The newly expanded College Football Playoff has started to influence the regular season significantly, altering perceptions of team losses and increasing the number of squads still vying for the national championship.

This is the main insight after the first month of the 2024 season, which has, otherwise, unfolded quite predictably.

At the top, Alabama remains a dominant force even during the transition from Nick Saban to new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Texas has built on last year’s success, earning the top spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, Ohio State has flawlessly integrated new quarterback Will Howard, positioning itself as the clear frontrunner in the Big Ten.

However, there are some noteworthy surprises. Under Deion Sanders, Colorado is on pace for at least six wins and a potential bowl game appearance. Conversely, Indiana has made a remarkable start, one of the best in its program’s history. On the downside, Florida State is making a case for being among the most disappointing teams in Power Four history.

With plenty of football to play before a national champion is crowned, YSL News Sports reviews the opening month of the regular season:

Top Team: Alabama

Alabama takes the lead over Texas after a victory against Georgia on Saturday. The Longhorns make a solid case with a road win against Michigan to start the season and a strong performance in SEC play against Mississippi State. However, Alabama holds the edge due to its impressive victory that stands out among all FBS teams.

Most Improved Team: Miami

Miami has surged to the top of the ACC after an average start under coach Mario Cristobal. Several factors contribute to this improvement — enhanced player depth and a much stronger pass defense, to name a few — but the most significant boost appears to come from the arrival of quarterback Cam Ward.

Heisman Trophy Leader: Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter recorded a touchdown and an interception during Saturday’s dominant victory over Central Florida, which was expected by many. With the Buffaloes advancing toward bowl eligibility, Hunter possesses the reputation, visibility, and performance needed to contend for the Heisman Trophy, establishing himself as one of the greatest individual talents in college football history.

Heisman Trophy Dark Horse: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty’s statistics are hard to overlook. In four games, he has amassed 845 yards averaging 10.3 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns, including 192 yards and three touchdowns in a close loss to Oregon (37-34). He also achieved 259 yards and four touchdowns against Washington State, but his best performance came in the opener against Georgia Southern, where he racked up 267 yards and six touchdowns.

Best Coach: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama

Stepping in for Nick Saban represents a monumental challenge for a first-year coach. DeBoer has taken full advantage of this opportunity. Alabama’s offense has been exceptional and is expected to improve further as the team adapts to his system, suggesting that the impressive win over Georgia might just be the beginning of an extraordinary season for the Crimson Tide.

Best First-Year Coach: Curt Cignetti, Indiana

While DeBoer could easily fit here too, we must give Cignetti notable recognition for guiding Indiana to its first 5-0 start since 1967. This year also marks the last time the program secured a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance. Although replicating that achievement seems unlikely, the Hoosiers could emerge as a potential playoff contender come November.

Biggest Surprises: Army and Navy

Both Army and Navy are 4-0 for the first time since 1945, reminiscent of earlier days and climbing the rankings in the Group of Five. The Midshipmen marked a significant win against Memphis while excelling offensively, sitting in the top nine nationally for average yards per game, yards per carry, and scoring. Army has triumphed in each game by at least 17 points. It’s possible for these teams to collide in the American Athletic Conference championship and then face off again in their yearly matchup just a week later.

Biggest Disappointment: Florida State

The Seminoles have faced a harsh reality after last year’s ACC championship and narrow playoff miss. Their season is marred by an ugly win against California and losses to Georgia Tech, Boston College, Memphis, and SMU. The latter was a stark 42-16 defeat, putting Florida State at risk of missing bowl eligibility entirely. The transfer portal, which previously benefited Florida State and coach Mike Norvell, has not compensated for the significant player losses sustained from last year’s squad.

Biggest Upset: Northern Illinois 16, Notre Dame 14

Northern Illinois, entering South Bend as a 28-point underdog, stunned Notre Dame, putting the Fighting Irish’s playoff aspirations in jeopardy. Additionally, the Huskies have lost subsequent games against Buffalo and North Carolina State. On a positive note for Notre Dame, they have bounced back with three consecutive victories and still harbor playoff hopes if they can maintain their momentum without further setbacks.

Top Game: Alabama 41, Georgia 34

Alabama jumped to an early 28-0 lead in the second quarter but had to fend off a remarkable comeback by Georgia, which briefly took the lead before Alabama pulled ahead again in the final moments of the game. While this competitive road loss isn’t detrimental to Georgia’s playoff hopes, questions linger about the Bulldogs’ defensive performance and quarterback Carson Beck’s play as they prepare for upcoming matches against Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Coach on the Hot Seat: Billy Napier, Florida

It seems that Napier’s position is fraught with uncertainty, leading to discussions about potential replacements for him at Florida. With an even record of 2-2 after four weeks, the Gators are heading into a particularly challenging portion of their schedule. Upcoming opponents include Central Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Mississippi, and Florida State, making the path to bowl eligibility look quite steep.

Top Freshman: Ryan Williams, Alabama

It’s easy to forget that Williams is just 17 years old, given his exceptional performance. He has recorded 16 receptions for 462 yards, averaging an impressive 28.9 yards per catch along with six touchdowns, including a spectacular catch-and-run that helped Alabama defeat Georgia. Another noteworthy freshman is Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who has also performed well with 19 catches for 364 yards and five touchdowns.

Outstanding Transfer: Cam Ward, Miami

Ward has proven to be a game-changer for the Hurricanes and stands out as one of the most significant transfers in the era of NIL. The former Washington State player leads the FBS with 18 touchdown passes and ranks fourth with an average of 11.1 yards per attempt, along with 146 rushing yards. Thanks to Ward’s electrifying performance, Miami is currently the frontrunner in the ACC.