But another debate will take place the rest of this college football season: how would Alabama’s top-ranked scoring defense (9.1 points a game) fend against Oregon’s top-ranked scoring offense (54.3) in a fight for college football supremacy? Would an Oregon win usher in the golden era of breakneck-speed football? Or would an Alabama win secure Saban’s traditional beliefs, and a place in history for a modern dynasty, built on proficient utility and not art?

The other top undefeated teams are flawed. No. 3 Kansas State lost its catalyst, quarterback Collin Klein, to an undisclosed injury Saturday, the severity of which was unknown. And No. 4 Notre Dame nearly lost to Pittsburgh in triple overtime. That is not to say the Crimson Tide, who defeated Louisiana State, 21-17, on Saturday, and the Ducks are sure things — but they are close.

Oregon’s free and flowing offense is Kelly’s magnum opus. In the Ducks’ 62-51 win over Southern California, they ran one play about every 20 seconds — perhaps a bit slow by Kelly’s standards — and averaged nearly 9 yards a play. Mariota, a freshman, won his first close game with 400 total yards. Barner, a Heisman Trophy contender, received 40 touches and produced mind-boggling numbers: 347 total yards and 5 touchdowns.

“People doubt. I don’t. I know what I’m capable of,” said Barner, who was not needed to score as much when Oregon won each of its first eight games by at least 17 points. He added: “I think we’re the best team in the country. If you don’t think that way, why play football?”