You don't have to be a history major to know that Ben Franklin once said: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

With all due respect to Franklin, we'd add one thing to his list: that Alabama, Clemson and Michigan are the top three college football teams in 2016.

How much better than the rest of the field are these three squads? Well, to put it in perspective, they beat their opponents on Saturday by a combined score of 123-3. And while only Alabama played a ranked opponent (LSU), both Michigan and Clemson played programs (Maryland and Syracuse, respectively) that will likely end the season bowl eligible.

Indeed, the only uncertainty heading into the final weeks of the regular season is the team that will emerge from the also-rans to join the "big three" in the BCS playoffs.

Here are our CFB rankings after Week 10, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).

 

NCAA College Football (CBB) Rankings

1. Alabama, (9-0)

LSU may be in disarray after its firing of head coach Les Miles earlier this season, but Baton Rouge on a Saturday night is still as tough a place to play as any in the country. And yet, the Tide out-toughed the Tigers. Freshman QB Jalen Hurts controlled the game with his feet, rushing for 114 yards. But it was the 'Bama defense that won the game, holding LSU to less than 100 total yards.

2. Clemson, (9-0)

Deshaun Watson got dinged up on Saturday, and yet the Tigers didn't miss a beat in beating the 'Cuse like a rented mule. Receiver Deon Cain continued his personal resurgence with five catches for 125 yards and two TDs in the game.

3. Michigan, (9-0)

Wolverines don't play on Friday nights, but they sure play on Saturdays under coach Jim Harbaugh. Could Wilton Speight (362 passing yards, two TDs against the Terps) be the next Tom Brady?

4. Washington, (9-0)

Really, you could argue that the Huskies have by now proved they belong in the BCS mix, but the Pac-12 is like Rodney Dangerfield: it gets no respect. UW arguably has five future NFLers on the offensive side of the ball, with receiver John Ross (six catches for 208 yards and three TDs in a big win at Cal on Saturday) among them.

5. Louisville, (8-1)

BC doesn't belong in the ACC geographically--or competitively--so it's hard to take the Cardinals' big win in Chestnut Hill all that seriously. Still, QB Lamar Jackson had more than 400 total yards--again--and Louisville is waiting to pounce should any of the big three (or Washington) falter down the stretch.

6. Ohio State, (8-1)

We had effectively written off the Buckeyes after their loss at Penn State, but their struggles now seem to be a thing of the past, what with their pasting of a solid Nebraska team on Saturday. They too could benefit if one or more of the top teams hits a bump in the road, especially if receiver/tailback Curtis Samuel (eight catches, 137 yards, two TDs against the Cornhuskers) continues to play well.

7. Wisconsin, (7-2)

Could a two-loss team break into the BCS picture this season? Maybe. Of those in the mix, the Badgers are probably the best, at least on the defensive side of the ball.

8. Oklahoma, (7-2)

Another two-loss team, the Sooners prove the old adage: better late, than never. After struggling early, QB Baker Mayfield (328 passing yards, with four TDs at Iowa State) is once again putting up fine numbers, but at 6-1 his future as a pro is iffy, at best--making him a fantasy non-issue, unless you have a CFL-based league (and if you do, Mayfield's future is the least of your worries).

9. Western Michigan, (9-0)

At 6-2, WMU QB Zach Terrell (2,362 passing yards on the season, with 23 TDs) is only slightly taller than Mayfield, yet the so-called experts have him among the 2017 signal-calling class in the NFL draft. He's not likely to go in the first round, though. Receiver Corey Davis (12 catches, 272 yards, three TDs against Ball State last week) is another story. He could be a sleeper pick in your fantasy draft as early as next fall.

10. Boise State, (8-1)

Okay, we don't like admitting when we're wrong, but we also don't like sifting through mediocre two-loss teams to round out our top 10. Fact is, the Mountain West is legit and so is Boise. Officially, they can't break into the BCS playoffs now, with one loss. But don't tell that to future NFL back Jeremy McNichols, who had 158 yards on the ground and two TDs against San Jose State.