As we get set to turn the calendars to October, only eight teams have separated themselves as top contenders to win the national championship this season.

Some of them are obvious, some of them require a little more explanation, and a couple of them might get some people fired up in the comments. But I’m stamping this list heading into October that these are the top eight teams to watch that have a legit title shot after what we’ve seen so far this season, and I’m standing on it.

The obvious National Championship contenders

Texas is a national title contender with Arch Manning at the helm. Same goes for Ohio State, they are a national title contender with the way Jeremiah Smith is playing right now. Georgia belongs in the conversation, too. Those three don’t need much justification at this point in the season.

Miami is up there as well, although they really haven’t been tested yet. And frankly, I think I could say the same thing about Notre Dame. Both programs have the talent and the coaching to compete for a championship, but neither has faced the kind of opponent that makes you say, “Okay, they’re for real.” That’s coming down the schedule, and we’ll know a lot more about these two teams when it does.

Indiana is still on my list. I’m not going to overreact to some Friday night game against Northwestern. This team still has all the pieces to go back to back, and they’re a national title contender until someone proves otherwise.

The two wildcards nobody wants to talk about

Now here’s where it gets fun. I have two wildcard picks, and yes, they’re ranked high, but I don’t know if most people would qualify them as national title contenders just yet.

Alabama is the first one. The way that offense is humming and getting better every single week, it’s hard for me to not put them in this conversation. Everyone is focused on Kamario Taylor as one of the best young quarterbacks in the entire country, but Keelon Russell is really putting things together and improving week after week. This is the best version of the Kalen DeBoer offense that we’ve seen all year. There’s a ton of ballgame left to be played, but this Alabama team, with how talented they are, has the upside to go all the way.

And call me delusional, but I’m putting Oregon in here too. I’m keeping my national title pick from the preseason in this conversation. Do I think it’s likely? No. But do I think they have the upside, even with Dylan Raiola at the quarterback position, to get the job done? I do. And I think we saw that against USC, an inspired effort on the road to pull off the win. I have to keep them on this list.

You may say, Tegan, Oregon doesn’t belong anywhere near this conversation. You may say Alabama hasn’t earned it yet. And that’s fine. You could argue with the wall, you could disagree with me all day long. But I’m putting them in here, and I’m not backing down.

So, eight teams. That’s the number I have heading into October. And if any of them fall off, I’ll be the first one to take them out. But right now, this is the list.