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2026 Week 2 Power Rankings for CFB Teams in the West

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  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports


Toss the preseason expectations out the window.

The results from Week 1 are the only body of work to analyze.

UCLA went on the road and beat rival California. That win was the most impressive result in the West over the weekend.

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USC also dominated Fresno State in convincing fashion.

In other words, the Big Ten continues to roll.

Here’s how I view the Top Teams in the West heading into Week 2.

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1. Oregon (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

That did not look like what we expected.

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Oregon was considered a preseason favorite to win the National Championship.

This team has a long way to go. The spread was 24 points, and it turned into a single-possession game.

A win may be a win. But that was a flop.

usc logo

2. USC (0-0, 2-0) ◄►

There was never any real concern behind USC’s poor finish in its Week 0 opener.

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But for anyone doubting, Lincoln Riley gave them an answer.

The Trojans dominated Fresno State 39-0. The shutout was over a team some considered to be a contender in the Pac-12.

Watch out, there may be some substance around the USC hype this season.

BYU Cougars logo

3. BYU (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

The Cougars dominated Utah Tech for an easy win in the opener.

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The victory sets the stage for a critical matchup with Arizona this weekend.

BYU can’t afford any stumbles in the Playoff race. The national media will seize the first opportunity it can to write off the Big 12.

It’s a must-win game in Provo.

Washington football logo

4. Washington (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

The sloppy win over Washington State was acceptable for a season opener.

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Was it perfect? No, not by any means.

But a win over a rival in the first game of the year is a foundation to build on.

There is plenty for Jedd Fisch and his staff to work on before Big Ten play starts later this month.

Utah Utes logo

5. Utah (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

A blowout victory over an FCS opponent is the right way to start a season.

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Utah crushed Idaho and can turn its full attention to Arkansas.

The SEC opponent presents a great opportunity to gain respect. A convincing win over the Razorbacks would be acknowledged by the East Coast media.

The Big 12 needs its top programs to carry the banner.

UCLA Bruins logo

6. UCLA (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR

Starting a new era with a road win over a rival was clutch.

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The final score was one for the history books. UCLA’s win emphasized the strength of the Big Ten.

Now, the expectations are raised.

A clear victory over San Diego State this weekend is a reasonable expectation.

Arizona football logo

7. Arizona (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

The Arizona secondary gave up a few plays downfield against Northern Arizona.

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And the Wildcats’ offense wasn’t efficient enough. But the defense did not give up a touchdown.

Any weaknesses will probably be magnified and exploited by BYU this weekend.

The final score in Provo will show where UA stands early in the season.

ASU Sun Devis logo

8. Arizona State (0-0, 1-0) ▲1

Cutter Boley threw six touchdowns in the opener against Morgan State.

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The dominant performance answered some preseason questions. Arizona State looks to be legitimate this year.

Now, an upset victory on the road against Texas A&M doesn’t seem that unreasonable.

A win over the Aggies would improve the Big 12’s reputation and make ASU a Playoff contender.

Boise State Broncos logo

9. Boise State (0-0, 0-1) ▼3

Boise State gained respect despite its loss to Oregon.

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The Broncos went toe-to-toe with one of the favorites to win the National Championship. On their home field.

The close margin of defeat could be a favorable metric in the Playoff race.

But that won’t matter if BSU loses to Memphis this weekend. The season is on the line.

San Diego State Aztecs logo

10. San Diego State (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

The Aztecs scored 53 points in the opener. It was the most that San Diego State had scored in a single game since 2016.

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The offense is rolling.

This week’s matchup with UCLA could change the trajectory of the season.

A win on the road over a Big Ten opponent would build the Pac-12’s reputation.

Dropped Out: Cal

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3 NFL Futures Bets to Make Before the 2026 Season Begins

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Aug 5, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) stands on the field during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesAug 5, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) stands on the field during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The best time of the year in American sports is upon us.

The new NFL season begins Wednesday night with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots, and 15 more Week 1 games will follow over the next several days.

So that leaves only a few more days to get your preseason futures wagers in. Here are three that we like the most:

Denver Broncos to win the AFC West (+210, DraftKings)

The Kansas City Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes, but there’s no denying the overall quality of the roster has decreased in the last couple seasons

The LA Chargers still have one the NFL’s most consistent coaches in Jim Harbaugh and one of its more underrated quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. But they’ll be challenged to make up for the departure of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who is now coaching the Ravens.

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That makes the Broncos the smart choice here under veteran NFL coach Sean Payton, blossoming quarterback Bo Nix and the conference’s deepest roster.

Yes, the Broncos are playing a first-place schedule after winning the division last year, but that doesn’t mean as much as it usually might given the unusual state of last year’s AFC playoff field. Back them to do it again here at very sensible +210 odds and an implied 32.3% probability.

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Lamar Jackson to pass for more than 3,500 yards (+135, DraftKings)

Jackson has only accomplished this feat three times, but that includes two of the last three seasons. He would’ve been in that neighborhood in 2026 had he played the full season, despite a campaign most considered beneath his usual standard.

Health is always the risk with Jackson in this kind of wager. Offsetting that to a certain extent is the fact that he’s always played well in his first season with a new co-ordinator. This will be his third, with Declan Doyle calling the plays for first-year head coach Jesse Minter.

Jackson threw for 3,127 yards in his first year under Greg Roman and 3,678 in his first year under Todd Monken. And he’s shown more consistency as a passer over the last few seasons overall. So this is a sensible wager at +135 odds and an implied 43% probability, even if the overall track record isn’t quite there.

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Chicago Bears to win the Super Bowl (+2500, FanDuel)

After turning the Bears around in Year 1, there’s every reason to believe Ben Johnson has at least a puncher’s chance to lead Chicago to its first Super Bowl victory in 41 years in his second season.

Yes, last year’s +22 turnover margin was freakishly good and probably not sustainable. But there’s also the feeling that Johnson has only scratched the surface in unearthing what third-year QB Caleb Williams might be able to accomplish.

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They won’t sneak up on anyone in Year 2 of their partnership, but they will benefit from a lot more offseason stability and familiarity with Johnson’s offense. At +2500 odds and an implied 4.0% probability, this is a speculative wager worth sprinkling on.

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Andy Gray to make UK commentary return for first time since Sky sports sacking

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Andy Gray is to make his return to UK commentary for the first time since he was sacked by Sky Sports for sexist and derogatory comments when he worked for the broadcaster.

The former Everton player most recently worked for beIN Sports in Qatar, after he was fired from Sky Sports and longtime colleague Richard Keys resigned over a row sparked by sexist comments during a broadcast for 2011.

Since the expiry of their beIN Sports contract at the end of last season both Gray and Keys have returned to the UK, setting up a podcast together entitled Keys & Gray Unleashed.

Gray has also embarked on a return to commentary for TalkSport’s coverage of this season’s Champions League.

The 70-year-old will co-commentate alongside Jim Proudfoot on Liverpool’s group stage opener against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.

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He told the Daily Mail last month that he’d “like to think” he could return to the airwaves. “Not television, maybe, but radio. Just to see what it feels like again. I would like that.”

Keys and Gray were fixtures of Sky Sports’ coverage in the early 2000s before they both departed after being recorded making derogatory remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis and the ability of female match officials in 2011, while further evidence then emerged of misogynistic remarks by both men.

Keys was recorded saying: “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her (Massey-Ellis),” with Gray replying: “Yeah, I know. Can you believe that? Female linesman. Forget what I said – they probably don’t know the offside rule.” He then added: “Why is there a female linesman? Somebody’s f***** up big.”

Footage then emerged of Gray making a lewd comment to presenter Charlotte Jackson, prompting his firing, while Keys was criticised for disparaging remarks he made to Jamie Redknapp about an ex-girlfriend.

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Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours set for 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes return

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The esteemed Melbourne Cup winner, Half Yours, is poised to begin its championship defence in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stayer is once again being targeted for this year’s Melbourne Cup (3200m), scheduled to take place at Flemington on November 3.

Jamie Melham, who achieved a historic Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double as the first female jockey to do so, will partner the stayer in its first-up run over 1600 metres at weight-for-age this Saturday.

During the previous campaign, some observers questioned Half Yours’s form. It raced first-up in Sydney before a three-race stint in Queensland, the final of which was the Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June, where the gelding finished fourth.

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Half Yours spent time spelling in Queensland before returning to the McEvoy stable at Flemington early last month to prepare for its racing comeback.

Following two jump-outs at Flemington, Half Yours is considered ready for its return. Tony McEvoy indicated that while the most recent trial, a fourth-place finish over 1000 metres, might have appeared disappointing visually, the team was pleased with the outcome.

“I was really happy with his trial,” McEvoy commented.

“If you put him in a 1000-metre race, he would get completely run off his legs and they ran it like a race.

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“It wasn’t like a normal trial and he got chasing.

“They were also trials at Flemington where they finish on a bend, so it’s very hard for horses to make ground on a bend.

“Whilst it didn’t look impressive, I thought he moved well, trialled nicely and the horse is telling us he’s going very well while his coat is coming better by the day.

“All the data that we collate on him is normal.

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“He certainly hasn’t gone backwards.”

Following its initial run on Saturday, Half Yours is expected to contest the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3, a race where it previously finished fourth before capturing the Caulfield Cup.

The Group 1 Cox Plate, which will be hosted at Flemington this year, will serve as the concluding race in Half Yours’s preparation for the Melbourne Cup.

Check out the best betting markets for the race from various providers.

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4 WWE Superstars who could help Oba Femi against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed

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Oba Femi’s match against Bron Breakker at Sunday Night’s Main Event did not reach a proper conclusion, thanks to the returning Bronson Reed. The Aus-Zilla made his first appearance since February and destroyed The Ruler with multiple Tsunamis.

Femi’s night ended with him staring at the lights, writhing in pain. Reed’s return has strengthened The Vision once again, and The Ruler will need some backup to counter the numbers advantage.

Here are four WWE Superstars who could help Oba Femi against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

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#4. Je’Von Evans

Je’Von Evans has a direct reason to have problems with The Vision. Logan Paul previously tried to recruit Evans into the faction. The Young OG turned down the offer, and Bron Breakker later attacked him during his match against Austin Theory.

The Street Profits came to Evans’ aid after the attack. However, that was not the end of his issues with The Vision. Breakker and Theory later defeated Evans and Dragon Lee in July.

Evans therefore knows what Breakker and The Vision are capable of. If the two try to take advantage of Femi again, Evans could step in. It would also give Evans another chance to stand against a group he has already rejected. Moreover, Evans and Femi share plenty of history from their time in NXT, which could also come into play.


#3. & #2. The Street Profits

The Street Profits could be another natural choice to help Oba Femi. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have been dealing with The Vision for much of 2026. Their issues with the group have already led to several confrontations, and they eventually won the World Tag Team Championship from Breakker and Austin Theory, only to drop it back to the heel duo.

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That history gives them a clear reason to get involved. If Breakker and Bronson Reed use their numbers to overwhelm Femi, Ford and Dawkins could come out to even things up.

Moreover, helping Femi could give The Street Profits another chance to get at Breakker and Theory. Their involvement would also keep the rivalry between the two sides going.


#1. Seth Rollins could help Oba Femi

The current situation could give Seth Rollins a perfect reason to return. The Visionary has been away from television since losing to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.

Rollins is no stranger to The Vision. The Architect picked Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to be part of the group. However, Breakker turned on Rollins and kicked him out, and Reed stayed with The Dog.

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Rollins had a heated feud with the group and a trilogy of matches against Breakker earlier this year. However, Reed was absent during all of it. Now that the Australian powerhouse has returned, The Visionary could resume his feud with the group that he created and help Oba Femi against Breakker and Reed.