The first College Football Playoff rankings arrive at the end of October.
Between now and the end of the month, the majority of the playoff hopefuls will have their championship credentials tested by programs beneath them in the rankings hungry to take their spots.
Defending national champion Alabama holds the top spot in the AP Top 25 entering Week 6, while Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson follow in that order.
Beneath the top four teams in the polls, a quartet of programs are lining up their respective paths to the playoff, some of which involve defeating one or more of the top four teams.