We're already five weeks into the college football season and true playoff contenders are already starting to emerge from the pack, while other hyped preseason favorites have quickly fallen by the wayside. With that in mind, who can we expect to see playing for the national championship at the end of the season?
1) Ohio State Buckeyes
It hasn't always been pretty - especially this weekend's 34-27 win over Indiana - but the defending champion Buckeyes are undefeated. The biggest game of the season will be against Michigan State, which could decide which Big Ten team gets a spot in the College Football Playoff. Still, as long as Ohio State keeps winning, they'll be the favorites this season.
2) TCU Horned Frogs
Beating the Longhorns 50-7 doesn't mean what it used to, but still -- when you can put a 30-point whooping on any team IN THE FIRST QUARTER, it's extremely impressive. TCU has won 13 straight games over the past two years, despite a myriad of injuries on the defensive side of the ball in 2015. QB Trevone Boykin added another five touchdown passes to his staggering total of 19 over five games and the offense is playing at an extremely high level. Right now, they might be playing better than anyone else in the country.
3) Alabama Crimson Tide
Just a few days ago, people were talking about the "end of the Nick Saban dynasty" like it was a foregone conclusion in advance of #13 Alabama's road date against #8 Georgia.
HAH!
So much for media chatter. QB Jacob Coker ran the offense to perfection, the defense schooled UGA's offense in spellbinding fashion, and Bama basically turned in a perfect game in a 38-10 victory in front of a hostile crowd in Athens. After four top-ten teams (Ole Miss, Notre Dame, UCLA, & Georgia) fell on Saturday, Bama is now back in the College Football Playoff race at 4-1.
In case you forgot, last weekend served as a reminder. Never bet against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
4) Clemson Tigers
Clemson didn't look overly impressive in their 24-22 win over Notre Dame this weekend, but they're ranked No. 6 in the country and have an extremely easy schedule the rest of the season, paving the way for a chance to play in the playoff. The defense is vastly improved and one of the best in the country, and the offense is capable of scoring a touchdown from anywhere on the field.
Back to the NCAA Newsfeed