B/R'S 2026 College Football Playoff Bracket Projections and Predictions after Week 2

Between a slight upset in Michigan, a stunner for Oregon and an incredible comeback at Texas, Week 2 has forced some significant early changes in the College Football Playoff picture.

Most notably, we have a new No. 1 team.

Gone is Ohio State—which remains the projected field—and in steps Texas, the squad that stunned OSU on Saturday night. On the back end, Oklahoma drops to the wrong side of the bubble after its ugly setback at Michigan.

The projected bracket is a reflection of B/R's Top 25 dropped into the organization of the official CFP format.

Key Results in Week 2

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Bryce Underwood

Michigan 17, Oklahoma 10

Fresh off a controversial win, Michigan had plenty of doubters—and properly so. However, the Wolverines rode their defense to a slight upset of Oklahoma. Jyaire Hill snatched a key interception midway through the fourth quarter, and his return set up Jordan Marshall's winning touchdown run.

Oklahoma State 39, Oregon 31

I, uh—I did not expect that! Oklahoma State, which fell to Tulsa during the opening game of the season, was a massive home underdog. Oregon, meanwhile, has a veteran roster that entered the campaign as a prime national championship hopeful. In true chaos-fueled fashion, OSU pulled off a wild upset behind Drew Mestemaker's 426 total yards and three scores.

Texas 24, Ohio State 23

During the first half, everything went wrong for Texas. But then, the Longhorns flipped their fortunes in the fourth quarter. Arch Manning's mobility, a powerful offensive line and two dynamic backs helped Texas overcome a 23-3 deficit and clip Ohio State thanks to a last-minute touchdown.

B/R's Top 25 After Week 2

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Arch Manning

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

Post-Week 2 CFP Picture

Seeding is a reflection of how B/R's Top 25 would shape the bracket.

Power 4 Champions and Top Group of 6 Team

1. Texas (SEC)
2. Miami (ACC)
3. Indiana (Big Ten)
4. BYU (Big 12)
5. Boise State (Pac-12)

At-Large Bids

1. Notre Dame (Independent)
2. Georgia (SEC)
3. Ohio State (Big Ten)
4. Texas A&M (SEC)
5. Ole Miss (SEC)
6. USC (Big Ten)
7. LSU (SEC)

Oregon's New Burden of Proof

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It's only been two weeks.

One loss doesn't destroy a season.

Simultaneously, for an Oregon program that expected to compete at the highest levels in 2026, this is a mess right now. Boise State put a serious scare into the Ducks, and Oklahoma State finished them off.

The worst-case scenario is Dan Lanning's team is the dreaded fraud. The narrative around Oregon has an eerily similar feeling to that of 2025 Penn State.

Again, it's simply one potential outcome. I don't subscribe to that theory.

But the Ducks also squandered their margin for error immediately. They still have contests at USC and Ohio State, plus home games against Michigan and Washington. Who's to say UCLA or Nebraska won't challenge Oregon, either?

Perhaps we will remember Week 2 merely as the unfortunate detour in a successful year for Oregon. Right now, however, the vibes are terrible.

Impact Games in Week 3

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Houston at Texas Tech

Texas Tech should be thanking Oregon and Ohio State for taking on the most scrutiny from Week 3. While OSU was busy blowing a 20-point lead, Texas Tech needed a late touchdown to escape at Oregon State. The competition level is set to rise further as a ranked Houston team heads to Lubbock on Friday night.

SMU at Louisville

Miami remains the ACC's team to beat. Saturday afternoon, though, one of these programs will solidify itself as the conference's No. 2 threat. SMU holds a 2-0 record, while Louisville is 1-1 but played well in a loss to Ole Miss.

LSU at Ole Miss

The featured game of the week is loaded with emotion. Lane Kiffin sparked Ole Miss, helping the program become nationally relevant again. But as Ole Miss vaulted into the Playoff, he bolted for LSU—and then Ole Miss reached the CFP semifinals without him. Yeah, really no storylines to speak of!