Back in 1971, prior to the concept of the College Football Playoff or nachos, the Big Eight placed three teams atop the final Associated Press poll: 1. Nebraska, 2. Oklahoma, 3. Colorado.
The ACC Atlantic Division won’t match that this season without annexing Tuscaloosa. The ACC dream of placing two teams in the playoff is unlikely, too. But with No. 2 Florida State, No. 5 Clemson and No. 10 Louisville in the AP top 10, no college division or conference two weeks into the season has three more formidable teams.
Part I of a three-part Atlantic playoff starts Saturday at noon in Louisville, where ESPN’s GameDay is on hand to welcome Florida State.