Expect fewer to be perfect

There are 20 undefeated teams left in college football, but not for long.

At least one is guaranteed to go down Saturday in the matchup of California (5-0) at Utah (4-0).

Several others are likely to add “1” to the end of their records.

We’ve divided the “Terrific 20” into levels of perfection vulnerability.

Houston is in the weekend clubhouse at 5-0 after defeating Southern Methodist on Thursday night.

Texas A&M and Memphis are on “defeat standby” as they await huge tests next week against Alabama and Mississippi.

Safe zone

Baylor (4-0) at Kansas (0-4). Oh my wipeout goodness. Art Briles, who says this is his best Baylor team, will be able to pick the score and complete a crossword puzzle. The Bears are 441⁄2-point favorites and that line might have come out of a conservative think tank.

Oklahoma (4-0) vs. Texas (1-4). To be fair, Texas has lost two heartbreak games and the teams it lost to are a combined 19-1. Still, last week’s 50-7 loss at Texas Christian was a stark reminder how far the Longhorns are from being contenders.

Maryland (2-3) at Ohio State (5-0)

Ohio State has issues. but nothing compared to Maryland, which could fire Randy Edsall any time between the national anthem and the flight home. The Terrapins have been outscored, 73-6, inlosses to Michigan and West Virginia.

Michigan State (5-0) at Rutgers (2-2)

Michigan State has underperformed this year, but Rutgers is a shambles. Any regrets, Commissioner Jim Delany, about inviting Maryland and Rutgers to the Big Ten?

South Carolina (2-3) at Louisiana State (4-0)

Any reasonable hope South Carolina had of winning ended when the game, due to severe flooding in the Gamecocks’ home state, was switched to Baton Rouge.

Tulane (2-2) at Temple (4-0) Temple’s defense is legit, while Tulane lost to Georgia Tech and Duke by the combined score of 102-17.

Illinois (4-1) at Iowa (5-0) Iowa is a 10-point favorite at home — that sounds about right.

Too close to call

Georgia Tech (2-3) at Clemson (4-0)

Surprised? Guess as to why Clemson is only a seven-point home favorite. People still don’t trust Clemson and can’t believe Georgia Tech is this bad. The Yellow Jackets were picked to win the ACC Coastal.

Kent State (2-3) at Toledo (4-0)

The oddsmakers say this is a double-digit game, but Kent State has given up 14 or fewer points in three of its last four games. That includes a 10-7 loss at Minnesota.

Vulnerable

Cal (5-0) at Utah (4-0) Cal’s great early-season story might get Bear-trapped in Salt Lake City. Or, maybe Utah is the vulnerable team? Pac-12 road teams are 9-2 this year and Utah is 0-3 in homecoming games since joining the Pac-12.

Miami (3-1) at Florida State (4-0).

Three things: Miami has no historical fear of Florida State. Coach Al Golden is desperate for a signature win. Florida State won a 24-16 clunker last week against Wake Forest.

Navy (4-0) at Notre Dame (4-1) Show of hands: How many of you knew Navy was undefeated?

Florida (5-0) at Missouri (4-1) Florida got a 14-position poll jump for beating Mississippi last week. How soon we forget the Gators were lucky to survive Kentucky (14-9) and Tennessee (28-27).

Northwestern (5-0) at Michigan (4-1)

Michigan wins, 3-0? Both schools, incredibly, are coming off shutouts against Big Ten opponents.

Texas Christian (5-0) at Kansas State (3-1).

Kansas State’s only defeat, last week to Oklahoma State, was aided by a blown Big 12 officials’ call.

Oklahoma State (5-0) at West Virginia (3-1)

Home cooking should settle West Virginia, which fumbled twice and had three interceptions in last week’s loss at Oklahoma.