Following its emotional win at USC on Saturday night, Oregon ascended to the No. 12 spot in the latest College Football Playoff projection. At No. 12, the Ducks became the very definition of a bubble team -- right on the cusp of earning a CFP bid but not quite secure in the playoff pecking order. There are worse places to be heading into October. As the heart of conference play begins, true separation begins, but September gave the CFP selection committee clues it will refer to throughout the season and bubble teams to keep an eye on moving forward.

Below, one CFP contender in the spotlight for each Power 4 league and another identified as an enigma -- one that is quietly brewing with potential but still impossible to figure out. With a month of results now, more categories help sort it out, differentiating teams on the right side of the bubble from those precariously hanging on to the wrong side of it. Remember, any Power 4 team that still has a chance to win its conference can reach the playoff, as each of those four league champions is guaranteed a spot this year.

The dreaded category of "out" makes its 2026 season debut as well. For these schools, it is better luck next year. This will be your weekly snapshot of where each Power 4 conference stands, along with the top Group of 6 contenders and Notre Dame. Jump to a conference: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC | Independent | Group of 6