playESPNMultiple AuthorsSep 14, 2026, 07:00 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsWhat did we learn in Week 2 of the 2026 college football season?For starters, Texas has some serious grit. In erasing a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat top-ranked Ohio State, the Longhorns proved that they not only have a quarterback, a run game and a defense capable of winning big games, but also the mettle to do it ugly. “It wasn’t very pretty, but we found a way to win,” quarterback Arch Manning said after Texas’ 24-23 comeback win. “That’s what good teams do.”Ditto for Michigan, which shed the drama of the Wolverines’ Week 1 escape against Western Michigan, stifled Oklahoma’s John Mateer and downed No. 11 Oklahoma behind a career-high 18 carries and a team-best 87 rushing yards from quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Oklahoma State also showed plenty of resolve, bouncing back from a season-opening loss to Tulsa in time to trip up No. 6 Oregon in Stillwater.On the flip side, we learned that the Buckeyes and Ducks, a pair of preseason Big Ten and national title favorites, still have work to do. Same goes for the offenses at Oklahoma and Washington, who saw familiar issues from a year ago return, respectively, in a deflating, early-season road loss for the Sooners and the Huskies’ narrow home win over Utah State.No such drama bubbled for Big Ten and SEC contenders including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and USC. Meanwhile, several others are quietly readying to make some noise, from a Tennessee team powered by freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon to traditional powers with new leadership this fall between Florida with new head coach Jon Sumrall and Matt Campbell-led Penn State.There’s plenty more left for us to find out about the nation’s top programs this fall. But each week paints a clearer picture of the national landscape.
Here’s what our ESPN college football experts learned in Week 2. — Eli Lederman1. Texas LonghornsPrevious ranking: 3The Longhorns ascended to No. 1 this week after their first win against an AP No. 1 since beating Oklahoma in 2008. The big news was the steady climb back from a self-inflicted hole, rallying from 20 points down to shock No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 with three steady drives. But the best news was that it was Texas’ running game that was able to sustain those.
Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, the Longhorns’ two offseason additions, combined for 31 carries and 128 yards (59 of which came in the fourth quarter), with Smothers adding two 1-yard touchdowns on the game’s final two drives. Arch Manning added seven carries for 38 yards, not counting sacks. Will Muschamp’s defense struggled in the first half, but Steve Sarkisian said man coverage by the secondary in the second half allowed the Longhorns to get more pressure on Julian Sayin and stop the Buckeyes’ running game. The adjustments made the difference as the offense kept the ball moving. — Dave Wilson 2.
Notre Dame Fighting IrishPrevious ranking: 2It’s hard to find fault with a 52-0 win, so perhaps we learned nothing of impact about Notre Dame. But after the Irish rushed for only 111 yards — and 3.5 per carry — in the opener against Wisconsin, it would’ve been nice to see Notre Dame impose its will on the ground. Instead, the Irish mustered only 78 yards on 22 carries through three quarters before the game turned into a blowout, and still finished averaging just 3.7 per rush. It might be nothing to worry about in the big picture, and the schedule accommodates more runway to get things figured out, but replacing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price might not be as easy as Irish fans hoped. — David Hale3.
Miami HurricanesPrevious ranking: 5We learned after Miami beat Florida A&M 77-7 that starting cornerback Xavier Lucas would sit out about a month because of an undisclosed injury, leaving the Hurricanes without both of their starting cornerbacks. OJ Frederique is expected to sit out even more time than Lucas because of a shoulder injury he sustained in the opener against Stanford. Key reserve Ja’Boree Antoine is also out for a while. We saw Miami shift some of its defensive backs in the blowout win over the Rattlers, with safety Bryce Fitzgerald getting the start at corner opposite veteran Damari Brown.
Freshman JJ Dunnigan started at safety. Miami was able to play a host of young players, including Camdin Portis, Brody Jennings, Chris Ewald Jr. and Jaelen Waters, to get them experience as it begins ACC play Friday night against Wake Forest. — Andrea Adelson 4. Georgia BulldogsPrevious ranking: 4Georgia’s offense was plagued by slow starts during much of the 2025 season, but that hasn’t been the case so far in 2026. In Georgia’s season opener against FCS opponent Tennessee State, it scored touchdowns on each of its first five possessions in a 63-3 win.
The Bulldogs were even better in their 70-20 rout of Western Kentucky on Saturday, reaching the end zone on each of their first seven possessions. The Hilltoppers didn’t stop the Bulldogs until backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi lost a fumble at the UGA 15 with 1:18 to play in the first half. Though it came against inferior competition, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton has been even more efficient in his second season as the starter, completing 28 of 32 passes for 436 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. He was pulled before halftime in both games. — Mark Schlabach 5.
LSU TigersPrevious ranking: 7The Tigers enter the Lane Kiffin reunion/revenge game at Ole Miss with the knowledge that they can beat just about anyone when they’re clicking, while also understanding they will need to be sharper than they were against Louisiana Tech. LSU led just 10-7 at halftime after committing four turnovers in the second quarter, the third of which Louisiana Tech returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Sam Leavitt called the game a “big reality check” and recognizes he must be better against an Ole Miss defense susceptible against the pass. Leavitt’s five rushing touchdowns in his first two LSU games match his total from each of the previous two seasons at Arizona State.
The Tigers’ defense continues to be stifling but will be tested by an offensive backfield Kiffin knows well in Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy. LSU ranks third nationally in fewest yards per play allowed (2.8). — Adam Rittenberg 6. Ohio State BuckeyesPrevious ranking: 1The Buckeyes have the best playmaker in the country in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who through two games has 315 receiving yards. But to truly contend for a national championship, Ohio State is going to need someone else at wide receiver to step up.
The rest of the Buckeyes receiving corps combined for two receptions in the 24-23 loss to Texas. The Longhorns took away Smith in the fourth quarter, and Ohio State couldn’t make them pay. Five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. didn’t factor into the game plan, but he might need to later in the year if veteran Brandon Inniss and transfer starter Devin McCuin can’t offer more production. The Buckeyes have enjoyed a wealth of talent at the position over the years.
Smith has played with two NFL first-round draft picks in Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Smith is incredible. He’s going to need more help than what he got in Austin. — Jake Trotter7. Indiana HoosiersPrevious ranking: 6A Week 2 home game against Howard isn’t going to provide many definitive lessons, but Indiana continued its efficient offensive start, scoring touchdowns on seven of its first eight possessions.
The Hoosiers received big performances from running backs Lee Beebe Jr., who sat out most of last season because of a knee injury, and Boston College transfer Turbo Richard, as they combined for 225 rushing yards on 27 carries. Wide receiver Charlie Becker continued his strong start with three touchdowns on three catches, and an Indiana defense that struggled for stretches against North Texas held Howard to no points, 57 yards and four first downs. — Rittenberg8. Texas A&M AggiesP
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