With over a quarter of the college football season completed, we now have some valuable insights to assess what we’ve seen so far. However, the full picture is still unfolding, as numerous teams are yet to start their conference games. In other words, there is still ample opportunity for dramatic overreactions.

This week’s five biggest overreactions include a fresh look at the playoff potential of some teams with one loss, a bit of premature prediction on conference champions, and an overview of the competitive race among the group-of-five leagues. Although this analysis might hold less significance than previously, especially since the SEC dominated last week’s discussion, we will focus on different conferences this time around.

Michigan is Poised to Repeat as National Champion

Michigan’s prospects of repeating a championship feel brighter after their victory against Southern California, and their Week 2 loss to Texas isn’t necessarily disqualifying. However, the road ahead for the Wolverines to reach the playoffs—either by winning the Big Ten or as an at-large team—remains uncertain.

While Michigan showcased some significant running plays against the Trojans, their offense tends to lean heavily on one strategy. This cautious approach of controlling the game and minimizing risks could be effective against certain opponents, but their upcoming schedule includes several high-scoring teams that could challenge them. Although the Wolverines are in contention, they need more strong performances to firm up their playoff chances.

Notre Dame Still Has a Chance for an At-Large Bid

The Fighting Irish took care of their own business last weekend, avoiding a second loss to a Mid-American Conference opponent. However, other results didn’t go in Notre Dame’s favor.

One significant blow came from the team that handed the Irish their earlier defeat, as Northern Illinois lost its MAC opener to Buffalo. Additionally, while Notre Dame posted a strong comeback win against Purdue, it won’t hold much weight since the Boilermakers were overwhelmed by Oregon State. Also, a loss by USC, a future opponent for Notre Dame, didn’t help their cause. Fortunately, Texas A&M managed to defeat Bowling Green, but it remains uncertain how well Notre Dame’s Week 1 victory against the Aggies will hold up. The Irish’s upcoming game against Louisville offers another opportunity to impress against a ranked opponent, but many factors influencing Notre Dame’s playoff hopes are beyond their control. More on Louisville in the next section.

Clemson vs. Miami in the ACC Title Game is All But Certain

The Tigers seem to have found their rhythm after being dominated by Georgia in Week 1, while the Hurricanes are cruising past their opponents. With most other expected contenders in the ACC faltering, Clemson and Miami appear to be on a direct path toward facing each other. Notably, the Tigers won’t clash with the Hurricanes during the regular season, and Clemson’s remaining schedule seems fairly clear of obstacles.

However, there is another team in the conference that might still play a role in this outcome. No, it’s not Florida State—they will face both the ‘Canes and the Tigers but have not shown they can contend with either.

As you might suspect, we’re talking about Louisville. The Cardinals were ACC title contenders last season and will host Miami on October 19 before traveling to Death Valley two weeks later. They will need to win at least one of those games to keep their title hopes alive. While a Clemson-Miami matchup seems the most likely for the championship game, nothing is guaranteed in this unpredictable sport.

Hand the Big 12 Trophy to Utah Already

After their victory against Oklahoma State and the faltering of their Kansas rivals, the Utes are clearly in control of their new conference early on. Their remaining schedule looks manageable with just a couple of potential challenges ahead.

Fans in Utah are likely eagerly anticipating November 9 when the Utes face their longtime rivals, Brigham Young. The Cougars, who are also unbeaten at 4-0 after a surprising win over Kansas State, add another layer of excitement to this impending clash. Following that, Utah will have to face a revitalized Iowa State a few weeks later. While other unexpected factors could arise, Utah is the front-runner. How they manage being the favorites will be a key storyline moving forward.

James Madison is Headed for the College Football Playoff

James Madison’s impressive 70-point performance against North Carolina definitely caught the attention of college football fans. Is it possible for this rapid rise from an FCS powerhouse to a Sun Belt contender to lead them to a playoff appearance this soon? It’s a possibility, but many other teams are also vying for that spot.

Keep in mind that only the top-ranking conference champion from the Group of Five leagues qualifies for the current playoff system. If the Dukes manage to win the Sun Belt, which is uncertain given the strength of other teams in that conference, they will need to outperform the champions from the other four non-power leagues. The recent defeats of Northern Illinois and Memphis were advantageous; however, there are still numerous contenders from the American Athletic and Mountain West conferences in play. In short, there’s a lot to observe as conference action is set to kick off more seriously nationwide. Enjoy the games!