The biggest game of Week 2 is undoubtedly No. 1 Ohio State’s matchup against No. 4 Texas at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, but it isn’t the only one worth watching.
Another huge matchup between the Big Ten and the SEC will likely have at least some attention from Buckeye and Longhorn fans, as their respective rivals Michigan and Oklahoma will face off at Noon at the Big House.
Here are the top games this week.
No. 11 Oklahoma vs. Michigan (Noon, FOX): If a team ever needed a bounce-back performance after a win, it may be Michigan. Despite being a nearly four-touchdown favorite in Week 1, Michigan needed a controversial call to go its way and a Hail Mary to defeat Western Michigan 13-12.
Former five-star sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood had a performance to forget against the Broncos. The Wolverines’ quarterback completed just 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Michigan’s running game didn’t do him many favors either. Wolverine running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter combined to run for just 59 yards on 16 carries.
The Wolverines’ defense was a little bit better. That unit kept Western Michigan out of the end zone the whole game and only allowed 221 yards of total offense. Still, Michigan will have to play much better to have any shot of defeating Oklahoma.
In their first game of the season, the Sooners looked like a potential national championship contender, thrashing UTEP 51-0. In the win, fifth-year quarterback John Mateer threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns while completing 11 of 17 passes.
It was the Sooners’ defense, which gave up only 198 total yards and forced a pair of turnovers, that shined the brightest against UTEP.
That unit will hope to have a similarly dominant performance against Michigan.
No. 12 Alabama vs. Kentucky (3:30 p.m., ABC): Last year, when Alabama went on the road to face a Power Four team it did not go well. The Crimson Tide’s season-opening 31-17 defeat to Florida State in 2025 wasn’t enough to hold them out of the College Football Playoffs, but it may put some doubt into the minds of the fanbase about their team’s chances on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide looked much better in this year’s season-opener. Alabama defeated Eastern Carolina 48-10 last week behind an impressive five-catch 130-yard performance from star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.
The Crimson Tide run game was also effective. First-year starting quarterback Keelon Russell led the way with 13 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide ran for 227 yards and five touchdowns as a team.
Kentucky was similarly dominant in its first game. The Wildcats dismantled FCS foe Youngstown State 45-13. Senior quarterback Kenny Minchey is the one that first-year head coach Will Stein trusts to lead his offense. He showed why that’s the case against the Penguins when he threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns while completing 18 of 27 passes.
The Wildcats showed some vulnerabilities against the Penguins’ passing attack. Kentucky gave up 246 passing yards in the win. The Wildcats will need to improve in that regard if they want to upset Alabama.
Iowa State vs. No. 21 Iowa (7:30 p.m., NBC): The rivalry between Iowa and Iowa State has produced multiple classic finishes over the last few years. Casual college football fans will hope that trend continues even though former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is now at Penn State.
Campbell was replaced by former Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers, who got the Cyclones out to a good start in Week 1. Iowa State comfortably defeated Southeast Missouri State 38-10, despite going for just 303 total yards of offense. The Cyclones’ defense fueled the win by forcing three turnovers and holding the Redhawks to just 209 yards. Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor was one of the bigger stars on offense. He threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 8 of 16 passing and had 32 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
He will face a brutal test on Saturday. Iowa’s defense has been elite throughout head coach Kirk Ferentz’s tenure, and it looks as though that will continue this year. In a 40-0 win over Northern Illinois last week, Iowa allowed only 120 total yards and forced a pair of turnovers.
As they often do, the Hawkeyes relied on their ground game to score points. They rushed for 289 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Senior running back Kamari Moulton led the way with 11 carries for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
Other games to watch:
Arizona State vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (Noon, ABC)
No. 6 Oregon vs. Oklahoma State (Noon, ESPN)
Wake Forest vs. Purdue (Noon, FS1)
Arizona vs. No. 15 BYU (3:30 p.m., Fox)
Mississippi State vs. Minnesota (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Duke vs. Illinois (3:30 p.m., FS1)
No. 18 Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech (7:00 p.m., ESPN)
