Ohio State and Oregon both faced early setbacks in their 2026 seasons but still have opportunities ahead thanks to the forgiving nature of the 12-team college football playoff format. Ohio State suffered a surprising loss after blowing a 20-point lead to Texas, led by Arch Manning, yet head coach Ryan Day’s team remains firmly in the playoff conversation. With upcoming games against Kent State, Illinois, Maryland, and Iowa, the Buckeyes have a chance to recover and assert themselves, leveraging a fanbase experienced in bouncing back from tough losses.

Oregon’s narrow 34-31 defeat at Oklahoma State highlighted struggles, particularly in the rushing game where the Ducks rank near the bottom nationally. Despite the setback, the schedule ahead could be favorable if Oregon can boost its ground attack. Following a home game against Portland State, Oregon faces a challenging road test at USC next week but then has a manageable October lineup with UCLA, Nebraska, Illinois, and Northwestern, offering a path to regain momentum under coach Dan Lanning.

Washington started 2-0 but only narrowly avoided an upset against Utah State, signaling offensive challenges and key injuries that may impact depth. Quarterback Demond Williams has been steady but inefficient, and the running back corps was hit hard with multiple injuries likely sidelining important players for extended periods. Coach Jedd Fisch will rely on less experienced backs this week as the Huskies prepare for their Big Ten opener against Minnesota and a subsequent road game at USC.

Michigan has won both early season games but with a lackluster offense that produced just 30 total points and ranks near the bottom nationally in yards gained. Sophomore QB Bryce Underwood’s rushing ability is expected to be a bigger part of the offense moving forward, as coach Kyle Whittingham’s defense and special teams have been the backbone of the team's early success. With games against UTEP and then conference rival Iowa coming, Michigan’s challenge will be to improve offensive output while maintaining strong defensive performances.