It's not about "The U" being back. Not yet.
It's not even about Florida or Billy Napier's job security. That's been a topic for far too long.
No. 4 Miami beat the Gators 26-7 at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday in a rain-soaked, slow track, which continued the Hurricanes' continued climb in September under Mario Cristobal.
Miami has dudes in the trenches, and that showed in victories against Notre Dame and Florida this month. There are hints that magic is back, and the site of Michael Irvin cheering on the sidelines will never get old.
The Hurricanes limited Florida to 32 total yards, including four rushing yards, and just one first down in the first half. The second half was better, but the Gators finished the night 0 of 13 on third down and managed just 141 total yards.
Don't look now, but all of a sudden Miami and Florida State have put the ACC in good position for multiple playoff berths. The Hurricanes and Seminoles will meet on Oct. 4 in what should be the first top-10 matchup between the schools since 2013. That was the year before the College Football Playoff era started.
Miami also has the conference in position for a first-round bye, something Clemson did not achieve last season as the ACC champion. With Clemson sitting at 1-3, it looks like the Hurricanes and Seminoles have picked the right time to re-emerge.
Here is a look at our College Football Playoff Bracketology heading into a loaded Week 5, with the top four teams, the projected first-round matchups and the teams on the college football playoff bubble:
Dropped out: Illinois, Iowa State, Tulane
Moved in: Indiana, Memphis, Texas Tech
Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Ohio State (3-0, Big Ten champion)
The Buckeyes average 40.3 points per game and allow just 5.3 points per game. Ohio State has looked like the most-complete team among the true national championship contenders, with a handful of All-American candidates leading the way. Jeremiah Smith (20 catches, 315 yards, 3 TDs) should emerge as the Heisman front-runner in the next few weeks. Ohio State plays at Washington in Week 4.
No. 2 Georgia (3-0, SEC champion)
The Bulldogs remain our projected SEC champion heading into the matchup with Alabama in Week 5. Georgia has four players with at least 100 yards rushing, and Gunner Stockton (721 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) has settled into the starting role. Georgia can separate from the other SEC contenders with a home victory against the Crimson Tide in Week 5, but the Dawgs' pass defense will need to hold up against Ty Simpson.
No. 3 Penn State (3-0, Big Ten at-large)
Penn State gets its early-season moment with coach James Franklin against Oregon in Week 5 after a bye week. Drew Allar has been solid this season, and was great against the Ducks last year with 226 yards and three TDs in the Big Ten championship game last season. Yet another chance for the polarizing QB to show out - or struggle - in the spotlight.
No. 4 Miami (4-0, ACC champion)
Carson Beck (17 of 30, 160 yards, INT) didn't have his best game in the rain against Florida Saturday, but running back Mark Fletcher Jr. picked up the slack with 116 yards and a TD. We have had false alarms with Miami in the past, but this team feels different on the offensive and defensive lines. The matchup against the Seminoles should be amazing – and Miami might not play another ranked team after that.
Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 4 of the college football season:
No. 12 Memphis (4-0, American champion) at No. 5 LSU (4-0, SEC at-large)
Say hello to Memphis, which upset Arkansas 32-31 behind 290 combined rushing yards from Sutton Smith and Brendon Lewis, who also threw for 199 yards. The Tigers get USF and Navy at home in American Conference play. LSU beat Southeast Louisiana 56-10 to improve to 4-0 under Brian Kelly. If you want the Tigers ahead of the Bulldogs in the SEC, think again. Georgia's victory against Tennessee looks better than LSU's win against Clemson right now. LSU faces Ole Miss in what should be a fantastic SEC matchup in Week 5.
No. 11 Oklahoma (4-0, SEC at-large) vs. No. 6 Oregon (4-0, Big Ten at-large)
The Sooners sacked former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold 10 times in a 24-17 victory against Auburn that kept their unbeaten season alive in an impressive first month for coach Brent Venables. John Mateer (24 of 36, 271 yards, TD) led the go-ahead TD drive after the Tigers took a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter. Dante Moore (21 of 31, 305 yards, 4 TDs) added 53 yards rushing, and the Ducks outgained the Beavers 585-147. Oregon gets its chance to move up the rankings at Penn State in Week 5.
MORE: Oklahoma's D dominates in win over Auburn
No. 10 Texas Tech (4-0, Big 12 champion) vs. No. 7 Florida State (3-0, ACC at-large)
Texas Tech moves into the Big 12 spot after an impressive 34-10 victory at Utah – one that will be remembered for backup quarterback Will Hammond (13 of 16, 169 yards, 2 TDs) filling in for Behren Morton, who left the game with a head injury. The Red Raiders flashed a nasty defense that allowed 263 yards and four turnovers. Florida State beat Kent State 66-10, but there is concern after quarterback Thomas Casellanos (10 of 13, 205 yards, INT) left the game after putting up 54 yards and 2 TDs. Kevin Sperry and Brock Glenn split time at quarterback in Castellanos' absence, and the Seminoles open ACC play at Virginia on Friday.
No. 9 Indiana (4-0, Big Ten at-large) vs. No. 8 Texas (3-1, Big 12 at-large)
Indiana could make a jump in the polls after a 63-10 victory against Illinois on Saturday that affirmed Curt Cignetti has another playoff-caliber team. We think the Big Ten is good for four playoff teams again. Fernando Mendoza (21 of 23, 267 yards, 5 TDs) shredded, and the Hoosiers had 312 rushing yards and seven sacks. Indiana plays at Iowa in Week 5. Texas beat Sam Houston 55-0, and Arch Manning (18 of 21, 309 yards, 3 TDs) silenced the critics – at least for a week. The Longhorns allowed 113 total yards. Texas has a bye week before a trip to Florida on Oct. 4.
MORE: Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers reaching even greater heights
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
Ole Miss (4-0)
Ole Miss has a chance to complete its first perfect September under Lane Kiffin since 2022. The Rebels hammered Tulane in a 45-10 blowout where quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (17 of 27, 307 yards, 2 TDs) continued to shine in place of Austin Simmons (ankle). Chambliss added 94 rushing yards and a TD. Ole Miss limited the Green Wave to 174 total yards. Ole Miss can make its case against LSU in Week 5.
Iowa State (4-0)
The Cyclones could be leap-frogged in the polls by the Red Raiders, and the teams do not meet in the regular season. That could be good for the Big 12 if the conference wants to get two playoff teams in. Rocco Becht led Iowa State to an impressive first month with 860 passing yards, seven TDs and an interception. The Cyclones resume action coming off a bye week against Arizona in Week 5.
Texas A&M (3-0)
Texas A&M had a bye week after the dramatic 41-40 victory at Notre Dame. Now, Mike Elko begins the SEC grind with three straight home games against Auburn, Mississippi State and Florida. Texas A&M might not face another ranked opponent until the Oct. 25 matchup at LSU. Marcel Reed – who has 869 passing yards, 9 TDs and one interception – should continue to keep Texas A&M rolling.
Georgia Tech (4-0)
The Yellow Jackets handled business in a 45-24 victory against Temple. Haynes King (13 of 18, 161 yards, 2 TDs) only had eight carries for 15 yards and a TD, and that's a good thing to limit hits. Jamal Haynes (12-107) had his first 100-yard game of the season. Georgia Tech is in the ACC mix – and the conference schedule continues at Wake Forest in Week 5.
Vanderbilt (4-0)
The Commodores now have our attention. Vanderbilt avenged last year's upset with a 70-21 victory against Georgia State in Week 4. Diego Pavia (18 of 24, 245 yards, TD) had 86 rushing yards and one of the Commodores' eight rushing TDs. Clark Lea might have a special team here, and we have them ahead of Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri, at least for this week. Vanderbilt plays Utah State in Week 5.
MORE: Meet Fernando Mendoza, Indiana's star QB