Big Ten slips to 3-6 vs Power-4 foes as quarterbacks shine

Big Ten slips to 3-6 vs Power-4 foes as quarterbacks shine

The Big Ten posted a 3-6 record against Power-4 opponents in Week 2, with standout performances by Drew Mestemaker, Arch Manning and other players, the New York Times reported. Week 1 had featured a flurry of high-scoring quarterback debuts and mixed results for new head coaches, as Auburn survived a late Baylor rally, Oregon held off Boise State and Texas rolled past Texas State. Additional early-season highlights included LSU’s dominant win over Clemson, Michigan’s clock-controversy victory and several upsets such as UMass beating Rutgers.

Actors

Auburn Tigers Baylor Bears Oregon Ducks Boise State Broncos Texas Longhorns Texas State Bobcats Tennessee Volunteers Furman Paladins Pitt Panthers Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Alabama Crimson Tide East Carolina Pirates Indiana Hoosiers North Texas Mean Green Ohio State Buckeyes Ball State Cardinals Nebraska Cornhuskers Ohio Bobcats Byrum Brown DJ Lagway Dakorien Moore Arch Manning Cam Coleman Hollywood Smothers Ryan Wingo Faizon Brandon Mason Heintschel Keelon Russell Legend Bey Jamal Rule Hank Brown Jeremy Hecklinski

Locations

Auburn, Alabama, United States Waco, Texas, United States Eugene, Oregon, United States Boise, Idaho, United States Austin, Texas, United States San Marcos, Texas, United States Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Greenville, South Carolina, United States Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Oxford, Ohio, United States Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States Greenville, North Carolina, United States Bloomington, Indiana, United States Denton, Texas, United States Columbus, Ohio, United States Muncie, Indiana, United States Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Athens, Ohio, United States

Articles

September 13, 2026
3 total
Big Ten falters in nonconference play as individual performances draw attention in Week 2
Big Ten falters in nonconference play as individual performances draw attention in Week 2

The New York Times • 13 Sep 11:01

The Big Ten recorded a 3-6 record against Power-4 opponents, while standout performances by players such as Drew Mestemaker and Arch Manning highlighted the week’s action.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
Texas rallies to defeat Ohio State while Big Ten endures nonconference setbacks
Texas rallies to defeat Ohio State while Big Ten endures nonconference setbacks

USA Today • 13 Sep 09:08

Texas erased a 20-point deficit to beat top-ranked Ohio State, bolstering the SEC’s standing, as the Big Ten posted a 2-5 record in Week 2 nonconference games.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Oklahoma State Upset Oregon as Texas Beats Ohio State in Week 2
Oklahoma State Upset Oregon as Texas Beats Ohio State in Week 2

CBS Sports • 13 Sep 04:42

Oklahoma State ended a 21-game FBS losing streak by defeating No. 6 Oregon, while Texas rallied to topple No. 1 Ohio State, highlighting a mixed week for the Big Ten.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center
September 12, 2026
1 total
Oklahoma State Upsets Oregon as Week 2 College Football Action Unfolds
Oklahoma State Upsets Oregon as Week 2 College Football Action Unfolds

cbssports.com • 12 Sep 20:10

Oklahoma State defeated No. 6 Oregon 39-31, while Alabama trailed Kentucky at halftime and Texas A&M beat Arizona State, highlighting several upsets and close contests in Week 2.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
September 08, 2026
1 total
First-Year College Football Coaches Show Mixed Results in Opening Week
First-Year College Football Coaches Show Mixed Results in Opening Week

Sports Illustrated • 08 Sep 20:07

Several new head coaches in college football posted wins, while others suffered defeats in their debut games, highlighting a varied start to the season.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
September 07, 2026
1 total
Week 1 college football: Michigan win amid controversy, Clemson struggles
Week 1 college football: Michigan win amid controversy, Clemson struggles

NBC Sports • 07 Sep 04:02

Week 1 featured a disputed Hail Mary victory for Michigan and a poor performance by Clemson, raising questions about officiating and coaching stability.

Credibility 45% Manip. 35% Center
September 06, 2026
4 total
Week 1 College Football: LSU dominates, Michigan wins on clock controversy, and several upsets shake the slate
Week 1 College Football: LSU dominates, Michigan wins on clock controversy, and several upsets shake the slate

The New York Times • 06 Sep 21:38

Lane Kiffin's LSU routed Clemson, a clock adjustment helped Michigan defeat Western Michigan, and Oklahoma State suffered a heavy loss after a massive roster overhaul, while several Heisman candidates posted strong opening performances.

Credibility 72% Manip. 30% Center
Week One Upsets Reshape College Football Playoff Outlook
Week One Upsets Reshape College Football Playoff Outlook

foxnews.com • 06 Sep 21:26

Early results in the 2026 season saw Ohio State dominate, LSU dominate Clemson, and surprising struggles for Michigan and Oregon, altering early playoff projections.

Credibility 45% Manip. 32% Center
Week 1 college football highlights: standout receivers, surprising upsets and early setbacks
Week 1 college football highlights: standout receivers, surprising upsets and early setbacks

cbssports.com • 06 Sep 01:02

The opening week featured record-setting performances by wide receivers, an upset win by UMass over Rutgers, and disappointing starts for Oklahoma State and Oregon's defensive line.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Star quarterbacks dominate Week 1 as college football opens with high-scoring performances
Star quarterbacks dominate Week 1 as college football opens with high-scoring performances

Yahoo Sports • 06 Sep 01:00

Top quarterbacks posted impressive numbers in Week 1, leading their teams to large victories while many matchups featured lower-ranked opponents.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 05, 2026
1 total
Week 1 College Football: Auburn Edges Baylor, Oregon Holds Off Boise State, Texas Dominates Texas State
Week 1 College Football: Auburn Edges Baylor, Oregon Holds Off Boise State, Texas Dominates Texas State

CBS Sports • 05 Sep 23:26

Auburn survived a late comeback by Baylor, No. 2 Oregon beat Boise State, and Texas rolled past Texas State as several quarterbacks made notable debuts in the opening weekend.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center