The Third Saturday in October has a much different meaning in the state of Alabama. As a new resident, I learned quickly that no matter the result, things end up in smoke.

Tons of Crimson Tide players, fans, and many others end the game lighting victory cigars.

As smoked my cigar (a Rocky Patel, for those wondering) I thought about the state of college football as Week 8 ended on late Saturday night.

With each drag, the thoughts came to me. As corny as it sounds.

I thought about Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who will chew on the cigar but not smoke it. The look of relief, matched with budding excitement on the iconic coach’s face spoke volumes to me. It wasn’t the look of a head coach who felt lucky to come back from Tennessee on Saturday at Bryant Denny Stadium.

The look and attitude of Alabama’s Nick Saban said to me, he knows that this team has a hell of a lot to play entering the month of November. Everything they want to accomplish is right in front of them.

A few more drags, and my focus turned to Southern California and much like the cigars in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and on the balcony of my Birmingham apartment – things had gone up in smoke.

USC’s Caleb Williams had come back to USC for a few important reasons. Most notably, a College Football Playoff appearance.

In a matter of two weeks, 120 minutes, eight quarters, and two completely different opponents, it’s all gone up in smoke. USC’s back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Utah end all hopes of accomplishing anything significant in 2023. In a way, it’s the last time it will ever feel like that.

A 12-team college playoff only puts a team like USC’s hopes on life support, in 2024.

But in 2023? Those hopes went out like cigar smoke, drifting into the night sky, never to be seen again.

So after all of that, let’s rank some teams:

No. 25 Kansas (5-2): I really wanted to give USC a chance to stay ranked, but put them on a neutral field vs. a team like Kansas? Yeah, give me the Jayhawks.

No. 24 UNLV (6-1): That’s right, UNLV is 6-1! It’s the first you’re hearing of it too!

No. 23 Tulane (6-1): Tulane still with a shot of reaching a New Year’s Six bowl, just have to keep their noses clean.

No. 22 Kansas State (5-2): Following their stumble in Stillwater a few weeks ago, the Wildcats have rebounded with impressive victories over Texas Tech and TCU.

No. 21 James Madison (7-0): Coolest program in college football that can’t go to a bowl game, thanks a lot, NCAA!

No. 20 North Carolina (6-1): Virginia? Really?

No. 19 UCLA (5-1): Good teams going out there and beating the crap out of bad teams, UCLA got the memo as they put Stanford through a table. Up next, a showdown with Colorado.

No. 18 Tennessee (5-2): Next week’s game vs. Kentucky has much more meaning following their loss to Alabama. Things could go off a cliff in a hurry with back-to-back losses.

No. 17 Missouri (7-1): So, is Eli Drinkwitz the clubhouse leader for SEC Coach of the Year?

No. 16 Air Force (7-0): Another winning week, another week closer to seeing an awesome flyover at a New Year’s Six game. Keep the dream alive!

No. 15 Ole Miss (6-1): Imagine if this were a 12-team playoff season. We’d get to watch Lane Kiffin battle for a playoff spot. I need that in my life.

No. 14 Oregon State (6-1): The Beavers are 6-1 and still in the thick of the Pac-12 race. They’ve got a fun one against Arizona this coming week.

No. 13 LSU (6-1): LSU vs. Alabama in two weeks for what is basically the SEC West championship? Sign me up.

No. 12 Notre Dame (6-2): The playoff is gone, but the New Year’s Six is still a goal for the Fighting Irish.

No. 11 Penn State (6-1): Another year, and another Penn State flameout in the Big Ten East.

No. 10 Utah (6-1): There’s no Cam Rising, who is out for the rest of the season. However, Utah is still good enough to ruin Oregon and Washington’s seasons. Just ask USC.

No. 9 Alabama (7-1): Alabama seems to have their swagger back, bad news for the rest of the SEC.

No. 8 Oregon (6-1): Much like Alabama, Oregon can play their way into the CFP, but a loss and things change in a big way.

No. 7 Texas (6-1): Texas QB Quinn Ewers injury is something to monitor over the next few weeks.

No. 6 Oklahoma (7-0): The Sooners survive a wild one vs. Central Florida and now they face the Jayhawks of Kansas. Would not be shocked if OU is on upset alert in this one.

No. 5 Ohio State (7-0): Ohio State didn’t look impressive on offense once again, but that defense is tremendous.

No. 4 Washington (7-0): Every team who either reaches the CFP or wins a national title always wins a game that they had not business winning. Washington had that vs. Arizona State this past week.

No. 3 Florida State (7-0): Very impressive victory by Florida State over Duke, it was nice to see the Noles get challenged yet power through to win by double digits.

No. 2 Michigan (8-0): Michigan might be going through the NCAA’s version of “Spygate”, but they’re good enough to not need it after blasting Michigan State 49-0.

No. 1 Georgia (7-0): No Brock Bowers with games vs. Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Tennessee on the horizon? That might be worth paying attention to.

What does next season’s 12-team playoff look like in 2023?

Projected 12-team CFP seedings and matchups (The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl are the semifinal sites this season)

No. 12 Air Force (highest ranked G5) at No. 5 Ohio State

No. 11 Penn State at No. 6 Oklahoma

No. 10 Utah at No. 7 Texas

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oregon

Projected CFP Quarterfinals

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 vs. No. 9 winner

Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 6 vs. No. 11 winner

Orange Bowl: No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 7 vs. No. 10 winner

Cotton Bowl: No. 4 Washington vs. No. 5 vs. No. 12 winner