Week two in college football has delivered unexpected outcomes that have already impacted the College Football Playoff landscape. The Oregon Ducks, initially anticipated to challenge for a Big Ten Championship against the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers, narrowly avoided defeat by Boise State and suffered a loss to Oklahoma State. Oklahoma Sooners faced a setback, scoring merely 10 points in a road loss to Michigan.
Meanwhile, after being underestimated following their win over Western Michigan, Michigan is now back in the playoff conversation after defeating a highly ranked SEC team. The Texas Longhorns also made headlines with their victory over Ohio State, enhancing their playoff prospects significantly.
Note: This page may have affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. FOX News might receive compensation if you sign up or place a bet. This article is created independently of the FOX newsroom. Arch Manning No. 16 of the Texas Longhorns is pictured warming up before the game against Ohio State at Texas Memorial Stadium on September 12, 2026. (Getty Images)
The recent Associated Press Top 25 Poll showcases the current chaos, highlighting the imperfections in judging wins and losses solely based on strength. The list includes:
- Texas Longhorns
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Miami Hurricanes
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- LSU Tigers
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- BYU Cougars
- USC Trojans
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Tennessee Volunteers
- SMU Mustangs
- Utah Utes
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Michigan Wolverines
- Missouri Tigers
- Oregon Ducks
- Houston Cougars
- Louisville Cardinals
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Virginia Cavaliers
Winning and losing remain crucial, even when considering the strength of the schedule. After their loss to Michigan, Oklahoma dropped 13 spots despite facing a notable opponent. In contrast, BYU advanced four positions after a win against Arizona. Indiana and Miami also climbed the rankings after defeating less competitive teams.
Ohio State saw a significant drop after narrowly losing to Texas. Despite scheduling a formidable opponent, they fell five spots. According to ESPN’s SP+, the game was virtually even, with Texas having a 50.2% win expectancy and Ohio State 49.8%, yet the Buckeyes still dropped in rankings.
Oregon has an opportunity to reclaim its position. Their schedule includes games against notable teams like USC, Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington. If they don’t elevate their performance soon, falling out of the top 25 by September’s end is likely.
Ian Miller is a writer at OutKick.
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