You might think Auburn or Florida’s hot starts are surprising. Even a B10 team like Iowa or Penn State being 4-0 may shock some. But those aren’t the teams I want to examine today. This article for those that may not get talked about on a national stage often.
No. 24 SMU Mustangs (5-0)
The Mustangs find themselves ranked for the first time since 1987 when the program received the death penalty. SMU has not faced the toughest schedule to date but did pick up a 41-38 win over in-state rival TCU. A big part of their success has come at the quarterback position, where Texas transfer Shane Buechele has balled out. Buechele has thrown for 1,385 yards which rank 10th in college football and is a big reason why the Mustangs are 9th in college football in scoring offense, averaging 44.4 points per game. Buechele’s favorite target, Reggie Robinson Jr, has gone for 510 yards, putting him at 7th in the nation. But the offensive attack does not stop there. RB Xavier Jones has gone for 525 yards rushing, putting him at 11th best in college football. SMU has a pretty middle of the road defense, but it is good enough to win games in the AAC. This is a fun story and a fun team to watch. In a mediocre conference, this team could possibly run the table.
Most likely first loss: Nov. 2 at. Memphis
In what could be a battle of the unbeaten, SMU faces a tough road test just three games from now. In the meantime, Tulsa, Houston, and Temple will not be easy, but the Mustangs look to be on a mission this season. Being on the weaker side of the AAC also helps down the stretch. If SMU can get past Memphis, I think there’s a good chance they run the table and have to face UCF in the AAC championship game.
Memphis Tigers (4-0)
Sticking with the AAC, Memphis is the second unbeaten in the conference. After a UCF loss at Pitt, the door could be open for a new king of the AAC. Still, the Knights will most likely run the table en route to the championship game. For Memphis, it was a 15-10 win over Ole Miss that was their biggest win thus far, but last week’s dramatic 35-23 win over Navy, a game in which they trailed 20-7, may have been their most impressive. Unlike SMU, the Tigers are used to a strong start and strong AAC play. They have made the championship game the past two seasons, losing both to UCF. Another difference with SMU is that this Tigers team prides itself on defense. Memphis ranks 11th in total defense and 16th in points allowed. That being said, their offense is no slouch. QB Brady White has completed an efficient 73.3% of his passes while throwing eight touchdowns and two picks. This offense isn’t flashy, but it can usually get the job done.
Most likely first loss: Nov. 2 vs. SMU
Not the beat a dead horse (or Mustang), but this is a big game. It could determine the AAC West winner. And yes I realize that both teams can’t win. But it still remains the most likely time either team can lose.
No. 22 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-0)
In case you missed my last article which can be found here I’m absolutely in love with the Deacs. They give me feelings of the magical Syracuse team from last season that went 10-3 and won a bowl game. A lot of this has to do with Wake’s duel-threat QB Jamie Newman. Newman is 4th in the NCAA in passing yards and oh yeah, he’s also ran for 217 yards, totaling 17 touchdowns and just three picks. A big performance in the Birmingham Bowl last season against the aforementioned Memphis Tigers really put Newman on the map. The Deacs are now one win away from matching their regular-season win total from 2018. They seem poised to make a fourth straight bowl game, but this is by far the best team they have had over that stretch. In an ACC that is so desperate for a second-best team, Wake Forest could be it. As I said, shades of 2018 Syracuse with a better passing quarterback. The defense isn’t quite to the level of the offense yet, but in a mediocre ACC, it’s passable.
Most likely first loss: Nov. 16 at. Clemson
No one knows what the ACC is. A loss against Louisville, Florida State, NC State or Virginia Tech would not surprise me. But how awesome would it be if Wake Forest entered a road matchup with Clemson at 9-0? The conference needs that kind of excitement. I’m realizing it might just be Newman that I’m in love with, but who cares? Let’s ride with the Deacs!
Baylor Bears (4-0)
I’m not saying Baylor deserves a redemption story after everything that went down under Art Briles and company. But head coach Matt Rhule and AD Mack Rhoades have done a great job bringing the football team back to relevance. A dramatic 23-21 win on a game-winning kick from freshman John Mayers called by the great Steve Levy (shoutout Oswego State) put the Bears at 1-0 in conference play. The road ahead does not get easy, but this team has come a long way from a 1-11 record in 2017. These aren’t the same offensive-minded Bears of the past led by RGIII and Bryce Petty. This is a team that prides itself on tough defense. In the Big 12, there may be some games where Baylor’s offense can’t keep pace. But against the middle of the pack, the defense is good enough to carry them to wins.
Most likely first loss: Oct. 5 at. Kansas State
This game is like picking between two of my children. On the road, I like K-State a little bit more. There really isn’t an easy out in the Big 12 this season, with even Kansas showing some signs of life. Things could spiral pretty quickly for this Bears team with games still remaining with Oklahoma State, Texas, and Oklahoma. But some good news for Baylor is getting Texas and Oklahoma at home. I think college football is better when Baylor football is good. This may not be the year for national championship or even conference championship relevance, but I think that’s coming soon.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0)
If you like a team that will absolutely grind out wins, here they are. The largest margin of victory for the Gophers this season was seven against both Purdue and South Dakota State. They’ve outscored opponents 139-119 this season. This is a mediocre team that could end up 9-3 because of the soft B10 West schedule they play. I don’t hate Minnesota. Never have. They just aren’t all that good of a football team. Okay, now some nice things. Tanner Morgan has looked much, much better since replacing an injured Zack Annexsted at quarterback. To open conference play against Purdue, Morgan went 21-22 for 396 yards and four touchdowns. I’m not sure he’s quite this good, but he does look a lot more accurate in his sophomore year. His favorite targets Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson have been electric with four touchdowns apiece. Senior Rodney Smith is a solid running back. This is a team that usually prides itself on defense, and the defense has been good, but the offense has really come to life more than in past seasons.
Most likely first loss: Nov. 9 vs. Penn State
If Minnesota is a good football team (which I’m not convinced they are), they should beat Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Maryland. That would set up a huge home matchup with Penn State with the Gophers entering at 8-0. But this scenario does not seem likely to me. Nebraska and Maryland will both be tough challenges, and even Illinois and Rutgers won’t be pushovers. Show me something, Gophs.
App State Mountaineers (4-0)
Saving the best for last. This is a program that has not won less than nine games since 2014 and is still being disrespected at a national level. This is not the App State team that upset Michigan at the Big House. This is a program that established itself. A program that took Penn State to overtime last year and beat North Carolina this year. A program that may knock off South Carolina later this season. As App State twitter knows (shoutout to all of you for liking my rankings tweets), I had the Mountaineers ranked preseason and have them sitting at 18th in the country currently. The defense has been shaky, but the offense is what draws me in. QB Zac Thomas has been decent, but fellow junior Darrynton Evans has been the real story. His nine rushing touchdowns are good for third in the nation. He’s also 11th in rushing yards per game at 117.8.
Most likely first loss: Oct. 9 at. Louisiana
I know, I know. This is next Wednesday night. But the Ragin’ Cajuns have been dynamic this season. This also might be a shock because App State is 6-0 all-time in this series. But this is the best Louisiana team they’ve faced and the Ragin’ Cajuns will be seeking revenge. Even with a loss next week, I’m still all-in on the Mountaineers.
Power Rankings
1- Wake Forest
2- App State
3- SMU
4- Memphis
5- Minnesota
6- Baylor
