ESPN College GameDay makes its picks for Week 2’s biggest games

Notre Dame football doesn’t have a big game this weekend, as it will host the Rice Owls in the 2026 season opener, as ESPN’s College GameDay is in Austin, Texas, as the Ohio State Buckeyes are in town to take on the Texas Longhorns.

It’s a top-5 matchup, the biggest one of the weekend, with plenty on the line for both teams and it made plenty of sense that GameDay traveled with them. As they always do, the crew of Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee were joined by current Texas student and actor Glen Powell made their picks for the best Week 2 games as we’ve made ours already.

Find out below who each of them picked, and if you agree with their choices.

Arizona State Sun Devils at No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies

Sep 12, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; A detail view of the Texas A&M Aggies logo on a helmet prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Howard

- Texas A&M

Saban - Texas A&M

McAfee - Texas A&M

Powell - Arizona State

Herbstreit - Texas A&M

No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Sep 5, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (2) and defensive lineman Mariyon Dye (9) celebrate a play against the Furman Paladins during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Howard - Tennessee

Saban - Tennessee

McAfee - Tennessee

Powell - Tennessee

Herbstreit - Tennessee

Iowa State Cyclones vs. No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes

Sep 5, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tony Diaz (14) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Howard - Iowa

Saban - Iowa

McAfee - Iowa

Powell - Iowa

Herbstreit - Iowa

Memphis Tigers vs. Boise State Broncos

Sep 5, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Boise State Broncos tight end Matt Wagner (88) celebrates with wide receiver Cam Bates (3) and wide receiver Darren Morris (13) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Howard - Boise State

Saban - Boise State

McAfee - Memphis

Powell - Boise State

Herbstreit - Boise State

Mississippi State Rebels vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Sep 3, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Zack Harden (4) celebrates during the second half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Howard - Minnesota

Saban - Mississippi State

McAfee - Minnesota

Powell - Mississippi State

Herbstreit - Minnesota

No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats

Sep 5, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) passes the ball down field during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Howard - Alabama

Saban - Alabama

McAfee - Alabama

Powell - Alabama

Herbstreit - Kentucky

Arizona Wildcats at No. 15 BYU Cougars

Sep 5, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars defensive back Matthias Leach (27) leaps to celebrate with linebacker Cade Uluave (4) after making an interception during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Howard - Arizona

Saban - BYU

McAfee - BYU

Powell - BYU

Herbstreit - BYU

No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Michigan Wolverines

Oklahoma's Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates his touchdown with John Mateer (10) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.

Howard - Michigan

Saban - Oklahoma

McAfee - Oklahoma

Powell - Oklahoma

Herbstreit - Oklahoma

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 4 Texas Longhorns

Sep 5, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns edge Colin Simmons (1) reacts after recovering a fumble during the third quarter against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Howard - Texas

Saban - Texas

McAfee - Texas

Powell - Texas

Herbstreit - no pick

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: ESPN College GameDay makes its picks for Week 2’s biggest games