Fifteen teams in the AP Top 25 Poll already have played four games.
Lurking outside the rankings is Colorado, which has stacked three wins -- including last weekend's dramatic, overtime-triumph against visiting Baylor -- against one road setback at Nebraska.
But four games into a season means tough conversations and perhaps tougher decisions.
Why? Because the NCAA's redshirt-rule now is a pressing topic of conversation. And the remainder of teams not yet at four games in this young season will get to that one-third of the schedule point this weekend.
Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman already has had at least one of those conversations this week; junior defensive back Jaden Mickey is electing to redshirt, finish his school and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after earning his Notre Dame degree. Mickey will have two years' eligibility remaining.
Deion Sanders is holding those talks right now. With players. After this weekend, Coach Prime might also be conducting high-level conversations with UCF coach Gus Malzahn.
"I've got love for him," Deion Sanders said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. "I mean after we play him, then I can call him for advice. He's not going to give me advice before. But he's one of the guys I would call for advice on certain situations that may occur with college football players.
"I'm pretty sure everybody's dealing with the guys that wants to redshirt. And, I think everybody's dealing with that right now. So, you're having those meetings.
"We're not the only ones having several meetings. I'm pretty sure a host of college football coaches are having those, and I would like to know how they deal with certain situations."
Coach Prime remembers a different head coach -- now voluntarily the offensive coordinator of the No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes -- offering an open line of communication.
"That's what Chip Kelly told me last year," Deion Sanders recalled. "He said, 'After the game, you can call me.'"
Colorado visits UCF Saturday in a battle of Big 12 residents thus far unbeaten in league play.
"Well, it's an honor. It's an honor," Coach Prime said of facing Malzahn, the former Arkansas and Auburn leader. "You've got to understand, I was a high school coach, visiting those guys and taking my kids on the college tours.
"Now to have the opportunity to coach on the same on the field, it's an honor. It's a tremendous honor."