College football entered week two of the 2026 season with two headline‑making upsets that will likely shape the national‑title conversation. In Austin, the Texas Longhorns rallied from a 20‑point hole to topple top‑ranked Ohio State, while in Stillwater, the Oklahoma State Cowboys stunned No. 6 Oregon, delivering a harsh early‑season blow to the Ducks’ championship aspirations.
Texas pulls off a historic comeback
Ohio State entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 23‑3 lead at DKR Stadium. The Buckeyes appeared poised for a routine victory, and many expected head coach Ryan Day to add another win to his résumé. Instead, the Longhorns’ quarterback Arch Manning orchestrated a methodical comeback. After a brief pause for the stadium’s speaker system to play “Don’t Stop Believing,” Manning led three sustained drives, each exceeding ten plays, that resulted in two touchdowns and a field goal.
“I had nightmares about that game,” Manning admitted after the win, reflecting on the pressure of facing the nation’s top team. The comeback not only shocked Ohio State fans who traveled to Austin but also energized the Texas fan base, which had feared an early‑season disappointment.
Oklahoma State ends Oregon’s early‑season surge
Across the state, Oklahoma State delivered its own surprise. The Cowboys, under first‑year head coach Eric Morris, defeated the Ducks 39‑31. Oregon had entered the game with high expectations, having been touted as a national‑title contender. The Ducks managed to score fourteen points off turnovers, but a lack of preparation and an “expensive roster” that could not translate into execution proved costly.
Dan Lanning, Oregon’s head coach, struggled to explain the loss, while Morris celebrated his biggest win to date. The victory marked a turnaround for Oklahoma State, which had previously lost 21 straight games to FBS opponents before last season’s win over Tulsa.
Implications for the season
Both upsets have immediate ramifications for the College Football Playoff picture. Texas’ win propels the Longhorns back into the conversation for a top‑four spot, while Ohio State’s first loss could jeopardize its bid for a national championship. Meanwhile, Oregon’s defeat drops its national‑title hopes and may force the Ducks to reassess their strategy moving forward.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the games underscore the unpredictable nature of this season’s schedule. Fans and analysts alike are reminded that early‑season rankings can shift dramatically, and that preparation, coaching adjustments, and player resilience remain critical factors.
Looking ahead
Next week’s slate includes several intriguing matchups: SMU versus Louisville, Houston versus Texas Tech, and a highly anticipated showdown in Oxford, Mississippi, as Lane Kiffin prepares to return to Ole Miss with the LSU Tigers. The excitement generated by the recent upsets suggests that the remainder of the season will continue to deliver compelling storylines for college‑football enthusiasts.
For Texas supporters, the comeback victory offers a hopeful narrative as the Longhorns aim to build momentum. Oklahoma State fans can celebrate a milestone win that validates Coach Morris’s early efforts. And Oregon supporters will be looking for answers as the Ducks seek to rebound from a setback that could define their season.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
