The race for the College Football Playoff is well underway as teams in the Bowl Subdivision dive into conference play. As predicted, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is living up to expectations, with a deep pool of contenders vying for a spot in the 12-team field. Georgia, Texas, and Alabama are leading the pack.

The Big Ten is also expected to have multiple representatives in the playoff hunt. Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State have all secured their positions in this week's cut. Meanwhile, in the Group of Five category, Memphis has emerged as a strong contender after a 3-0 start, including an impressive victory against Florida State.

In the ACC, Cam Ward and Miami have climbed to the top of the ladder, while Utah and Kansas State are making their mark as frontrunners in the Big 12. The path to the playoffs is becoming clearer as the season progresses.

The latest projection from USA TODAY Sports shows four SEC teams in the playoff bracket, with several others hovering just outside the conversation. It seems that the SEC will have more legitimate playoff contenders than any other Power Four league, as anticipated during the preseason. Notably, teams like Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt are unlikely candidates for the playoff mix.

One team that could potentially drop off the playoff radar as the SEC season intensifies is Oklahoma. Despite lackluster wins against Houston and Tulane, the Sooners have remained steady at No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. With upcoming games against tough opponents like Texas, Mississippi, Missouri, and LSU, Oklahoma's playoff hopes may fade away.

Georgia's close victory over Kentucky on Saturday night does not raise major concerns about the Bulldogs. They have a tendency to play down to their competition during early-season conference matchups. However, the final score of 13-12 reflects how the SEC's competitiveness may diminish the chances of multiple teams making the playoff.

The SEC hasn't seen more than four teams achieve double-digit wins during the regular season since 2012. This year, with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, reaching that threshold may prove even more challenging. It raises the question of whether more than four SEC teams will have the records and resumes to contend for the playoffs.

The selection committee faced a difficult decision when choosing between Tennessee and Ole Miss in this week's projection. While the Volunteers got the nod, the Rebels have displayed the potential to shake things up in the SEC. With upcoming games against Georgia and Oklahoma at home, as well as a road trip to LSU, Ole Miss has the opportunity to secure an at-large bid.

Notre Dame's loss to Northern Illinois may leave a lingering effect on their playoff chances. However, the Irish bounced back with an impressive victory over Purdue and are on track for a 10-win regular season. The journey ahead remains unpredictable, as they have already experienced an unexpected defeat.

The USC Trojans have looked impressive in their first two games, particularly with a notable win against LSU. However, they need LSU to regain their momentum after a sloppy victory over South Carolina. The upcoming game against Michigan will provide a clearer picture of USC's potential, even as the Wolverines struggle on offense.

Iowa State has the opportunity to secure a playoff spot by winning the Big 12 conference. Their road victory against rival Iowa has strengthened their case for an at-large bid. With a favorable schedule ahead, including games against Utah and Kansas State to close out the regular season, the Cyclones could remain in the playoff conversation until November.

Unbeaten Nebraska has positioned themselves for a climb in the rankings. Currently sitting at No. 22 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Cornhuskers have a schedule that could push them higher before their pivotal clash against Ohio State on October 26. Wins against Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, and Indiana are all within their reach.

Washington State has already proven their prowess with two victories against Power Four teams: Texas Tech and Washington. The majority of their remaining games come against Mountain West opponents, making road matchups against Boise State, Fresno State, and Oregon State crucial for their chances of securing an at-large berth.

Toledo has emerged as a trendy team in the Group of Five category after a dominant 41-17 win on the road against Mississippi State. This victory has helped the Rockets gain recognition in the Group of Five conversation. However, they will need to achieve at least 11 wins and rely on Memphis losing twice to surpass the advantages held by the American Athletic Conference over the Mid-American Conference.

As conference play intensifies, the race for the College Football Playoff becomes more intriguing. The SEC stands out as the frontrunner with a plethora of contenders, while other conferences like the Big Ten and ACC boast strong teams vying for playoff positions. With surprises and upsets along the way, the battle for a playoff spot promises to be an exhilarating journey for college football fans.