Alabama and Ohio State have lost. Clemson has lost twice. Georgia is in pole position for a first national title in more than 40 years. But in a college football year of the unexpected, perhaps the most startling news is this: Cincinnati is the No. 2 team in the country.
With a record of 6-0, the Bearcats are now in line to be the first non-Power 5 team to make the four-team College Football Playoff. (Notre Dame is an independent in football, but its storied history, huge fan base and big budget mean it is considered the equivalent of a Power 5 team.