Buckeyes-Longhorns, Wolverines-Sooners, Hawkeyes-Cyclones Headline Week 2

Following a strong 17-2 start, Big Ten football enters Week 2 with a prime opportunity to showcase its strength. At the top of the board, No. 1 Ohio State takes a road trip to Texas, Michigan prepares for its own SEC opponent, and the Hawkeyes gear up for the state of Iowa’s favorite rivalry. 

Across the entire conference, Week 2 serves as a chance for teams to build chemistry and get into form before Big Ten play kicks off. 

Heavyweight collision: No. 1 Ohio State takes on No. 4 Texas 

Rarely does September deliver this much firepower: No. 1 Ohio State heads to Austin for a heavyweight battle with No. 4 Texas. Both programs carry national title aspirations, and the winner gains an early edge in the College Football Playoff race. 

When these teams met in the 2025 opener, Ohio State’s defense dictated a physical 14-7 win over then-top-ranked Texas. Back then, Julian Sayin and Arch Manning were newly minted starting quarterbacks; now, both are Heisman contenders. Sayin comes off a 3,610-yard, 32-touchdown campaign, while Manning overcame early growing pains to account for 3,163 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. 

The Buckeyes and Longhorns have equally lethal supporting casts. Sayin distributes to superstar wideout Jeremiah Smith with 1,000-yard sophomore running back Bo Jackson behind him. Manning benefits from an upgraded arsenal featuring receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman alongside dynamic back Hollywood Smothers — a trio that combined for four touchdowns in Texas’ 59-7 opening rout of Texas State. 

As is the case with many elite-level clashes, this one could be won in the trenches. Defensively, both rosters boast NFL-caliber units with top-tier edge rushers. Ohio State will rely on Kenyatta Jackson Jr. to pressure Manning, while Longhorn Colin Simmons will try to get to Sayin. We’ll see which line holds up on Saturday. 

For Ohio State, this road trip is the early-season measuring stick of its championship ambitions. Don’t miss the top-five clash on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. 

Maize Out at the Big House: Michigan Hosts No. 11 Oklahoma  

Kyle Whittingham leads the Wolverines into a "Maize Out" at the Big House against No. 11 Oklahoma, where Michigan’s offensive outcome will rest on sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood. Fresh off a two-touchdown season debut, Underwood meets an elite Oklahoma scoring defense that finished seventh nationally at 15.5 points per game in 2025 and shut out UTEP in the 2026 opener. He’ll look to connect again with JJ Buchanan (126 yards vs. Western Michigan) and get elevated protection from his offensive line to find a way through Sooners’ territory. 

After limiting the Broncos to 221 total yards, the Wolverines defense now faces a stiffer test in Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Whether it’s the defensive front with John Henry Daley or the secondary with Rod Moore Jr., Jyaire Hill and Smith Snowden, Michigan's defense will need to rely on its veterans to leave with the win. Watch this one on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on FOX. 

Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy: No. 21 Iowa Hosts Iowa State 

Coming off a decisive 40-0 opening win, No. 21 Iowa shifts its focus to a rival. The Hawkeyes host Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium in front of a raucous sellout crowd for the annual Cy-Hawk showdown. 

Though Iowa holds a 7-3 edge over the last decade, the recent momentum is in Ames. Having lost two straight in the series, the Hawkeyes are searching for their first home win over the Cyclones since 2018. 

To bring bragging rights back to Iowa City, pass rushers Iose Epenesa, Kenneth Merrieweather and the Hawkeyes will need to pressure Cyclones quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who produced four touchdowns in his Iowa State debut. Offensively, Kirk Ferentz plans to deploy both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski at quarterback. Whichever signal-caller takes the snaps will lean heavily on running back Kamari Moulton — coming off a 183-yard, two-touchdown opener — and receiver Tony Diaz to generate explosive plays. 

We’ll have a playoff-like atmosphere in Iowa City. See it yourself on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. 

An emotional night in Boston 

There’s a slew of games across the country this weekend, including Rutgers’ East Coast showdown with Boston College on ESPN2 Friday night. The Scarlet Knights will wear  custom “Never Forget” gear  to honor their 37 fallen alumni on the 25^th anniversary of 9/11, while the Eagles will sport their iconic Red Bandanna uniforms in memory of Welles Crowther.  

Check out the complete weekend slate  here.