The 2026 college football season kicked off with Ohio State asserting its dominance, cruising to a 56-3 victory over Ball State that propelled the Buckeyes to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25.
Oregon, the preseason No. 2, fell four places to No. 5 after a tight 34-27 home loss to Boise State, a result underscored by sophomore quarterback Dante Moore’s 378-yard, three‑touchdown performance that kept the Ducks competitive despite the defeat.
Georgia claimed the No. 2 position following a 63-3 win over Tennessee State, while Notre Dame moved into the No. 3 slot after a 41-13 triumph over Wisconsin, even as the Irish surrendered 28 points in the second half.
Other notable outcomes included Ole Miss edging Louisville 41-38 on a last‑second field goal, and Lane Kiffin’s LSU squad dismantling Clemson 51-10, the largest margin of defeat in Dabo Swinney’s tenure.
Michigan, which entered the week ranked No. 16, dropped out of the top 25 after a controversial win over Western Michigan, leaving the Big Ten conference unsettled as the schedule intensifies.
Week 2 Schedule Highlights
The upcoming Week 2 slate features marquee matchups, most prominently Ohio State’s showdown with Texas in Austin and a clash between No. 11 Oklahoma and Michigan, games that could further reshape the national title picture.