It’s a new era of college football. 

When the College Football Playoff committee starts releasing rankings later this season, they aren’t going to be the end-all, be-all given the new seeding rules of the 12-team field. But the rankings are still fun and people are still going to fight over them. They still matter. 

So after every weekend, after the dust settles from the games, I’m going to unveil my updated top 10. Here is the latest edition: 

1.  Alabama (4-0) 

Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead on Georgia in the first half. Yes, you read that right. Though the game ultimately didn’t end in a blowout — the Bulldogs took a fourth quarter lead, believe it or not — Alabama illustrated that it should be the favorite to win the national title this year. Quarterback Jalen Milroe continues to prove he’s a much-improved player, true freshman receiver Ryan Williams is the sport’s next big star and the Crimson Tide’s defense is really good. Coach Kalen DeBoer passed his first big test as Alabama’s head coach and the Crimson Tide own the best win in college football this year. Last week’s rank: 5

2. Texas (5-0) 

Arch Manning made his second-consecutive start in place of Quinn Ewers and threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, including an absolute dime to receiver Isaiah Bond for a 49-yard score in the second quarter. Texas fell one spot in this poll because Alabama now owns the top win, but the Longhorns enter the open week with a chance to get Ewers healthy before facing Oklahoma on Oct. 12. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the Georgia-Alabama, but let’s not forget the Longhorns belong on the field with both of those teams.
Last week’s rank: 1 

3. Tennessee (4-0) 

Last week, Tennessee went into Norman and got an emotional victory over Oklahoma. It was head coach Josh Heupel’s homecoming and the Volunteers honored their coach with an easy win that showed the entire country they are for real. This couldn’t have been a better weekend for a bye, as Tennessee can now hit the reset button and focus on the tough SEC schedule coming down the pike. 
Last week’s rank: 3 

4. Ohio State (4-0) 

Ohio State’s first game against a Power 4 opponent came Saturday. The Buckeyes went on the road and beat Michigan State, 38-7. The usual suspects played well for Ohio State, but freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to show he’s one of the best freshman players in the history of college football. His one-handed touchdown grab before halftime was one of the best catches of the year. The Buckeyes have the weapons on both sides of the ball to win the national title this year. Their game against Oregon on Oct. 12 cannot come fast enough. 
Last week’s rank: 4

5. Georgia (3-1)

This is going to make people mad. Despite losing to Alabama on Saturday night, the Bulldogs still check in at No. 5, ahead of other unbeaten teams who have looked very good this year. But in this new 12-team College Football Playoff, we have to re-wire our brains on how we react to losses. In reality, Georgia could have laid down after getting blown off the field by the Crimson Tide in the first half. Instead, it answered some big questions, mainly if it had the offensive skill to exist in a shootout game. It’s a tough loss, no question, but you don’t walk away from the Alabama-Georgia game feeling as if the loser is no longer a legitimate national title contender. Georgia can still beat anyone in the country.
Last week’s rank: 2

6. Oregon (4-0)

Oregon’s start to the season was ugly. It played in a one-possession game in the fourth quarter against Idaho in its opener and almost lost to Boise State in its second game. Because of those clunkers, we haven’t been paying as much attention to the Ducks as they otherwise would deserve. After blowing out UCLA 34-13 on Saturday — a game in which it amassed 433 yards of offense — the Ducks seem to be finding their groove. We’ll learn a lot more about Oregon in two weeks when it hosts Ohio State.
Last week’s rank: 6

7. Miami (5-0)

Had a lengthy review of the thrilling last-second Hail Mary gone the other away, Miami would have found itself with a loss and outside of this top-10. But Miami, which spent most of the game getting its butt kicked by Virginia Tech, found a way to win. How do you judge this game? It’s hard, especially because many felt like Virginia Tech was a dark horse to win the ACC before the year. We still have more to find out about this Hurricanes team, but quarterback Cam Ward delivered in crunch time and Miami won a game it would have lost in previous years. That’s progress.
Last week’s rank: 7

8. Penn State (4-0)

We’re still trying to gather context on just who this Penn State team is this year, but Saturday’s 21-7 win over Illinois was a nice addition to its resume. Though it seemed odd to many that Penn State was almost a three-touchdown favorite over a very solid Illinois team, the Nittany Lions were in control from start to finish, holding the Illini to less than 220 yards of total offense. Next up for Penn State is UCLA at home before traveling to Los Angeles to face USC in the Coliseum.
Last week’s rank: 10

9. Missouri (4-0)

The last time Missouri played, the Tigers escaped an overtime game against Vanderbilt with a win. Though we’re programmed to think anyone who struggles with Vanderbilt automatically stinks, the Commodores are a really functional team and Missouri won its clunker. Next weekend, Missouri travels to Texas A&M and has a chance to flex its muscles against a tough opponent in a loud environment.
Last week’s rank: 9

10. Clemson (3-1)

It seems like yesterday Clemson got destroyed by Georgia. Having the Tigers ranked in the top-10 is sure to elicit some emotion, but who do you put here instead? The Michigan team who can’t throw the football? The USC team Michigan beat? The LSU team USC beat? The Notre Dame team who lost to Northern Illinois? We’re a little more than a month into the season and it’s already getting chaotic, but Clemson has responded to that season-opening loss to Georgia with three blowout wins. The offense seems to have figured things out. The defense has athletes. You can say with a straight face now that Clemson is the ACC favorite.
Last week’s rank: NR

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