AAC

Army and Navy are both ranked for the first time since 1960, and leading the forefront for the conference. Then, there’s 5-1 Memphis that unfortunately lost to Navy earlier this season and trying to stay in the hunt for the AAC title game. One team that no one’s talking about is North Texas, who’s 5-1. Unfortunately, they run into a 3-straight week gauntlet schedule. Tulane faces North Texas before they end their last two weeks against Navy and Memphis. The conference is wide open, but it would be nice to see both undefeated military schools not only play each other traditionally, but also in the AAC title game for the CFP. This military brat can dream.

C-USA

This used to be about Liberty and everyone else. Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State is very much in this too. However, Sam Houston State enters the C-USA chat with a 5-1 record. It sounds like an in-conference four-team playoff, but all four of those teams compete for two spots in the conference title game. FIU and Louisiana Tech aren’t far behind and could spoil one of them. In any case, a team not named Liberty is aiming to end their undefeated streak.

FBS INDEPENDENT

Notre Dame’s still very much alive for a home CFP game, but their last six games are a treacherous after what seemed to be the biggest cakewalk schedule a few weeks ago. And then there’s UConn that’s 4-2. They have bowl aspirations, but can they win at least two more games by season’s end to make bowl-eligibility???

MAC

The MAC conference is wide open with none showing any separation (thanks to the transfer portal siphoning MAC talents). Buffalo, Ohio, and Western Michigan are 2-0 in-conference, but don’t count out Toledo, Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), or Eastern Michigan. Can Bowling Green and Central Michigan still contend??? Of all MAC teams, Ball State’s scoring the most points and allowing the most points in-conference. I really wish the Cardinals could be something if their defense gets it together.

MOUNTAIN WEST

This conference is all about Boise State and UNLV. San Diego State’s also 2-0 alongside them, but it’s hard to imagine they have enough firepower to keep up. Colorado State’s capable of it, but their defense can’t. San Jose State could be a dark horse Mountain West contender. Fresno State unfortunately doesn’t have the firepower to stay with Boise and already got blown out by UNLV earlier. New Mexico may sneak their way in if their lucky because they don’t play either UNLV or Boise. Wyoming unfortunately faces Boise, but they have homefield in hopes of spoiling their chances.

PAC-2 (Somehow Still Called Pac-12)

Washington State and Oregon State are staying above .500 and competing, even though it’s against mostly Mountain West teams and their own in-state rivals. Washington State’s 5-1 with one loss against Boise State, which is a good loss in the long run. Meanwhile, Oregon State’s 4-2 with losses to Oregon and my alum school Nevada. The new Pac-12 is shaping for the future, but at least these two showed they could be on the forefront of this new foundation.

SUN BELT

The East doesn’t have any separation, but it’s hard to believe that James Madison won’t be in contention. Defeating Georgia Southern can create separation. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern is at the top in hopes to stay there if they defeat JMU. Coastal Carolina must bounce back after losing to James Madison while Marshall needs luck and help to be in contention. What and who are UL Monroe? They were bottom feeders for decades. Now, they’re 3-0 in their conference, at the top of their division, and 5-1 overall with a Cinderella mindset. Their in-state rival, Louisiana, is right beside them for the Sun Belt title race. Dark horse CFP team Texas State is still in this and must defeat the state of Louisiana to be there. Arkansas State’s race got harder after losing to Texas State while South Alabama might be the only team left to play spoiler.