The Mustangs, who are 4-1 overall this season, are the leaders among the three ACC newcomers — just a couple of weeks after social media was having fun with the idea of California and Stanford meeting in the league title game after their exit from the now-splintered Pac-12, known as the "Conference of Champions" in its glory years.

Southern Methodist has found quick validation in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a thumping of Florida State. Even the shocking freefall of the Seminoles can't take away from the strong