We're a long way from the final selection show for the College Football Playoff on Dec. 3. We're a long 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 back, too — teams in bold are in bowl contention.
MORE: Bowl projections
Is it too early? Believe it when we tell you Dec. 3 will be here before you know it.
College Football Playoff picks
1. Alabama. Jalen Hurts balanced 128 passing yards and 154 rushing yards against Fresno State, and the Crimson Tide's defense continues to suffocate the run. Alabama stays home for Colorado State before launching into SEC play at Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide aren't head and shoulders above everybody else, but they are the best team right now.
2. Clemson. It's not just the 11 sacks on defense. It's the collective team defense to get there. The Tigers have allowed just 119 yards per game through two weeks, and it's clear this is Dabo Swinney's best defense yet at Clemson yet. That notion will be put to the test at Louisville on Saturday, a game that will determine the early clubhouse leader in the ACC.
3. Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield didn't just plant the Sooners' flag at midfield. He planted Oklahoma's flag in the College Football Playoff race. The Sooners' offensive line is the best in the country, and the defense looked much faster against the Buckeyes. First-year coach Lincoln Riley is building something special. The Sooners must stay focused through a stretch that includes Tulane, Baylor and Iowa State before the Red River Showdown. By the way, Mayfield has an 83.6 completion percentage.
4. USC. Sam Darnold is fine, thanks. The Trojans took care of business against the Cardinals, but they have no time to rest with a blue-blood showdown against Texas on Saturday. Even better news for the Trojans, the tandem of Ronald Jones II and Stephen Carr is averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
MORE: Week 2 primetime highlights
The field
ACC
Louisville can make their playoff statement against Clemson on Saturday. Defending Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson has amassed 1,010 yards of total offense in two weeks. Miami (Fla.) and Florida State had their game moved back to Oct. 7. Virginia Tech travels to East Carolina this week before big home games against Old Dominion and Clemson.
Big Ten
The Big Ten doesn't have a team in the top four anymore, but the conference has four top-10 teams in the AP Poll that aren't going anywhere. The Penn State- Michigan-Ohio State triangle still needs to be sorted out in the Big Ten East, and the Buckeyes are the one with no margin for error after the home loss to Oklahoma. Wisconsin is business as usual in the Big Ten. Every team is stacked, but it comes down to which team gets the best quarterback play in those big-time showdowns. Which one will step up?
Big 12
TCU has allowed just seven points through two weeks, and the Horned Frogs have emerged as another legitimate contender in the Big 12. Gary Patterson has been down this road several times. The showdown with Oklahoma State on Sept. 23 will be a big one. Mason Rudolph keeps rolling at quarterback for the Cowboys, throwing six touchdowns through two games and averaging 10.3 yards per attempt. Kansas State has taken care of its business against inferior competition.
Pac-12
Washington bounced back, but they have competition from a familiar foe in the Pac-12 North. Oregon is back, and running back Royce Freeman leads the way with 5.8 yards per carry and six touchdowns. Washington State also survived a 47-44 thriller with Boise State. That's a game the Cougars might have lost in the past. We're not eliminating one-loss Stanford, but the Cardinal will need to win out and beat USC in a Pac-12 championship rematch if they want a shot at the playoff.
SEC
The SEC has nine 2-0 teams, but Georgia and LSU look the best through two weeks. Tennessee can join that conversation with a win at The Swamp on Saturday, and South Carolina can improve to 3-0 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday against Kentucky. But the Wildcats will also try to preserver their unbeaten record. Of all those SEC East teams, the Bulldogs seem like the best bet. One-loss Auburn has no margin for error now — not to mention work to do on the offensive line.
