immediately turn around and beat a ranked team. No, I'm not predicting that. Tennessee has a sturdy defense and may further expose early concerns about GT's offense. But an upset wouldn't fall in the "shocking" category.

Prediction: Tennessee 27, Georgia Tech 20

Southern at No. 22 Houston (1-0), 7 p.m. ET

Houston is going to win. That settled, the notable part is what's next. Houston heads to Texas Tech for a Friday night showdown in Week 3. If the Cougars win there, it would be a serious twist in the Big 12. So, for this contest, the target is building a big lead quickly and exiting at full strength.

Prediction: Houston 52, Southern 7

Campbell at Florida (1-0), 5:30 p.m.
Prediction: Florida 59, Campbell 3

Buffalo (1-0) at Florida International (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: FIU 23, Buffalo 17

Jacksonville State (1-1) at Ohio (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Ohio 27, Jax State 22

Gardner-Webb at Liberty (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Liberty 42, Gardner-Webb 10

Monmouth at Western Michigan (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Prediction: WMU 45, Monmouth 7

Bowling Green (0-1) at Nebraska (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Nebraska 44, BGSU 14

Western Carolina at Cincinnati (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Cincinnati 48, Western Carolina 6

Towson at South Carolina (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: South Carolina 52, Towson 3

South Alabama (1-0) at Tulane (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Tulane 27, South Alabama 14

Tulsa (1-0) at Sam Houston (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Tulsa 30, Sam Houston 20

Southern Utah at Colorado State (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado State 41, Southern Utah 10

Illinois State at Northern Illinois (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: NIU 34, Illinois State 14

Georgia State (1-0) at Kennesaw State (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Kennesaw State 33, Georgia State 26

Middle Tennessee (1-0) at Marshall (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 38, MTSU 20

Lindenwood at Missouri State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Missouri State 47, Lindenwood 7

West Georgia at Arkansas State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 43, West Georgia 10

San Diego State (1-0) at UCLA (1-0), 7:15 p.m.
Prediction: UCLA 31, SDSU 17

Western Illinois at Wisconsin (0-1), 7:15 p.m.
Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Western Illinois 3

Saturday Evening Games, Part II

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Sam Leavitt

Louisiana Tech (1-0) at No. 8 LSU (1-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

While not necessarily a "trap" game, LSU must be able to handle an emotional roller coaster and avoid a slow start. This matchup is sandwiched between the opener with Clemson and Lane Kiffin's first return trip to Ole Miss.

Prediction: LSU 52, La Tech 10

Iowa State (1-0) at No. 21 Iowa (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

As usual, this should be a defensive battle. Six of the last seven winners of the Cy-Hawk Trophy managed no more than 20 points. I anticipate Iowa clipping the mark, given the sweeping offseason changes for Iowa State. Still, in true Iowa fashion, it probably won't be comfortable, either.

Prediction: Iowa 23, Iowa State 17

No. 13 Texas Tech (1-0) at Oregon State (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Oregon State 20

Georgia Southern (1-0) at Clemson (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Clemson 41, Georgia Southern 17

Navy (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 35, FAU 27

Fordham at Coastal Carolina (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 42, Fordham 9

Charlotte (0-1) at No. 9 Ole Miss (1-0), 7:45 p.m.
Prediction: Ole Miss 56, Charlotte 7

Southern Miss (1-0) at Auburn (1-0), 7:45 p.m.
Prediction: Auburn 45, Southern Miss 14

Prairie View A&M at Baylor (0-1), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Baylor 52, PVAMU 6

Grambling at TCU (0-1), 8 p.m.
Prediction: TCU 55, Grambling 10

Cal Poly at San Jose State (1-1), 9 p.m.
Prediction: SJSU 46, Cal Poly 14

Texas Southern at UTEP (0-1), 9 p.m.
Prediction: UTEP 42, Texas Southern 10

North Dakota State (2-0) at Air Force (1-0), 10 p.m.
Prediction: NDSU 27, Air Force 17

Arkansas (1-0) at No. 20 Utah (1-0), 10:15 p.m.
Prediction: Utah 34, Arkansas 27

Sacramento State (1-1) at Fresno State (0-1), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 30, Sac State 13

Montana State at Nevada (1-0), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Nevada 27, Montana State 24

Louisiana (1-0) at No. 14 USC (2-0), 11 p.m.
Prediction: USC 49, Louisiana 10

New Mexico State (1-1) at Hawaii (0-2), 11:59 p.m.
Prediction: Hawaii 31, NMSU 17