National landscape, week one

Have seen and heard a lot of articles/discussion regarding where the expanded playoff stands after the first full weekend of play. So I thought I'd start a weekly look at things and sprinkle in my own opinions.

First and foremost, I think we can all agree our Dawgs should be at the top of any list. True, it's early. And many challenges lie ahead, both at home, on the road, and at (hopefully) the Benz Dome again. But it's already clear that our roster and this coaching staff can overwhelm an ACC championship challenger at the very least.

After Georgia, who sticks out? Miami is a hot pick after throttling the gators, but that is a bad football team. Napier won't last the month I suspect. Other ACC teams that could win the conference...both Techs. The Jackets are already 1-0, but feel like they don't have the roster to go the long haul. Virginia Tech was a popular dark horse before the season. They could still compete, but were pushed around by Vandy for much of that game.

So the ACC feels like a Clemson and Miami race early on, just waiting to see who else steps up.

In the Big Ten, Oregon didn't look ready and Ohio State eventually rose to the occasion. But I'd put Penn State at the top right now. Good win on the road against West Virginia.

Out in the Big 12, a lotta cupcakes. But I'd say Utah and UCF did the best at not playing with their food before digesting it.

So I'll go with Georgia, Clemson, Penn State and Utah as the top four as conference champions. The SEC will probably have the highest ranked non-conference champions, so I'd say three and maybe four others get in after the Group of 5 gets its bid. Notre Dame has the best track into the CFB Playoffs. After its win over LSU Sunday night, they are a virtual lock. So if we make the SEC's total number 5 (Bama, Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee?), Ohio State and another Big 12 team should round it out.

1. Georgia (bye)
   
2. Penn State (bye)
3. Utah (bye)
4. Clemson (bye)
5. Notre Dame (hosts)
6. Bama (hosts)
7. Ohio State (hosts)
8. Texas (hosts)
9. Ole Miss
10. UCF
11. Tennessee
12. Boise State

Those are at least some intriguing match ups in Round 1. Still not sold on making the season this long. But I'd watch, and I guess that's why they expanded, right? $$$