Halfway through the college football season the contenders have become fairly clear and the most meaningful games are pretty easy to spot.
Of the top 11 teams in the latest Associated Press college football poll, 10 play each other in upcoming regular season games.
No. 5 LSU is at No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 7. No. 9 Florida State also plays at No. 6 Clemson that day. On Nov. 21, No. 7 Michigan State is at No. 1 Ohio State. No. 2 Baylor is at No. 4 TCU the day after Thanksgiving and No. 11 Notre Dame is at No. 10 Stanford that Saturday.
There will be upsets, no doubt. Other games have potential to shake-up the College Football Playoff race and other teams will no doubt be in contention. But there is also a good chance the winners of those games will comprise all if not most of the final four.
This is also the point in the season where most teams have built up enough of a resume that ranking teams on one or two big wins doesn't quite fly. A team can show itself to be very good even if its competition isn't. The AP voters have had their say. Time to heat check their work, but remember: This stuff will work itself out.
No. 1 Ohio State (7-0)
When the Buckeyes don't turn the ball over and convert their red-zone trips into touchdowns, they are that unstoppable team they were expected to be this season. Still might be the best team in the country. Still looking for that centerpiece victory.
Next: at Rutgers.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 2 Baylor (6-0)
If it was this easy to score 60 every week, other teams would do it. But we reserve the right to be a little skeptical.
Next: Iowa State. Smells like another 60.
No. 3 Utah (6-0)
Against one of the tougher schedules in the country so far, the Utes are unbeaten. It might feel weird to vote them No. 1 but it would be the right thing to do.
Next: at USC.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 4 TCU (7-0)
The Horned Frogs have played only three games at home and outscored the opposition 176-51 there.
Next: West Virginia.
No. 5 LSU (6-0)
QB Brandon Harris and the passing game are coming around. But the Tigers have played only two road games
Next: Western Kentucky.
No. 6 Clemson
The Tigers have dusted a couple of inferior conference foes the last two weeks at home. That's what big-time teams do. The resume win against Notre Dame makes up for the lack of road credentials.
Next: at Miami.
No. 7 Michigan State (7-0)
So this is weird: The Spartans played one of their best games of the season at Michigan and had they lost Heat Check would have endorsed not dropping them far. That they won in such a bizarre manner leaves Heat Check reluctant to reward Michigan State too much. Voters seemed to have had a similar reaction and left the Spartans right where they were.
