Perhaps the only reason SMU is in the ACC is that the Mustangs agreed to forfeit a share of conference television revenue for nine years. However, in their first year in a "Power 4" league, the Ponies have eyes on Charlotte for the ACC title game and beyond.

Now, only one poll matters as the College Football Playoff committee will reveal its first rankings on Tuesday. Twenty-five teams will be ranked, but the top 12 will be closely watched in the newly expanded format. Olin Buchanan projects which teams might claim a top-12 spot.

In the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff, there will likely be a two-loss team that finds its way into the bracket. Before the calendar turns to November, here is a look at the resumes of the current two-loss "Power 4" clubs.

There is a Notre Dame-Navy matchup and an Illinois-Oregon showdown, but the biggest game of the weekend resides in College Station as No. 14 Texas A&M hosts No. 8 LSU with first place in the SEC and the inside track to the CFP up for grabs.

A rash of injuries and close games with overmatched opponents has forced Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs — at least for right now — to temper expectations and focus on just being dominant again. Though, toppling No. 1 Texas on Saturday could help reassert their stature.

The college football world will be focused on Autzen Stadium on Saturday evening when Oregon hosts Ohio State in a No. 3 vs. No. 2 matchup that pits the Ducks and Buckeyes against each other for the first time as Big Ten conference foes.

Many have recently bemoaned the decision making and flagging credibility of the ACC along with college football officiating. Both of those issues were magnified last Friday as a debated last-second review handed Miami a questionable win over Virginia Tech.

The Indiana Hoosiers are eyeing their first 5-0 start since 1967 as Maryland comes to Bloomington on Saturday. Behind the confidence of first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers' early-season success should not come as too much of a surprise.

Blue bloods Michigan and USC have met on the gridiron ten times in history, and eight of those meetings have occurred in the Rose Bowl. With this weekend's Big Ten conference clash of Wolverines and Trojans happening in Ann Arbor, something just feels off.

A year ago, resurgent Colorado sat at 2-0 and was ranked No. 18 in the country, but entering Week 3 of the 2024 campaign, the Buffaloes are just 1-9 in their last 10 games vs. FBS foes. It appears that hope and optimism for "Coach Prime" is headed downhill at an alarming rate.

With a Labor Day loss to Boston College in Tallahassee, the Florida State Seminoles are now 0-2 to start 2024 after claiming the ACC title a season ago. Do not expect the Garnet & Gold faithful to be patient should the disappointments keep coming this fall.

The first full slate of college football games is upon us as the race for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff officially heats up. With our Saturdays jam-packed once again, he's a list of 12 things to keep an eye on throughout the 2024 CFB season.

Kirby Smart & Co. have won 29 straight, but should Alabama upend Georgia in Saturday's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, there is no guarantee that the Bulldogs will receive a berth in this year's College Football Playoff.

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a gruesome season-ending injury last week, and now, the Seminoles' path to remaining unbeaten has become more difficult. Should FSU falter this week or next, there will be a number of one-loss lobbying for a spot in the CFP.

Representation in the College Football Playoff, and perhaps winning a title, would be ideal for the Pac-12 before it inevitably disbands after suffering a mass exodus over the past year. Washington and Oregon have postseason potential. But the top 15 Beavers stand in their way.

Michigan currently finds itself clouded in controversy after details of its sign-stealing scheme emerged over the past few weeks. Billed as a top-five team and potential playoff participant, how will the Wolverines fare in their first true test of the season in Happy Valley?

With only one conference loss, technically, USC could still be a factor in the Pac-12 championship race, but with that defense, life will be hard for the Trojans. Given their defensive struggles, finishing 7-5 seems more likely for Lincoln Riley's team.

Coincidentally, the first CFP rankings will be released next Tuesday on Halloween. There are currently six undefeated P5 squads and ten others with only one loss. Only four can make the postseason. As the season unfolds, those merely disguised as playoff caliber will be exposed.