A little more than a month into the season, there are 17 Power 5 teams remaining without a loss. That list will be cut this weekend, following three matchups of undefeated teams. Another three unbeaten teams (Missouri, Louisville, Washington State) are underdogs in their upcoming games.

The list of playoff hopefuls seeking perfection will be significantly sliced soon afterward. The Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC each have four unbeaten teams. The SEC has three. Multiple landmines lurk.

Texas and Oklahoma’s last dance in the Big 12 is a reminder of a landscape they will long for long after their SEC money has been used on upgraded facilities, new buildings and administrative salaries.

The winner of the Red River Shootout — it’s forever ingrained, like the Triboro Bridge — will have the easiest path in the nation to perfection and the College Football Playoff. Texas and Oklahoma are the only ranked teams in the Big 12. After Saturday, both teams — meeting as undefeated teams for the first time since 2011 — will be favorites in every game up to the conference championship.

It is expected Texas will come out on top because the Longhorns have the better ranking, the better résumé, the better recruits. It is expected because it has only been one year since Texas earned the most lopsided victory (49-0) of a series that dates back to 1900.

It has also been one year since Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel was forced to sit out of the rivalry game with a concussion. It was a game that came in Year 1 of the Brent Venables era — the same year that Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams punctured the program by heading west.

The incessant status updates measuring whether Texas is back has left the prospect of whether Oklahoma is back largely ignored.

With Gabriel emerging as a potential Heisman candidate, the offense ranks second in the nation with 47.4 points per game. In their second season employing a defensive system that’s been used to win multiple national championships, the Sooners rank fourth in the nation in points allowed per game (10.8).

Eight of the past 10 meetings between Texas and Oklahoma have been decided by one possession. The latest matchup could be another classic. Don’t sleep on the Sooners (+6.5).

MISSOURI (+6.5) over LSU

Over the past two weeks, Brian Kelly has watched his defense allow 678 yards passing and seven touchdowns through the air. Enter Brady Cook, who has thrown for eight touchdowns and an average of 364 yards over the past three games, while maintaining the longest streak in SEC history without an interception (347 consecutive passes).

Maryland (+20.5) over OHIO STATE

Maryland currently has the 17th-best odds (1.0 percent) to make the College Football Playoff — according to ESPN projections — putting the Terrapins ahead of LSU, Clemson, Tennessee and many others. It is probably the program’s greatest achievement of the past two decades.

Rutgers (+13.5) over WISCONSIN

Ride the scarlet wave until the wheels fall off. Rutgers hasn’t lost against the spread this season.

Washington State (+3.5) over UCLA

Despite playing in Saskatchewan, Cam Ward has emerged as a sleeper in the Heisman race, leading Washington State to a 4-0 record — including wins over No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 14 Oregon State — while throwing for 1,390 yards, 13 touchdowns and no interceptions with a 74.6 completion percentage.

FLORIDA STATE (-23.5) over Virginia Tech

The Seminoles should enter November without a loss. It isn’t too early to begin thinking about Veterans Day, when Miami heads to Tallahassee for their biggest rivalry game in a decade.

Alabama (-1.5) over TEXAS A&M

Nick Saban has returned to his foundation, building around the ground game and defense. A Crimson Tide SEC futures bet (+270) won’t remain a steal much longer.

NORTH CAROLINA (-8.5) over Syracuse

The Orange will face a top-50 offense for the first time this season. The Tar Heels will face their fourth power conference opponent, having won the previous matchups by an average of 16.3 points.

Kentucky (+14.5) over GEORGIA

The top-ranked team, which has trailed by double-digits in its two SEC games, faces a ranked opponent for the first time this season. “I don’t know how good a team we’ve got. I really don’t,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart recently said. “I don’t sit here and proclaim that we’ve got some unbelievable team.” Maybe when Georgia covers its first game this season.

Michigan (-19.5) over MINNESOTA

The Wolverines have scored at least 30 points in each of their five games. They have allowed no more than seven points in any game this season. According to ESPN, Michigan is the third team in the past 50 years to achieve this feat.

Notre Dame (-6.5) over LOUISVILLE

The Irish — winners of 30 straight games against the ACC — are the best one-loss team in the nation. The Cardinals’ undefeated record is a product of playing the nation’s 108th-toughest schedule.

Arkansas (+11.5) over OLE MISS

According to my research, schools that celebrate with field stormings have a 91 percent letdown rate. It doesn’t help that the Rebels’ 122nd-ranked pass defense matches up with KJ Jefferson, who has been responsible for nine touchdowns in the teams’ past two meetings.

MIAMI (-20.5) over Georgia Tech

I’ve often wondered what would happen if the nation’s ninth-ranked offense was gifted a game against the 121st-ranked defense.

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CALIFORNIA (+9.5) over Oregon State

The Beavers are legit. They are balanced. They can beat any team in the Pac-12. Yet, I feel no safer with DJ Uiagalelei under center than I do with a toddler behind the wheel.

Arizona (+21.5) over USC

The best offense (Colorado) the Trojans defense has faced just put up 41 points and 564 total yards. The Wildcats’ best offensive performance of the season awaits.

Best bets: Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona
This season: 34-39-2 (4-11)
2014-22 record: 1,150-1,082-25