Bowl projections: Utah into CFP bracket as new Big 12 favorite, Alabama moves to No. 2 seed

That was quite a road statement in the SEC by Keelon Russell and the Alabama offense.

The Crimson Tide's 56-23 thumping against previously unbeaten Mississippi State should answer any lingering questions about Alabama's status as a College Football Playoff title contender this season.

Updated bowl and College Football Playoff projections after Week 5 feature a surging Alabama team setting the pace in college football's most unforgiving conference, alongside Georgia, who will meet the Crimson Tide next week. The SEC holds two of the projected top four seeds, which doesn't include top-ranked Texas, a reminder that its contenders are jockeying for first-round byes while trying to survive the weekly grind.

Ask previously unbeaten Florida about its unforgiving reality check at Missouri.

October has barely arrived, but the stakes already feel like November. Elsewhere, postseason destinations continue to shift as contenders separate themselves and preseason favorites lose ground. Here's where the bowl picture stands nearing the midseason point across college football.

We've updated our playoff bracket projections and full list of bowl games after Week 5. A couple of new teams entered our postseason lookahead, and there are major changes within the CFP top 12.

Projection: South Carolina State vs. Alabama State

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/