B/R's 2026 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 2

After a chalky Week 1 of the 2026 season, college football fans were quickly reminded that chaos reigns supreme with an upset-laden Week 2 slate.

Michigan followed up its controversial Week 1 victory over Western Michigan with an upset of Oklahoma, while Oregon fell to an Oklahoma State team that just lost to Tulsa to open the season, handing a pair of presumptive College Football Playoff contenders an early loss.

The game of the week also lived up to the hype, as Texas rallied from down 23-3 to beat Ohio State and make a compelling case to be considered the nation's top team at this early juncture.

Now it's time for Bleacher Report's updated top 25 ranking, with the college football writing staff of David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Joel Reuter and Brad Shepard making up our voting panel.

Note: These rankings will be updated to reflect the Utah vs. Arkansas and USC vs. Louisiana results, if needed.

Nos. 25-21

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Kamario Taylor

25. Mississippi State (2-0, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Minnesota (38-13)
Next Week: at South Carolina

The Bulldogs got an early road test under their belt against Minnesota in Week 2, and the defense shined, limiting Drake Lindsey to 5.8 yards per attempt on 48 passes and the Golden Gophers' collective rushing attack to 13 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Kamario Taylor had 227 passing yards, 86 rushing yards and three touchdowns, a week after he had 413 total yards and five scores in a blowout win against UL Monroe.

24. Virginia Tech (2-0, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Old Dominion (44-21)
Next Week: at Maryland

After hanging 73 points on VMI in their opener, the Virginia Tech offense was humming again on Saturday. The Hokies built a 34-6 halftime lead, and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer had a 327-yard, two-touchdown day through the air to lead the offensive attack. The running game only managed 89 yards and 2.1 yards per carry, which led to Grunkemeyer attempting 41 passes, so they will need to find more balance in ACC play.

23. Michigan (2-0, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Oklahoma (17-10)
Next Week: vs. UTEP

After a noisy week amid blowback from their controversial win against Western Michigan and reaction to comments from head coach Kyle Whittingham on Bryce Underwood's potentially tenuous hold on the starting quarterback job, the Wolverines scored a signature win at the Big House on Saturday. They took a 10-0 lead into halftime and the defense dug in down the stretch, limiting the Sooners to an interception, a punt, a turnover on downs and a stalled final drive as time expired.

22. Iowa (2-0, Previous Rank: 21)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Iowa State (16-13)
Next Week: vs. Northern Iowa

It wasn't pretty, but it rarely is in the grind-it-out Cy-Hawk rivalry, and the Hawkeyes came out on top thanks to a 42-yard field goal from kicker Caden Buhr with 15 seconds remaining to break a 13-13 tie. Both teams scored a touchdown in the second quarter on successive possessions, and then it was simply a game of defense, field position and kicking. Freshman Tony Diaz (8 catches, 95 yards) continues to provide a spark offensively, while Hank Brown was 21-of-30 for 191 yards while also adding a rushing score.

21. Oklahoma (1-1, Previous Rank: 10)

Week 2 Result: LOSS at Michigan (10-17)
Next Week: vs. New Mexico

Michigan punted in a 10-10 game with 9:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Sooners quarterback John Mateer threw an interception on the subsequent drive and the Wolverines responded with a touchdown. The Sooners then ran 13 plays across three separate drives the rest of the way and managed just 25 total yards, resulting in a punt, a turnover on downs and the clock running out. Mateer finished with 189 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and one touchdown, as his dual-threat impact was significantly limited.

Nos. 20-16

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Robert Woodyard Jr.

20. Louisville (1-1, Previous Rank: 22)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Villanova (59-13)
Next Week: vs. SMU

After perhaps the best performance in a loss of any team in Week 1 when they fell 41-38 in a nail-biter against Ole Miss, Louisville took its turn at a cupcake game on Friday night in a blowout win over Villanova. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz had 332 passing yards, 42 rushing yards and four total touchdowns, leading the charge for a Cardinals offensive attack that piled up 635 total yards and found the end zone twice in each quarter.

19. Missouri (2-0, Previous Rank: 24)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Kansas (38-21)
Next Week: vs. Troy

The Border War rivalry game returned after a 13-year hiatus in 2025 with a 42-31 Missouri victory, and the Tigers came out on top again on Friday night, though it was a 14-14 tie at halftime. Linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. swung the momentum coming out of halftime with a fumble recovery and an interception on the first two Kansas drives of the third quarter as Mizzou turned both of those takeaways into touchdowns. Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons (19-of-29, 292 yards, 3 TD) had another strong game under center.

18. Houston (2-0, Previous Rank: 25)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Southern (77-6)
Next Week: at Texas Tech

The Cougars scored a touchdown on each of their first 11 offensive possessions and piled up a whopping 388 rushing yards and six rushing scores for one of the most lopsided victories on the Week 2 slate. It was a well-timed blowout following a less-than-convincing showing against Oregon State last weekend, and should provide some welcome momentum heading into a big Week 3 showdown with Texas Tech. Defensively, holding the opposition to negative-six rushing yards on 22 carries deserves a mention, regardless of the opposition.

17. Penn State (2-0, Previous Rank: 20)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Temple (27-9)
Next Week: vs. Buffalo

The Nittany Lions were 23.5-point favorites against Temple in a neutral-site game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but found themselves in a close game early when they posted a missed field goal, punt and turnover on downs before finally putting points on the board with 6:51 remaining in the first half. That was the start of 27 unanswered points en route to a comfortable win, but the early struggles moving the ball were troubling nonetheless. Rocco Becht finished 21-of-27 for 268 yards and three touchdowns after a four-touchdown performance in their opener.

16. Utah (1-0, Previous Rank: 17)

Week 2 Result: Leading 29-3 at halftime vs. Arkansas
Next Week: vs. Utah State

Full analysis will be added after the conclusion of the game.

Nos. 15-11

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DeSean Bishop

15. Tennessee (2-0, Previous Rank: 18)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Georgia Tech (45-24)
Next Week: vs. Kennesaw State

True freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon (10-of-21, 148 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) didn't have the most efficient game under center, but he protected the football, and DeSean Bishop (20 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD) led the way for a rushing attack that pounded out 45 carries for 299 yards. The Volunteers scored 24 unanswered points across the second and third quarters to seize control and score a road win against a Power Four opponent.

14. SMU (2-0, Previous Rank: 16)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. UC Davis (56-10)
Next Week: at Louisville

After a bizarre season opener where a power surge delayed kickoff by nearly two hours and the Mustangs escaped with a 27-24 victory over Florida State, it was a far more comfortable Week 2 performance against an outgunned UC Davis squad. Kevin Jennings threw for 337 yards and five touchdowns, and backup Ty Hawkins added two more scores en route to a staggering 454 passing yards on only 32 attempts as a team. A big early ACC showdown on the road against Louisville awaits next Saturday.

13. Texas Tech (2-0, Previous Rank: 13)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Oregon State (35-24)
Next Week: vs. Houston

The Red Raiders trailed 24-21 early in the fourth quarter in a game where their defense was torched for 403 passing yards, but they clamped down when it mattered to force a punt and two turnovers on downs to pull away down the stretch. A 32-yard touchdown pass from Will Hammond to Coy Eakin with 6:37 remaining gave Texas Tech the lead for good, and the Red Raiders survived a scare from an Oregon State squad that also played Houston tough in Week 1.

12. BYU (2-0, Previous Rank: 15)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Arizona (28-17)
Next Week: at Colorado State

Bear Bachmeier (16-of-26, 217 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) outplayed Noah Fifita (23-of-31, 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) in a matchup of returning Big 12 starters. The BYU defense forced a decisive turnover on downs with 8:24 remaining in a 21-17 game, then the offense put things out of reach with an efficient four-play, 82-yard touchdown drive. The Cougars now have a relatively clear path to a 5-0 start before their Oct. 17 showdown with Notre Dame.

11. Alabama (2-0, Previous Rank: 14)

Week 2 Result: WIN at Kentucky (45-17)
Next Week: vs. Florida State

Keelon Russell threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in an ugly game for both sides that featured six turnovers and 16 penalties, but the end result was still a 28-point conference win on the road for the Crimson Tide. A 17-16 Kentucky lead with 5:42 left in the third quarter devolved into a blowout when Alabama finally found another gear and strung together four consecutive touchdown drives. Daniel Hill was the offensive headliner, logging 18 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Nos. 10-6

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Trinidad Chambliss

10. LSU (2-0, Previous Rank: 8)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Louisiana Tech (45-14)
Next Week: at Ole Miss

No matter how you spin it, a three-interception game from Sam Leavitt against Louisiana Tech is not an ideal springboard for LSU heading into the SEC gauntlet with Ole Miss on the horizon next weekend. Sure, he also had 344 passing yards, a passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns, but the margin for error is about to shrink by an astronomical margin. Credit the LSU defense for coming up with three takeaways of their own and allowing just 140 yards, but this game raised more red flags than green.

9. USC (2-0, Previous Rank: 12)

Week 2 Result: Leading 28-10 at halftime vs. Louisiana
Next Week: at Rutgers

Full analysis will be added after the conclusion of the game.

8. Ole Miss (2-0, Previous Rank: 9)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Charlotte (41-9)
Next Week: vs. LSU

After throwing 15 incompletions and a pick against Louisville in Week 1, Heisman Trophy candidate Trinidad Chambliss was nearly perfect against the Charlotte defense, completing 23-of-26 attempts for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Also encouraging, star running back Kewan Lacy had 13 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns after a leg injury knocked him out of the Louisville game. The defense bent, allowing 322 yards, but ultimately surrendered just three field goals.

7. Texas A&M (2-0, Previous Rank: 11)

Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Arizona State (48-20)
Next Week: vs. Kentucky

The Aggies led just 24-20 heading into the fourth quarter, but scored 24 unanswered points, including a pair of Cutter Boley interceptions returned for touchdowns. The defense tallied four total takeaways on the day, helping to prop up a lackluster offense that managed just 255 total yards and 2.6 yards per carry on the ground. Marcel Reed finished 15-of-25 for 163 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, finding Isaiah Horton on two of his touchdown strikes.

6. Ohio State (1-1, Previous Rank: 1)

Week 2 Result: LOSS at Texas (23-24)
Next Week: vs. Kent State

The Buckeyes were in complete control for three quarters on Saturday night, carrying a 23-3 lead into the fourth quarter, but the offense had already started to stall after halftime, and the defense was unable to slow down the Texas attack on three consecutive long touchdown drives. Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (8 catches, 164 yards, 1 TD) had another huge game, but the rest of the Ohio State offense was largely held in check, including a running game that finished with 31 carries for 94 yards.

5. Indiana Hoosiers (2-0, Previous Rank: 6)

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Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Howard (55-0)
Next Week: vs. Western Kentucky

Josh Hoover threw four touchdown passes on only 11 pass attempts before heading to the sidelines, and the Hoosiers built a 41-0 lead heading into halftime against FCS opponent Howard.

While the passing game shined early, the running game also piled up 301 yards on 46 carries, while the defense allowed 57 yards on 47 plays from the Howard offense. 

Through two games, the defending champs have outscored the opposition 107-17, including 65-6 in the first half. Expect another lopsided result next week against a Western Kentucky team that lost 70-20 to Georgia on Saturday.

4. Georgia Bulldogs (2-0, Previous Rank: 4)

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Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Western Kentucky (70-20)
Next Week: at Arkansas

It was another abbreviated game for Gunner Stockton and many of the Georgia starters, as the Bulldogs scored touchdowns on each of their first seven drives to build a 49-0 lead with 5:51 remaining in the second quarter. 

Stockton finished 13-of-16 passing for 234 yards and five touchdowns, while the running game tallied 234 yards and an impressive 6.7 yards per carry. Backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi helped pad that total with a 70-yard touchdown run.

Both touchdowns from the Hilltoppers came in the fourth quarter facing largely reserves, as it was a 63-6 game before their first trip into the end zone.

3. Miami Hurricanes (2-0, Previous Rank: 3)

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Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Florida A&M (77-7)
Next Week: at Wake Forest

The Hurricanes hung a school record 856 total yards of offense on a hapless Florida A&M defense, finding the end zone on 11 of their first 12 possessions, with the only exception being a kneel down before halftime in what was already a 49-0 blowout. 

Darian Mensah (14-of-15, 252 yards, 3 TD), Mark Fletcher Jr. (7 carries, 105 yards, 2 TD) and Malachi Toney (4 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD) all got their work in before an early move to the sidelines, while backup quarterback Luke Nickel also completed all eight of his pass attempts for 144 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense allowed 2.3 yards per play, four first downs and 107 total yards, and the Rattlers' only points came on a 72-yard fumble return touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0, Previous Rank: 2)

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Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Rice (52-0)
Next Week: vs. Michigan State

The Notre Dame defense allowed 128 total yards and a grand total of seven first downs while coming up with four takeaways in a smothering performance against a Rice team that has not had a winning season in more than a decade.

CJ Carr completed 16-of-20 pass attempts for 253 yards and four touchdowns before taking a seat on the sidelines, and even in a blowout, the Fighting Irish finished with more pass attempts (33) than rush attempts (32) as life after Jeremiyah Love brings a more balanced attack.

It was Notre Dame's first shutout since Nov. 19, 2022, when they blanked a Boston College team that finished 3-9.

1. Texas Longhorns (2-0, Previous Rank: 5)

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Week 2 Result: WIN vs. Ohio State (24-23)
Next Week: vs. UTSA

Down 23-3 entering the fourth quarter, the Longhorns came from behind with three methodical touchdown drives of 15 plays and 91 yards, 13 plays and 72 yards and 12 plays and 73 yards to avenge a 14-7 loss in the season opener a year ago. 

The high-powered Ohio State offense was limited to three punts, a made field goal and a missed field goal after halftime, and that defensive effort paved the way for the unlikely comeback. Arch Manning finished 23-of-37 for 196 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Hollywood Smothers tallied 21 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score. 

The road ahead is a grind, but with the toughest opponent off the board in a thrilling victory, the Longhorns belong squarely in the national championship conversation.

B/R Top 25 Ranking After Week 2

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B/R Top 25

1. Texas

2. Notre Dame

3. Miami

4. Georgia

5. Indiana

6. Ohio State

7. Texas A&M

8. Ole Miss

9. USC

10. LSU

11. Alabama

12. BYU

13. Texas Tech

14. SMU

15. Tennessee

16. Utah

17. Penn State

18. Houston

19. Missouri

20. Louisville

21. Oklahoma

22. Iowa

23. Michigan

24. Virginia Tech

25. Mississippi State

Others Receiving Votes: Oregon, Kansas State, UCLA, Duke