We’ve been accustomed to the college football world having a small handful of programs that exist in a different orbit. The planet that has shined brightest the past decade, of course, has been Alabama. The Crimson Tide have been closely tracked by Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma, with occasional interlopes from schools like Georgia and Notre Dame.
On Saturday, the grand equalizers of college football in 2021 – a true home-field advantage, the presence of super seniors and the consistent three-and-done talent drain from top programs – emerged as a reminder that this season may not end up as predictable as we have feared.