To the surprise of no one, Mississippi State (8-0, 5-0) remained No. 1 when the College Football Playoff committee revealed its second-ever poll.

That’s what happens when an SEC team makes it to the second weekend in November without a loss.

As long as the Bulldogs keep winning, there will be no need for Mississippi State fans to sweat the Dec. 7 selection show (12:45 p.m. ET, ESPN).

But getting there with ease won’t be so … easy. After a guaranteed win against Tennessee-Martin this weekend, coach Dan Mullen and the players must travel to Tuscaloosa to face current CFP poll No. 5 Alabama. Then comes the Egg Bowl in Oxford against No. 11 Ole Miss and a potential SEC championship game.

Mississippi State had to come from behind to beat Arkansas, 17-10, on Saturday in perhaps the shakiest game of the season for QB Dak Prescott and the offense.

For now, though, the Bulldogs continue to hog No. 1 status in the AP, Coaches and College Football Playoff polls ahead of Florida State, the only other undefeated power conference team.

If the season ended today, Mississippi State would face Oregon in the national semifinals for the right to play for the national championship.