Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s 2026 College Football Top 10 — Week 2

Week 1 of the college football season showed me enough to feel at least half decent about my updated rankings. 

I have some questions about a few title favorites, and I’m sure the fans of those teams do, too.

Also, I feel better about Texas than I do Ohio State heading into their Week 2 showdown.

Rankings time.

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To Make CFP: +134
Title Odds: +2500

I have my questions about the Tide this season, but against overmatched ECU, Bama had little trouble. It was 38-10 at halftime and Keelon Russell accounted for 342 yards (86 rushing). Two conference games and a visit from Florida State await and that’s when we’ll continue to learn if this season will be a special one in Tuscaloosa.

To Make CFP: +160
Title Odds: +2800

We didn’t expect UTEP to do much and it didn’t. John Mateer was solid, and the defense just suffocated a totally outclassed opponent. After what we saw from Michigan’s offense on Saturday night, the OU defense has to be licking its chops. Last year, the Sooners limited the Wolverines to 13 points and Bryce Underwood was 9-for-24 passing for 142 yards. 

To Make CFP: -310
Title Odds: +950

IU was never seriously threatened, but the final score was a little deceiving, as the Hoosiers scored 21 fourth-quarter points. North Texas did as good a job as it could, controlling the ball for 37 minutes, but Turbo Richard and Charlie Becker made the big plays to keep IU at a comfortable distance despite an inconsistent running game. 

To Make CFP: -750
Title Odds: +610

We’re not expecting every team to come out and be at its best in its opener, but the Irish showed some cracks in the first half. Their TD came on a 13-yard drive after a muffed kickoff fumble recovery which should have been reversed by VAR and Wisconsin had some success on offense. Notre Dame cleaned a good bit of it up in the second half and pulled away, but I have some concerns about the offense following losing two great backs and its continued search for a game-breaker at WR. Good thing is the Irish have plenty of time to get there prior to the trip to BYU. 

To Make CFP: -300
Title Odds: +950

The Ducks came out looking like a team that might have heard how good it was and thought it was supposed to hammer Boise State. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. Oregon was sloppy and undisciplined, committing 10 penalties. There was a time when I honestly thought Boise was going to get the outright win, but Dante Moore provided a big play each time the Ducks needed an answer in the second half. Boise is certainly better than I and the oddsmakers gave it credit for, but Duck fans have to be slightly alarmed at that performance. 

To Make CFP: -125
Title Odds: +1400

I’m not sure the final score was indicative of how big a keister-beating this game was. First downs were 38-8. Clemson was 1 for 13 on third down. Total yards were 644-145. The teams looked like they were playing different sports. Clemson might prove to be a very bad team, but what LSU did to a Power 4 opponent has to be respected this week, as many other teams hammered G6 teams. 

To Make CFP: -290
Title Odds: +720

So much for Georgia never covering a big number. This was as ugly as it should have been. Georgia played 120 guys as well, so that was a nice touch for so many guys to get into a real game. That game on Sept. 26 vs Oklahoma is looking mighty juicy.

To Make CFP: -500
Title Odds: +550

The Buckeyes did what they should have done as a 50-point favorite. Jeremiah Smith answered Malachi Toney’s insane effort Friday with a big game of his own, and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin looked as if he will have a huge role in the offense. Unlike last year, both Ohio State and Texas have a game under their belts before the showdown, and it is not one of the starting QBs’ first career starts. The eyes of the college football world will indeed be on Austin come Saturday night.  

To Make CFP: -430
Title Odds: +900

Watching that game Friday night reminded me of watching the 2001 Canes open at Penn State. Miami got shafted by the BCS in 2000, returned the majority of the team in 2001, went to State College and put together a performance that basically said, “Last year we got screwed, and everyone will pay this year.” The effort at Stanford told me Miami wants to leave no doubt this time aroud. There might be a doubt though as to who will be the top Heisman candidate from Miami — QB Darian Mensah or WR Malachi Toney. 

To Make CFP: -230
Title Odds: +650

The Longhorns did anything they wanted offensively against outgunned Texas State. Arch Manning looks like he’ll have quite the enjoyable experience with Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman at wide receiver. I debated whether I should put Texas here, but said why not? If the Longhorns beat Ohio State in Week 2, they will go to No. 1 anyway.