Week 1 of the college football season is in the books, meaning we have all the College Football Playoff picks figured out, right?
Well, we're still 14 weeks away from the unveiling of the four playoff teams, but Sporting News will keep you updated each week with our Playoff Picture. In Week 2, games between Texas A&M and Clemson and LSU and Texas should help shake up that outlook. Those games will resonate in November.
MORE: Overreactions from Week 1
Here is Sporting News with four in, two out and four to watch:
Four in
1. Clemson (1-0)
Travis Etienne reminded everyone the Tigers have two Heisman Trophy candidates in the backfield with 205 rushing yards and three TDs in a 52-14 romp against Georgia Tech. Texas A&M visits Death Valley this week. Lawrence played behind Kelly Bryant in that game last year; one in which Kellen Mond had 430 passing yards and three TDs.
2. Alabama (1-0)
The Crimson Tide took a quarter to get going, but Tua Tagovailoa is the Heisman front-runner again after hitting 26 of 31 passing for 336 yards and four TDs. The Tuscaloosa airwaves will bemoan the running game all week, but the defense did not look bad without Dylan Moses. Look for Alabama to re-establish the running game against New Mexico State.
3. Georgia (1-0)
The Bulldog rolled through a road SEC opener with a 30-6 victory and Vanderbilt, and that came with 323 rushing yards on 8.1 yards per carry. Jake Fromm still needs to find a go-to receiver, and Kirby Smart will lament the 10 penalties for 115 yards, but Georgia can simply overwhelm teams behind that offensive line. Why is it playing Murray State this week?
4. Texas (1-0)
We picked Texas to make the College Football Playoff this offseason, and it was with this moment in mind. Sam Ehlinger, who passed for 276 yards and four TDs in a 45-14 victory against Louisiana Tech, gets the big stage against a SEC opponent this week. The Longhorns also averaged 5.1 yards per carry and forced three turnovers. Their opponent is next on the list.
Two out
5. LSU (1-0)
LSU-Texas promises to be epic, and even more if the Tigers let Joe Burrow air it out in the new-look offense that turned heads in Week 1. Burrow threw for 278 yards and five TDs in a 55-3 romp of Georgia Southern, and the Tigers can get a huge piece of the Playoff puzzle with a victory in Austin.
6. Oklahoma (1-0)
Jalen Hurts totaled 508 yards of offense and six TDs in a spectacular debut, and the Sooners once again have an offense that can score on anybody. The defense was improved but still gave up 31 points to Houston in the opener. Hurts' impact was more than expected, but keep monitoring the defense to see if Oklahoma can take the next step.
Four to watch
7. Ohio State (1-0)
Justin Fields got the headlines after a 28-0 first quarter against FAU, but the Buckeyes throttled down afterward in a 45-21 moment. It wasn't a complete performance, but the good news is the defense appears to be better around Chase Young and Malik Harrison. The Owls had 33 rushing attempts for 22 yards. The in-state rivalry with Cincinnati and former Ohio State coach Luke Fickell will be more intriguing.
8. Michigan (1-0)
The Wolverines were sloppy at time in a 40-21 victory against Middle Tennessee State, but Jim Harbaugh seems committed to the new-look offense with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Shea Patterson hit three different receivers for TDs, and Zach Charbonnet could be the long-awaited answer at tailback. Don Brown's defense can still get after it, but they will be tested by Army's triple-option on Saturday.
9. Notre Dame (1-0)
The Irish took a while to click on both sides in the opener against Louisville, but the rushing attack is still dominant. Ian Book should improve on the bye week. The defense will need to be better against the run in future road tests. The Irish will not be in action after tonight's game until Sept. 14 against New Mexico.
10. Washington (1-0)
Oregon lost, so now it's on Washington to carry the Pac-12 banner after a 47-14 victory against Eastern Washington. Jacob Eason impressed with 349 passing yards and four TDs in his first start, and this might be the most-physically gifted arm talent Chris Petersen has ever coached. Washington trusts its system, and that will keep the team here for a while. The Huskies begin Pac-12 play Saturday against Cal.
