Forget everything you thought you knew in August.

At the midpoint of the season, Penn State has three losses, Clemson has three losses, Texas is trying to claw its way back into the playoff conversation, and undefeated Indiana is ... a top five team?!

"This showed the country we're a real team," Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza told reporters after the Hoosiers' 30-20 win at Oregon. "We're not just a one-hit wonder."

Separation has started to occur, true playoff contenders have begun to emerge through statement wins, and the battle for No. 1 is ongoing. Alabama has made a case for the selection committee's top one-loss team, and Notre Dame has battled back after an 0-2 start to position itself as the top two-loss team.

The jockeying for top seeds, first-round byes and first-rou

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