College Football Week 2: Upsets, Comebacks, and Ranking Shake-ups

Week 2 of the college football season was electrifying, with upsets, dramatic comebacks, and nail-biting finishes. The results should shake up the AP Poll, sending some teams higher while pushing others down. From Texas’ historic comeback against Ohio State to Montana State’s continued dominance, here are the biggest moments and what they could mean.

Major Upsets and Historic Comebacks

Week 2 brought several major upsets that are bound to stir the AP Poll. The biggest was No. 4 Texas overcoming a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23. It was Texas’ largest comeback win since 2007 and ended Ohio State’s 197-0 record when holding a 20-point fourth-quarter lead.

Another significant upset came when Oklahoma State defeated No. 6 Oregon 39-31. Oregon could fall out of the rankings after this loss, especially following its close win over Boise State. Voters tend to punish narrow victories against unranked teams, too.

Implications for the AP Poll

These upsets could have a major impact on the rankings. No. 1 Ohio State is expected to drop, but the one-point margin may help the Buckeyes stay in the top five. Meanwhile, No. 4 Texas could move into the top spot after receiving two first-place votes last week.

No. 6 Oregon is in danger of going unranked after losing to Oklahoma State. No. 11 Oklahoma could also fall below Michigan, which defeated the Sooners head-to-head this week. Michigan remains undefeated on paper and should return to the rankings, potentially ahead of Oklahoma.

Teams on the Rise

Several teams could climb after strong showings this week. Boise State, the first team left out of the rankings last week, may make its 2026 AP Poll debut after defeating Memphis. The Broncos did lose to Oregon head-to-head, but their overall performance could still earn them a spot.

In the FCS, Montana State continues to roll. The Bobcats secured their 17th straight win by defeating FBS opponent Nevada 20-7. That performance highlights their strength and could matter when future rankings and matchups take shape.

Close Calls and Narrow Escapes

Several ranked teams avoided potential upsets. No. 14 Southern California and No. 20 Utah both stayed undefeated, with USC beating Louisiana-Lafayette 49-30 and Utah topping Arkansas 43-10. Clemson also held off Georgia Southern, winning 22-7.

Not every ranked team was as fortunate. No. 11 Oklahoma lost to Michigan, while No. 13 Texas Tech and No. 15 BYU could slide despite winning. Both teams were locked in close games deep into the fourth quarter.

Noteworthy Performances

Several individual performances stood out this week. Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard completed 20 of 23 passes for 290 yards and six touchdowns. He also added 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns in an elite performance.

Julian Lewis of Colorado also delivered, throwing for 366 yards and four touchdowns as his team opened 2-0 for the first time since 2023. Defending champion Indiana showed its defensive strength by allowing only 13 rushing yards and 44 passing yards in a 55-0 win over Howard.

Games to Watch

Looking ahead, several games could shape the rest of the season. The matchup between Memphis of the American and Boise State of the Pac-12 was especially important because of the new CFP rule granting an automatic bid to the highest-ranked team from certain conferences. Memphis led Boise State 20-17 at halftime, making this one worth watching closely.

Other notable games included San Jose State surviving an upset attempt from FCS opponent Cal Poly, 30-20. Iowa also reclaimed the Cy-Hawk Trophy with a 16-13 win over Iowa State, thanks to a go-ahead 42-yard field goal with 15 seconds left.

Conclusion

Week 2 of the college football season brought plenty of excitement, drama, and unexpected results. The upsets and close calls should shake up the AP Poll rankings, making the next few weeks even more compelling. As teams keep battling on the field, fans can expect more surprises and standout performances. For detailed updates and live scores, visit the NCAA’s live updates page.

Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and coverage as the season progresses. The college football landscape is always changing, and Week 2 has set the stage for an unforgettable season.