Wins and losses at beginning of season can make or break a team's CFP chances

Think of college football in slightly different terms. Something like the Indianapolis 500.

In this era of the College Football Playoff, the official race doesn't begin until October, when committee members launch the weekly rankings that ultimately determine which four teams play for the national championship.

But anyone starting too far back in the pack won't have much chance of catching up by December, so the early weeks of the season are like