Week 2 highlights
All eyes were on the Ole Miss–LSU matchup on Saturday night. Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford made it the season's biggest and most closely followed game so far, and the attention was well deserved. The Rebels struck first and got off to a dominant start, taking a 24–7 lead into halftime.
The Tigers, however, stormed back in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points to get back into the game. But when it mattered most, Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took over and orchestrated a 75-yard touchdown drive. Ole Miss was also forced to overcome the absence of Kewan Lacy, its star running back, who left the game with a shoulder injury. The Rebels ultimately outlasted the Tigers 32–27 and moved up to No. 4 in the country.
“This one meant a lot more than other games — the coaches that were here, now at LSU, some players as well,” Chambliss said. “I wanted this one bad, and our team did, too.”
“I’m glad it’s over. This was an emotional game for a lot of reasons,” Kiffin said. “A lot of life-changing experiences here. A lot of really good people that helped me through some really hard times. Sometimes I don't act like it, but I'm a human, too,” Kiffin added. “Congrats to those guys. They played really well. They deserved to win.”
Florida took care of Auburn on the road in a high-scoring matchup. Gators’ running back Jadan Baugh ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns to help Florida move to 3-0 and win its first SEC game of the year. Florida has improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2019.
No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs beat Arkansas 45-17, establishing themselves as a CFP contender.
The Kentucky Wildcats pulled off probably the biggest upset of the weekend, beating No. 9 Texas A&M 31-21 on the road. Kentucky scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter, building a large cushion and never letting go, despite the Aggies’ last-minute attack.
“This was a giant victory for us,” said rookie head coach Will Stein.
Quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 14 of 18 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while running back CJ Baxter carried the ball 19 times for 87 yards. With less than 12 minutes remaining, Texas A&M scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 28–14. But the Wildcats stopped the Aggies on three consecutive possessions, refusing to let them build more momentum. Kentucky then buried a 52-yard field goal to extend its lead and seal the victory.
SMU squared off against Louisville in an ACC clash. The Mustangs trailed 10–7 after the first quarter but scored 10 points in the second to take a 17–10 lead into halftime. The second half, however, belonged to the Cardinals, who overwhelmed SMU with their running game.
Running back Keyjuan Brown recorded a career-high 163 and propelled Louisville to a 41-31 victory and first ACC win.
Don’t blink - the schedule stays appealing and entertaining. So, what games are worth watching in Week 4?
#1 Texas @ #14 Tennessee
The nation’s top team is back in action against another ranked opponent after facing UTSA last Saturday. The Longhorns will travel to Knoxville for their first SEC road test, and it won’t be an easy one.
Texas edged Ohio State after mounting a massive comeback, overcoming a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull off an unexpected victory. The stellar closing-period performance was impressive, but now the Longhorns must prove they can be consistent and dictate the tempo from start to finish.
Texas enters as the road favorite, while Tennessee will play in front of a sold-out Neyland Stadium with ESPN’s College GameDay in town.
In the SEC, every game matters and can have major implications for the conference title race. Texas will play on the road for the first time, and Knoxville is one of the toughest environments in college football.
Tennessee wants to establish the run and has plenty of weapons to do so, led by DeSean Bishop and Daune Morris. Quarterback Faizon Brandon is also a dangerous dual threat who can make plays with his legs.
Tennessee's offensive line has established a strong ground attack, allowing Tennessee to maximize its rushing potential. Offensively, the Vols have been one of the most explosive teams in the country to start the season. Tennessee is averaging 510.3 yards and 7.4 yards per play, while Brandon has thrown six touchdown passes without an interception.
But Texas boasts one of the top defenses in the country, and the Vols’ offensive line can’t afford to make mistakes. Through three games, the Longhorns are allowing just 12 points and 287.7 yards per game while holding opponents to 3.4 yards per rushing attempt. The unit showed its toughness against Ohio State, limiting the Buckeyes' running game.
A week later, the defense dominated UTSA, allowing just 143 total yards and forcing a turnover on the game's opening play. With elite edge rusher Colin Simmons leading the front, Texas has the defensive talent to challenge some of the best offenses in the SEC.
Focus point: Playing on the road will be tough, but Texas ultimately has a major advantage at the quarterback position. Arch Manning’s game still has room for improvement, but he has experience playing in big games and rivalries. Faizon Brandon is a freshman, and although he has shown the ability to run the ball, he can struggle when facing pressure. This will be his first SEC game against the No. 1 team in the country, and that lack of big-stage experience could be the difference-maker. Still, the game will most likely be much closer than the rankings suggest.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
#20 Oregon @ #12 USC Trojans
So far, it has been a tough year for Oregon. The Ducks opened the season as the preseason No. 2 team in the country but have struggled to live up to expectations. After surviving a scare against Boise State in Week 1, the unranked Oklahoma State Cowboys stunned Oregon 39–31. Now, the Ducks face an undefeated and talented USC team on the road.
Can Oregon restore its reputation and pull off an upset at the Coliseum?
This is the first Big Ten game of the season for both teams, and both programs have their sights set on the conference title. The loser will immediately fall behind in the conference race. Oregon’s biggest strength is quarterback Dante Moore, who has thrown for 894 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
But he struggled against Oklahoma State, completing only 14 out of 29 passes and totaling 191 yards. Oregon will need him at his best to win on the road.
USC’s offense has been electric. The Trojans scored at least 39 points in every game this season so far. They rank 10th in the nation in passing efficiency and 9th in passing yards per game. They are even more impressive on third downs - the Trojans rank second with a 69.4 third-down conversion.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been sensational, boasting a 75.7 % completion rate. USC also has plenty of weapons around Maiava. Running back King Miller has 338 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while four different receivers have at least 12 receptions. Oregon must always be on alert and have high awareness on every possession.
Focus point: Most likely, fans will witness an epic quarterback battle. And it doesn’t end with Moore and Maiava - the Ducks also have Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola, and if he enters the game, Oregon won’t get weaker. Last season, Raiola threw for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns and had a 72.4 % completion rate. With so many talented quarterbacks and playmakers on both sides, the difference could come down to who makes the biggest plays when the game is on the line.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia
After the Cowboys’ disappointing loss to Tulsa in Week 1, the team has been on a roll. Oklahoma State beat Oregon before shutting down Murray State. Things finally seem to have clicked in Stillwater under new head coach Eric Morris, who took over a struggling team that went 1–11 overall and 0–9 in conference play in 2025.
Now, the Cowboys will look to grab their first Big 12 victory in nearly three years after going winless in conference play for two consecutive seasons.
This year, the Cowboys have completely reinvented themselves after bringing in 91 newcomers, including 66 transfers. The overhaul has produced immediate results. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker has thrown for at least 200 yards in 18 consecutive games, giving the Cowboys a reliable passing attack.
The Cowboys rank sixth in the country in total offense at 528 yards per game. But it’s not just about offense - Oklahoma State also excels defensively, ranking first nationally in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert just 16.2% of the time, while ranking 26th nationally in total defense.
However, West Virginia isn’t to be overlooked. The Mountaineers are 3-0 and off to a great start. They have already grabbed one conference win by beating the Virginia Cavaliers. The program has been one of the early surprises of the season.
Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. proved to be a dual threat and has been putting lots of pressure on opposing defenses. Also, the Mountaineers play at home, and it could provide a significant advantage as the program promotes its annual Gold Rush game.
Focus point: Yes, it is a conference game. Yes, it carries major importance. But there is more at stake than initially meets the eye. Oklahoma State has never lost to West Virginia in Morgantown since the Mountaineers joined the Big 12. The Cowboys have won five straight road games against West Virginia, including a 48–34 victory in their most recent trip in 2023. That makes Saturday’s matchup particularly interesting, as West Virginia will look to end its home, unpleasant losing streak against Oklahoma State.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia
G6 showdown: Boise State vs. Western Michigan
This is an intriguing, critical Group-of-Six matchup with playoff implications. Both teams enter the contest 2-1. In Week 1, Boise State nearly upset Oregon, while Western Michigan lost to Michigan 14–13 officially but, unofficially, won in the eyes of America.
The battle of the Broncos is important because the winner will strengthen its case for an at-large CFP bid.
Boise State's biggest strength is its running game. The Broncos are averaging 258.3 rushing yards per game, 15th nationally, while averaging 34.3 points per game. Quarterback play has been more inconsistent, however, and the defense has struggled badly against the pass, allowing 335 passing yards per game.
Western Michigan will be a tough challenge. They are a physical, run-first team led by quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley. Lowry rushed for 963 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, while Buckley enters his senior year with more than 2,700 career rushing yards. Western Michigan’s explosive and dynamic style could be a problem for Boise State.
The matchup could ultimately come down to whether Western Michigan can control the clock and keep Boise State's explosive rushing attack off the field. The Broncos also return three starters in the secondary, including cornerback Javarius Smith and safety Joshua Franklin, which could be important against Boise State's passing game. This could be a nail-biting contest that might come down to the last possession.
Focus point: Offensively, both teams are sharp and exciting. The true difference-maker might be defense. When Boise State played FCS South Dakota in Week 3, the Coyotes stayed in the game until the Broncos scored a touchdown and then stopped South Dakota on downs. Head coach Spencer Danielson said the Broncos have to address some defensive issues, including creating more pressure on the quarterback. If Boise State wants to beat Western Michigan, its defense must be at its best.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan