Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, the Gophers.
In a classic game of "which of these is not like the others?" many would likely pick out the latter as not fitting among the perennial College Football Playoff hopefuls.
The Gophers, though, do belong. Along with those four squads and 11 other FBS teams, the Gophers are undefeated after Week 6, improving to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference after dispatching of Illinois 40-17 this past Saturday.
It's the first time since 2004 the Gophers have started a season with five wins. And that streak could grow.
Despite the Illinois game being the first this season the Gophers didn't win by a score within one possession, the Gophers' schedule is favorable. No Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State are on the slate. The Gophers' first test against a ranked team likely won't come until Nov. 9 against No. 10 Penn State, another of those undefeated teams. In between, though, the Gophers host Nebraska (4-2) and play at Rutgers (1-4) before returning home against Maryland (3-2). The Cornhuskers are dangerous, but two of their top players — quarterback Adrian Martinez and wide receiver JD Spielman — left Saturday's 13-10 win against Northwestern with because of lower-leg injuries.
So, a world where the Gophers are 8-0 isn't so far-fetched.
Except maybe to the Gophers themselves.
It's a tried-and-true cliché, but taking it one game at a time is how the Gophers profess they keep winning.