College football overreactions after Week 2: Oregon to miss the CFP

College football overreactions after Week 2: Oregon to miss the CFP

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College football overreactions after Week 2: Oregon to miss the CFP

There was a lot to learn from Week 2 of the college football season. Texas claimed the No. 1 ranking in the latest AP Top 25 poll after a thrilling win over Ohio State, and the Michigan Wolverines re-entered the AP Top 25 poll after a defensive showdown with Oklahoma.

While both the Longhorns and Wolverines impressed, the Oregon Ducks took a major hit after falling to Oklahoma State. There appears to be real issues in Eugene and we dive into those for Week 2 overreactions.

MORE: College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 3

Texas is now the team to beat

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks to throw over Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) during the

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks to throw over Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) during the NCAA football game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. Texas won 24-23. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It appeared that Steve Sarkisian was going to suffer another tough defeat at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Sarkisian’s offense couldn’t do much right in the beginning of the game — little fault of Arch Manning. But Ohio State’s Ryan Day opted to play more conservative in the fourth quarter and the tide changed.

Texas would score 21 points in the final 15 minutes to win the game, 24-23, and the Longhorns are now the top-ranked team in the country. Manning was superb, throwing for 195 yards, one TD, and one INT that was 100% not his fault.

Now that Texas got past its OSU problem, Manning and the Longhorns are the real deal. There might still be 10 more games to be played, but Texas is the new team to beat.

Oregon won’t make the College Football Playoff

Remember Penn State in 2025? A team that returned most of its players and was supposed to be a top-five team all year long? Well, that could be the Oregon Ducks this season.

Despite returning almost every defender, along with Dante Moore at QB, the Ducks are a far cry from what they are supposed to be. Oregon barely escaped Boise State last weekend, and in Week 2, the Ducks suffered an embarrassing loss to Oklahoma State, 39-21.

The Cowboys won one game last season and lost to Tulsa in Week 1, but they were too much offensively for Oregon. Dan Lanning has some questions to answer, and as of now, this team is nowhere near a College Football Playoff team.

Nobody is talking about the No. 2 rated team

NCAA Football: Western Kentucky at Georgia

Sep 12, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) looks downfield against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, and Indiana are all being talked about more than the Georgia Bulldogs, who are quietly the No. 2 team in the nation. Georgia has put up a whopping 133 points in its first two games this season, despite playing Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.

The Bulldogs are doing what a top team should and wiping the floor with lower competition. QB Gunner Stockton has been superb, passing for 436 yards and eight TDs this season.

Georgia has another good defense and an offense that can score points. The Bulldogs is a team that should be talked about way more than they are.

Charlie Becker in the same conversation with Malachi Toney, Jeremiah Smith

Indiana might have lost Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarrat, but the Hoosiers returned Charlie Becker. Despite the Hoosiers putting up 107 points in two games, Josh Hoover has only thrown the football 27 times. IU is relying on its run game in the early goings.

However, Becker is a clear touchdown threat. He might only have seven receptions this season, which leads the team, but he also has five touchdowns, which is tied for first in the nation.

Becker is Hoover’s go-to player and his yardage stats will go up when IU stats to air the ball out more.

Michigan finally learned how to use Bryce Underwood

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) runs against Oklahoma during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) runs against Oklahoma during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Bryce Underwood’s job wasn’t ‘infinite’ following the Wolverines’ 13-12 win over Western Michigan, but Underwood came to play in Week 2 against Oklahoma. Michigan took down the Sooners 17-10 and OC Jason Beck properly used the dual-threat QB.

Underwood ran the football 18 times for 87 yards and one TD. He led both Michigan and Oklahoma on the ground, and even his passing was improved. The Wolverines allowed him to get comfortable and gave him plenty of run-pass options.

Last season, Sherrone Moore refused to let Underwood use his legs, but that has changed, and that’s how Underwood benefits. Michigan’s offense should only improve with this logic.

Texas Tech won’t repeat in the Big 12

Texas Tech is 2-0 and after a less-than-thrilling win over Abilene Christian in Week 1, the Red Raiders needed some late magic to take down Oregon State, 35-24, in Week 2.

Will Hammond is playing just fine at QB, but the Red Raiders’ defense isn’t playing up to standard. There are several Big 12 teams that can put up points and can contend with Texas Tech. Unless Joey McGuire’s ball team improves on that side of the ball, this team won’t win the Big 12 for the second year in a row.

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