Upsets drove Week 2 of the 2026 college football season, and the TV numbers followed right along. ABC and FOX came out on top on a Saturday that featured two huge swings at the start and end of the day: Michigan knocking off Oklahoma in Ann Arbor, then Texas storming back to beat top-ranked Ohio State at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Those two games led the week’s viewership list, but they were far from the only draws. Here’s a look at the 10 most-watched games of Week 2, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data.
- Ohio State vs.
Texas
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.
ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 13.99 million
ABC’s biggest showcase of the week delivered the biggest audience, with Texas’ comeback over Ohio State drawing 14.0 million viewers. That total was below last year’s matchup, which aired on FOX and brought in 16.6 million.
The Longhorns erased a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit and finished off a 24-23 win. Arch Manning threw a touchdown in the final frame, and Hollywood Smothers added two rushing scores, including the game-winner.
- Oklahoma vs.
Michigan
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 12 p.m.
ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 8.22 million
FOX’s Big Noon Saturday slot delivered one of the week’s biggest shocks. Michigan’s defense kept Oklahoma’s offense from finding any rhythm, and the Wolverines turned that into a win in front of more than 8 million viewers.
Michigan forced two turnovers, including a fourth-quarter interception of John Mateer that set up the go-ahead touchdown. Oklahoma had one last chance in the final minute, but the drive died and Michigan held on for the 17-10 upset.
- Alabama vs.
Kentucky
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m.
ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.28 million
Kentucky briefly made things interesting after the two teams traded pick-sixes early, but Alabama settled in after halftime and pulled away for a 45-17 win in Lexington.
Keelon Russell finished 16-of-23 for 188 yards and a touchdown while also turning it over three times. Daniel Hill led the ground game with 104 yards and a touchdown.
- Missouri vs.
Kansas
Date/Time: Sept. 11, 8 p.m.
ET
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 3.09 million
FOX got a strong Friday night result from the renewed “Border War” rivalry. Missouri and Kansas were tied 14-14 at halftime before the Tigers took control and won 38-21 in Lawrence.
Austin Simmons completed 19 of 29 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, and Jamal Roberts added 125 rushing yards and a score.
- Arizona vs.
BYU
Channel: FOX
Viewers: 3.01 million
BYU’s Bear Bachmeier was the story in the Cougars’ win over Arizona, accounting for all four touchdowns in a 28-17 victory. The game followed the Oklahoma-Michigan lead-in on FOX and kept plenty of viewers tuned in.
Bachmeier went 16-of-26 for 217 yards and three passing touchdowns, and he also ran for 37 yards and a score. BYU moved to 2-0 and now heads into one more non-conference game against Colorado State.
- Arizona State vs.
Texas A&M
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 12 p.m.
ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 2.53 million
ABC opened its college football tripleheader with Arizona State and Texas A&M, and the game still drew solid numbers despite going up against Oklahoma-Michigan. The Aggies pulled away after halftime for a 48-20 win.
The game was 7 points at halftime before Texas A&M took over, forcing four Arizona State turnovers. Two of those were pick-sixes in the fourth quarter. Texas A&M now turns to its SEC opener against Kentucky, while Arizona State begins Big 12 play against Kansas.
- Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
Weather delayed the game and forced a network change, but Oklahoma State still delivered one of the week’s biggest surprises by beating Oregon in Stillwater.
Drew Mestemaker threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions. He added the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma State snapped a 12-game losing streak against FBS opponents with a win over the No. 6 Ducks.
- Iowa State vs.
Iowa
Date/Time: Sept. 11, 8 p.m.
ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 1.99 million
The CyHawk game came down to the wire, with Iowa rallying late before Caden Buhr sealed the rivalry win with a field goal and 15 seconds left.
Buhr hit two field goals, including the winner. Hank Brown started at quarterback for Iowa and went 21-of-30 for 191 yards while also scoring on the ground.
- Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech
Tennessee left no doubt in its Week 2 win over Georgia Tech, piling up 299 rushing yards and getting two passing touchdowns from Faizon Brandon.
DeSean Bishop powered the run game with 147 yards and two scores. Tennessee now has one final non-conference game against Kennesaw State before a major matchup with top-ranked Texas next week.
- Notre Dame vs.
Rice
Date/Time: Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m.
ET
Channel: NBC
Viewers: 1.63 million
Even in a lopsided game, Notre Dame still cracked the top 10 in viewership with its 52-0 win over Rice. The Irish jumped on the Owls early with a scoop-and-score from Adon Shuler and never looked back.
CJ Carr completed 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns before the backups took over. Notre Dame now shifts to a primetime matchup against Michigan State in Week 3, with the rivalry coming to South Bend for the first time under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Week 2 delivered a strong set of numbers across the board, with the marquee primetime game leading the way. Next up is Week 3, and the biggest game in the country is headed to Oxford on Saturday night.
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