In the early afternoon of this past Saturday, there was a moment when three schools: Kansas State, Penn State, and Oklahoma State were all struggling against teams they were favored to beat.

Now, moments where the team favored to win is on the losing end of a game in progress is never new. However, sometimes, you get a sixth sense that it may be a sign of things to come.

Those three schools I mentioned all won their games. Yet, when Notre Dame was faced with their own situation that the previous three had faced, the Fighting Irish folded like a cheap tent in a 16-14 upset loss to Northern Illinois.

In a game that paid the Huskies $1.4 million dollars to just show up to South Bend, the payout also ignites the much talked-about race to the playoff.

No, not the race that teams like Notre Dame, Texas, Miami, and Alabama are in. But the race for the No. 12 (or higher) spot that goes to the highest-ranked Group of 5 program.

With NIU’s win over Notre Dame, not only does the MAC have a signature win, but now they join the Mountain West, American, and Sun Belt conferences with teams that people will perhaps keep an eye on for the coveted G5 bid into the playoff.

By the end of next week, we will be at the halfway point of September and while we have a long way to go, it seems like we are set up for a battle royal featuring the following schools:

• Northern Illinois
• Boise State
• Liberty
• Texas State
• Memphis
• Appalachian State

Before we get to that, what does the AL.com Top 25 look like this week?

1. Georgia–Sept. 28, Georgia at Alabama. That is all.
2. Ohio State–Stop me if you’ve heard this before, Ohio State looks scary.
3. Texas–Speaking of looking scary, the Longhorns looked the part of a contender beating Michigan on Saturday.
4. Oregon–Right now, there’s a large gap between No. 3 and No. 4. It might take a while for teams to close that gap.
5. Alabama–Before Georgia, Alabama has to face Wisconsin. Good luck.
6. Penn State–I still don’t know what to make of the Nittany Lions.
7. Ole Miss–Call me when they face a real challenge.
8. Utah–Ok Utah, you can stop beating up on Baylor now.
9. Miami–Far and away the best team in the ACC. Don’t let Boston College hear that I said it.
10. Missouri–I want to keep an eye on this Missouri team over the next few weeks.
11. Oklahoma State–Could’ve qualified for weirdest game of the day, then Boise State-Oregon happened.
12. Tennessee–The Vols offense is good, very good.
13. Kansas State–This week’s best game may be on a Friday when K-State hosts Arizona in Manhattan.
14. Michigan--Yeah, 2023 is a long way away from here.
15. USC–Lincoln Riley showing shades of vintage USC with this high-flying offense.
16. Nebraska–I’m digging Nebraska so far in 2024, should be undefeated when they face Ohio State later this season.
17. Boise State–Despite the loss to Oregon, they’re the clubhouse leader for the G5 bid.
18. Notre Dame–The CFP isn’t completely dead, but Notre Dame fans might want to practice the last rites.
19. Arizona–The inaugural Big 12 game on the road at Kansas State? Yikes. Good luck, Cats.
20. Louisville–With SMU seemingly not going to be among the ACC contenders, Louisville isn’t a bad dark horse at this point.
21. Clemson–Clemson putting up 60+ on a good App. State team is a pretty good sign they’re not completely out of it.
22. Vanderbilt–Let’s just enjoy Vandy being ranked while we can.
23. LSU–On the road at South Carolina, biggest SEC game for Brian Kelly since Alabama in ‘22?
24. Northern Illinois–I mean, do I have to say anything else? You all saw it.
25. Liberty–Back to Back G5 bids are still available for the Flames.

If the season ended today, what does a 12-team playoff look like? There’s always a good time for bracketology, right?

(No. 5 vs. No. 12)–Texas vs. Boise State

(No. 6 vs. No. 11)–Oregon vs. Oklahoma State

(No. 7 vs. No. 10)–Alabama vs. Miami

(No. 8 vs. No. 9)–Penn State vs. Missouri

1. Georgia vs. 8 vs. 9 winner.
2. Ohio State vs. 7 vs. 10 winner.
3. Utah vs. 6 vs. 11 winner.
4. Miami vs. 5 vs. 12 winner.