This will all change I suspect as the season goes along. For example, I might put Ole Miss in there in place of any of those 4 if they consistently play like the did tonight. LSU may also creep right in.
We have the Defense, our secondary may be a little sketchy but meh. Our Offense has weapons but a young QB which brings an element of unpredictability.
But I do think we're right in there with about 7 teams. Really hate preseason rankings, I doubt OSU would be #1 if they weren't reigning champs and given the #1 spot for 'reasons' before a game was even played.
We have a long way to go but we are certainly in the mix for conversation. A few more injuries to some key positions and that could change right quick though.
I voted 4th as well But I'm only putting one Big 10 Team in.
#1 MSU
#2 Georgia
#3 Baylor
#4 Notre Dame
TCU has a lot of offense but they can't play defense against bad or average teams and neither can Baylor but I think they will both win out until they play one another and Baylor will win. Georgia is going to dominate the SEC East everyone else is pretty much garbage. I picked Michigan State over Ohio State because when it's all said and done I think Michigan State will win out and beat Ohio State. Notre Dame well I'm a fan and what else can I do but put them in the playoff when they are undefeated and playing well with everything that has happened to them.
I will not deny you your fun but I think it's just way too early to figure anything out yet. My thoughts have already changed so much from week to week. I think in two or three weeks I can have a much better grip on it. I need to see what Notre Dame does on the road for instance. Who thought USC would lose to Stanford one week ago? Who thought Ohio State would struggle with North Illinois? Some people had Auburn in the national championship discussion which I thought was crazy. The truth is that Florida State was a 7 point game and BC was moving the ball until they coughed up a fumble and lost by 14. It's super early. See Ohio State last season.
#6. Baby steps. I give us credit for opening with 3 power 5 teams and, regardless of the final score, we mauled a legit # 14 team. But, the fact that we let up holds us back a bit. Beating Clemson on the road and SC and then holding serve we will have earned a playoff spot.
I'm not sleeping on Ole Miss, LSU, Georgia to start. UCLA , Ohio State , Michigan State and of course Notre Dame just to name a few. Truth be told BYU even with a loss has looked pretty good.
I think conference champs will get bonus points in the end. ND will need to have one less loss than any other power conference champion to get in. A conference championship win will trump any ND win.