AL.com’s college football staff picks for Week 2 of 2026 season

After an extended Labor Day weekend, we’ve settled into a more traditional college football lineup in Week 2. Alabama opens SEC play, but most of the action is still of the non-conference variety. Auburn and UAB are home for the first time this season, there are two titanic SEC-Big Ten matchups. Scroll along below to find out how the various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s big games playing out. We’ll also offer predicted scores for the Alabama and Auburn games. A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.On with this week’s picks (all games Saturday unless noted and all times Central): Missouri wide receiver Donovan Olugbode scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP Photo/Jeff RobersonMissouri (-6.5) at Kansas, 7 p.m. Friday, FoxThomas Ashworth: MissouriGabe Burrgraf: MissouriMichael Casagrande: MissouriBen Flanagan: MissouriIzzy Gould: MissouriAndrew Hammond: MissouriJerry Humphrey: MissouriNick Kelly: MissouriPeter Rauterkus: KansasCreg Stephenson: MissouriOklahoma defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) celebrates after a tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)APOklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan, 11 a.m., FoxThomas Ashworth: OklahomaGabe Burrgraf: OklahomaMichael Casagrande: OklahomaBen Flanagan: MichiganIzzy Gould: OklahomaAndrew Hammond: OklahomaJerry Humphrey: OklahomaNick Kelly: OklahomaPeter Rauterkus: OklahomaCreg Stephenson: OklahomaUAB quarterback Ryder Burton (5) runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)AP Photo/Melissa TamezLouisiana-Monroe (+10.5) at UAB, 12:30 p.m., ESPN+Thomas Ashworth: UABGabe Burrgraf: UABMichael Casagrande: UABBen Flanagan: Louisiana-MonroeIzzy Gould: UABAndrew Hammond: Louisiana-MonroeJerry Humphrey: UABNick Kelly: Louisiana-MonroePeter Rauterkus: Louisiana-MonroeCreg Stephenson: UABTroy wide receiver TJ Lott (15) catches a touchdown pass vs. Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy. (Troy athletics)Aliza Chambers/Troy athleticsAlabama State (+22.5) at Troy, 3 p.m., ESPN+Thomas Ashworth: Alabama StateGabe Burrgraf: TroyMichael Casagrande: TroyBen Flanagan: Alabama StateIzzy Gould: TroyAndrew Hammond: Alabama StateJerry Humphrey: Alabama StateNick Kelly: TroyPeter Rauterkus: TroyCreg Stephenson: TroyJacksonville State wide receiver Jamill Williams takes a pass in for a touchdown against Eastern Kentucky.Jax State AthleticsJacksonville State (+2.5) at Ohio, 5 p.m., ESPN+Thomas Ashworth: OhioGabe Burrgraf: OhioMichael Casagrande: Jacksonville StateBen Flanagan: OhioIzzy Gould: OhioAndrew Hammond: OhioJerry Humphrey: Jacksonville StateNick Kelly: Jacksonville StatePeter Rauterkus: OhioCreg Stephenson: Jacksonville StateTennessee tight end Ethan Davis (0) reacts after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Furman, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)AP Photo/Wade PayneTennessee (-12.5) at Georgia Tech, 6 p.m., ESPNThomas Ashworth: TennesseeGabe Burrgraf: Georgia TechMichael Casagrande: TennesseeBen Flanagan: Georgia TechIzzy Gould: TennesseeAndrew Hammond: Georgia TechJerry Humphrey: TennesseeNick Kelly: TennesseePeter Rauterkus: TennesseeCreg Stephenson: TennesseeSouth Alabama defenders swarm Southeastern Louisiana running back Calvin Smith Jr. in a NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)Mike Kittrell/AL.comSouth Alabama (+9.5) at Tulane, 6 p.m., ESPN+Thomas Ashworth: TulaneGabe Burrgraf: TulaneMichael Casagrande: TulaneBen Flanagan: TulaneIzzy Gould: TulaneAndrew Hammond: TulaneJerry Humphrey: South AlabamaNick Kelly: South AlabamaPeter Rauterkus: TulaneCreg Stephenson: South AlabamaTexas head coach Steve Sarkisian argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP Photo/Eric GayOhio State (+1.5) at Texas, 6:30 p.m., ABC Thomas Ashworth: TexasGabe Burrgraf: TexasMichael Casagrande: TexasBen Flanagan: TexasIzzy Gould: Ohio StateAndrew Hammond: TexasJerry Humphrey: TexasNick Kelly: Ohio StatePeter Rauterkus: TexasCreg Stephenson: Ohio StateJared Smith celebrates as Auburn faces off with Baylor in the 2026 season opener in Atlanta on Sep. 5, 2026.Wesley SinorSouthern Miss (+32.5) at Auburn, 6:45 p.m., SEC NetworkThomas Ashworth: Auburn 45, Southern Miss 10Gabe Burrgraf: Auburn 52, Southern Miss 10Michael Casagrande: Auburn 45, Southern Miss 9Ben Flanagan: Auburn 29, Southern Miss 12Izzy Gould: Auburn 42, Southern Miss 7Andrew Hammond: Auburn 34, Southern Miss 13Jerry Humphrey: Auburn 35, Southern Miss 14Nick Kelly: Auburn 45, Southern Miss 10Peter Rauterkus: Auburn 52, Southern Miss 13Creg Stephenson: Auburn 40, Southern Miss 14Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (0) returns an interception for a touchdown against East Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP Photo/Vasha HuntAlabama (-10.5) at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., ABCThomas Ashworth: Alabama 38, Kentucky 23Gabe Burrgraf: Alabama 35, Kentucky 24Michael Casagrande: Alabama 29, Kentucky 17Ben Flanagan: Alabama 31, Kentucky 17Izzy Gould: Alabama 27, Kentucky 20Andrew Hammond: Alabama 31, Kentucky 24Jerry Humphrey: Alabama 42, Kentucky 21Nick Kelly: Alabama 27, Kentucky 13Peter Rauterkus: Alabama 27, Kentucky 17Creg Stephenson: Alabama 28, Kentucky 19Notre Dame fans look on before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)AP Photo/Kayla WolfUpdated standingsThomas Ashworth — 7-3Nick Kelly — 7-3Peter Rauterkus — 7-3Michael Casagrande — 6-4Creg Stephenson — 6-4 Izzy Gould — 5-5Jerry Humphrey — 5-5Andrew Hammond — 4-6Gabe Burrgraf — 4-6Ben Flanagan — 4-6