Based on Alab pre-season rating, I saw they were set up to be able to SURVIVE one loss somewhere. That's the most obvious one.
And Tenn/GEO out of the east will have built up too much goodwill, if they get to 12-0.
Ohio St a clear 3rd team. To your point, maybe it is MICH.
I have grown tired of the four-team system. I actually wish they would SPLIT the FBS into:
*Major
*Minor
Roughly 64 teams each. Give the Minor teams a chance, would be fun.