College football has a Central Florida problem. It’s also an anyone-but-Power-5-conference problem. There is no room for Cinderella in the sport, no shot for the little guy to play for a championship, no chance to replicate basketball’s version of March Madness that has become so popular.

Central Florida has become the poster child for this issue, courtesy of its nation’s-best 23-game winning streak that has shone a light on the inequality in the sport. While last year’s national championship claim — which included a parade — was over the top, it was also needed, a fun story of an overlooked school standing up for itself.

ESPN gave the Knights the spotlight Saturday night, bringing its “College Gameday” show to the Florida school and televising its showdown with previously ranked Cincinnati in prime time. Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback McKenzie Milton and Co. didn’t disappoint, hammering the Bearcats, 38-13, in the kind of performance that should prove UCF belongs in the conversation for a bid to the College Football Playoff.

But the broadcast also felt like it was placating the AAC school and the mid-major hopefuls out there, trying to convince the audience the Knights are playoff contenders when everyone knows the opposite is true. It just reasserts what we’ve already known: Until the playoff expands to eight teams, the little guy has no shot. The playoff was needed, but all it has done is give more Power 5 conference schools a chance to play for a title.

On the one hand, it is understandable. The level of competition isn’t the same. UCF has one win over an opponent, ACC Coastal champion Pittsburgh, currently ranked 24th in the latest AP top 25, and has faced four foes over .500. The teams ahead of them have faced several more.

UCF’s path to the playoff is dependent on utter chaos. It needs the Michigan/Ohio State winner to lose to Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game, for the top teams in the Big 12 and Pac-12, Oklahoma and Washington State, to each lose again. The latter two scenarios are possible. The first is as likely as UCF getting the nod. Even if all three things happen, would it surprise anyone to see the committee choose a two-loss team over the undefeated Knights, pointing to strength of schedule?

Hopefully UCF wins out, knocks off a Power 5 program in a major bowl like last year, and continues to scream about the uneven playing field. It may be the only way we get what is so desperately needed: a larger playoff field. Otherwise, schools like UCF will be merely playing for pride.

It’s easy to dismiss Notre Dame because of how poorly it finished last year and because some of the top teams on its schedule — Virginia Tech, USC and Florida State — have been massive disappointments. Even Saturday’s 36-3 shellacking of Syracuse came with an asterisk, as Orange quarterback Eric Dungey left the game in the first quarter with what looked like a serious back injury.

But that’s ignoring what you’re seeing, which is a dominant defense with NFL talent, a balanced offense loaded with playmakers that has become potent under junior quarterback Ian Book.

Just listen to Dino Babers, the Syracuse coach whose team nearly upset Clemson. He believes Notre Dame is better than people think. In other words, the Irish are capable of winning a national championship. They can get through Clemson and Alabama. They wouldn’t have gotten this far otherwise and looked so impressive in the process.

Storylines are never lacking in The Game, the annual Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, and they’ll be flowing this week. The Wolverines, winners of 10 straight games, are looking to snap a six-game losing streak to the Buckeyes. The winner is likely headed to the playoff, provided it can knock off Northwestern in the conference title game. Then there are the two big-name coaches. Jim Harbaugh has to win this game. He has the better team. Urban Meyer, meanwhile, somehow has what looks like an ordinary Ohio State team one win away from another division title in this star-crossed year that seems to be taking a toll on him. Meyer looked to be in agony during large segments of Saturday’s 52-51 overtime win over Maryland. Imagine how he’ll feel if Michigan leaves The Horseshoe victorious.

1. Alabama (11-0) (Last week: 1)
Nick Saban will undoubtedly treat the 50-17 rout of The Citadel like a loss, using the poor first half as a way to humble his undefeated juggernaut ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl meeting with Auburn.

2. Clemson (11-0) (2)
The last touchdown this defense allowed outside of garbage time came on Sept. 29 against Syracuse. That’s six games’ worth of sheer dominance that would even impress Saban.

3. Notre Dame (11-0) (3)
The Fighting Irish defeated Syracuse — the 12th-ranked team in the country — by 33 points, and they weren’t even at their best offensively, leaving points on the board. Notre Dame is a legitimate title contender, capable of pushing Alabama and Clemson.

4. Michigan (10-1) (4)
This was why Jim Harbaugh was brought back to Ann Arbor: to beat Ohio State. He has the better team, and no excuses to leave Columbus without the Big Ten East crown.

5. Georgia (10-1) (5)
There was value in the 66-27 destruction of UMass. There was extensive playing time for prized freshman Justin Fields, who produced three touchdowns and 221 total yards, experience that could be vital if called upon against Alabama in the SEC title game in two weeks.

6. Central Florida (10-0) (9)
Central Florida ran its nation’s-best win streak to 23 games, making 24th-ranked Cincinnati look pedestrian by comparison and sending a statement to the College Football Playoff committee that it merits serious consideration.

7. Oklahoma (10-1) (6)
This “defense” — quotations marks because the Sooners’ unit is more offensive than anything — continues to set new lows. Saturday it was shredded by, of all teams, Kansas for 524 yards and 40 points.

8. Ohio State (10-1) (7)

The Buckeyes belong in the Big 12 this year. Their defense, gashed for 535 yards and 51 points by Maryland in an overtime victory over the Terrapins, certainly fits.

9. LSU (9-2) (8)
Ed Orgeron is shutting up his many vocal critics (me included), and can really quiet them with a win next Saturday over Texas A&M, a victory that would produce the Tigers’ first 10-win season since 2013.

10. Washington State (10-1) (NR)
The Pac-12 should send the Cougars several gifts for the holidays. They’ve saved the conference from further embarrassment.

Dropped out: West Virginia (8-2)

(in order of expected finish)

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The numbers — 340 yards passing and three touchdowns — were Heisman-worthy, but hide a subpar first half that saw Tagovailoa lead Alabama to just 10 points against The Citadel.

QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
As Tagovailoa stumbles, Murray is only picking up steam, producing five touchdowns and 371 all-purpose yards in Saturday’s win over Kansas.

QB Gardner Minshew, Washington State
The push for a New York City invite continued Saturday, as Minshew threw a school-record seven touchdown passes in a 69-28 bludgeoning of Arizona.

QB McKenzie Milton, Central Florida
Nobody can boast better numbers in the one stat that really matters — wins — than Milton, who produced four more touchdowns in the statement victory over Cincinnati in prime time.

QB Will Grier, West Virginia
Grier fell short on Saturday where Murray has excelled, being unable to carry a defenseless defense in a 45-41 loss to Oklahoma State that ended West Virginia’s faint playoff hopes.