We're into the second half of the season heading toward the College Football Playoff selection show on Dec. 3. We're also just a week and change away from the first College Football Playoff rankings.
There were no top-10 upsets in Week 8, but there were plenty of statements. Alabama, Penn State and TCU all covered big spreads and solidified their playoff position.
MORE: It's Penn State's time to show it's big-game ready
There's still a long way to go. 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 Monday.
Who's in? Here is the playoff picture heading into Week 9:
1. Alabama (8-0)
The Crimson Tide dominated Tennessee 45-7, and Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa combined to go 22 of 33 passing for 332 yards and two touchdowns. The Crimson Tide get a bye week before LSU comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 4. That means Alabama will be ranked No. 1 when the first College Football Playoff rankings are released.
2. Penn State (7-0)
Unless Penn State beats Ohio State on Saturday, which would give the Nittany Lions back-to-back quality wins after beating Michigan 42-13. Saquon Barkley continues to lead the Heisman Trophy race, and Trace McSorley played one of his best games of the season against the Wolverines. Coach James Franklin said this team is clicking in all three phases, and he's right.
3. Georgia (7-0)
The Bulldogs enjoyed a bye week, and they return for a big game against Florida. Win that, and Kirby Smart will have knocked off two of the rivals he couldn't beat in his first season. A few November landmines remain in Auburn and Georgia Tech, but it's nice to have that Notre Dame victory tucked away right now.
4. TCU (7-0)
Holding Kansas to minus-6 yards was something else, but it's also a way for Gary Patterson to keep the Horned Frogs in the limelight. They are good enough to win the Big 12, and this team appears to be getting better just in time for a crucial stretch of Big 12 games. They certainly aren't looking ahead to Oklahoma.
MORE: Underrated Notre Dame vying for playoff position
The field
ACC
Unbeatens: Miami
One-loss teams: Clemson, N.C. State, Virginia Tech
Contenders: The Hurricanes survived another big game against Syracuse and continue to roll on. N.C. State gets its chance in a big game at Notre Dame between one-loss teams, and Clemson returns from a bye week against Georgia Tech. Those are the games to watch.
Big Ten
Unbeatens: Penn State, Wisconsin
One-loss teams: Michigan State, Ohio State
Contenders: It's all about Penn State and Ohio State this week. The winner will be in the driver's seat in the Big Ten East Division, although Michigan State will get a swing at both in the coming weeks. Michigan has been reduced to spoiler after suffering its second conference loss. That's tough to recover from, even if they win out. Wisconsin continues to roll on in the Big Ten West.
MORE: Texas' heartache won't end until Herman gets big win
Big 12
Unbeatens: TCU
One-loss teams: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State
Contenders: The regular-season picture comes down to this. The Horned Frogs, Sooners and Cowboys can't avoid slipups outside their remaining games. Oklahoma plays at Oklahoma State on Nov. 4 and at home against TCU on Nov. 11. Nobody else from the conference is getting in the playoff.
Pac-12
Unbeatens: None
One-loss teams: Washington State, Washington
Contenders: The Pac-12 looks like the odd conference out unless Washington or Washington State win the rest of their schedule. USC and Stanford could finish with two losses and get close to the playoff, but all sorts of chaos to happen would need to happen just for them to get in the conversation. Something tells us Stanford is really going to regret that loss to San Diego State.
MORE: USC's failings unveiled by Notre Dame
SEC
Unbeatens: Alabama, Georgia
One-loss teams: None
Contenders: Same-old story here. Nothing will surprise us in the SEC other than an Alabama or Georgia loss. It's all about keeping pace up until that potential mega matchup in the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs return to action against Florida this week in a statement game.
The rest
Contenders: Notre Dame is knocking on the door after an impressive victory against USC, and they are right on the edge of the College Football Playoff conversation. The Irish are going to create some very interesting conversations if they keep winning. UCF and South Florida are the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Group of 5.
