We're a long way from the final selection show for the College Football Playoff on Dec. 3. We're a long way from the first set of playoff rankings on Oct. 31.
But if you think we're going to stop talking about who's in. ...
Sporting News will break down the College Football Playoff picture each week, with the four teams we think are in and the field behind them. Bowl projections are coming back in Week 3, too.
MORE: Highlights, scores from star-studded Week 1
Is it too early? Believe it when we tell you Dec. 3 will be here before you know it. Teams in bold are considered playoff contenders.
1. Alabama. The Crimson Tide grabbed the first big pot of the 2017 season with a 24-7 victory against No. 3 Florida State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the defense is as good as ever. Detractors will nitpick Jalen Hurts and the offense, but there's time for the sophomore to get comfortable with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll before SEC play heats up.
2. Ohio State. The Buckeyes' defensive line is a game-wrecker, and J.K. Dobbins' emphatic debut at running back helped J.T. Barrett settle down in the opener. There are still kinks to work out in the passing offense, but four touchdowns in five possessions against Indiana showed what happened when it works. Big game this week against Sooners.
3. Clemson. The defending national champions were the only school in the FBS to rack up more than 600 yards of offense while allowing fewer than 150 yards on defense in Week 1. It's only Kent State, but quarterback Kelly Bryant played well, the defensive line is fast and the Tigers can assert their playoff stance the next two weeks against Auburn and Louisville.
4. USC. Yes, we were underwhelmed by their opener, but we're not going to just fold on Sam Darnold and the Trojans. If USC beats Stanford this week in their annual early-season showdown, then the Trojans' opening-game struggles against Western Michigan will be forgotten.
MORE: Biggest Week 1 overreactions
ACC
Florida State suffered a major blow with the loss of Deondre Francois for the season, but the Seminoles' defense is good enough to build around James Blackman. The Seminoles have a tune-up against Louisiana-Monroe before the showdown with rival Miami, which has an opportunity to jump in the picture over the next few weeks. Ditto for Louisville, which underwhelmed in the opener against Purdue. Virginia Tech will be in the hunt all season, which they proved with a thrilling victory against West Virginia.
Big Ten
It's like last year all over again. Penn State has the best offense in the Big Ten — maybe in the country. The Nittany Lions can show that in a revenge game against Pitt. We told you over and over Michigan will be fine. They won't lose focus in a three-game stretch against Cincinnati, Air Force and Purdue. Wisconsin's matchup against Florida Atlantic will get attention this week, and it won't be on the Badgers. In other words, business as usual en route to 2-0. Keep an eye on Iowa. That defense gives them a chance in the Big Ten West.
Big 12
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State flexed their high-powered offenses, and the Sooners' passing offense was particularly impressive in Lincoln Riley's debut. For the Sooners, the time is now to score that big victory at Ohio State on Saturday. That would go a long way not just for the Sooners, but also for the conference. Kansas State and TCU took care of business, and the Horned Frogs can impress with a victory against Arkansas this week.
Pac-12
Washington underwhelmed at Rutgers, but that could work out in their favor. Oregon scored 77 points and racked up 703 yards, so maybe they'll be a factor in the Pac-12 race after all. Stanford, coming off a bye week, can make its statement by knocking off the Trojans.
SEC
The trio of LSU, Auburn and Georgia won by a combined score of 99-17 in Week 1. We'll admit to undervaluing LSU a bit. Auburn and Georgia can climb the ladder with nonconference battles against Clemson and Notre Dame, respectively.
Independents
Notre Dame rushed for 422 yards in its victory against Temple, which will get the Fighting Irish back in the AP Top 25. They can take the first step toward a larger conversation by knocking off Georgia in South Bend.
