USA TODAY International Edition
Purdue, Cal, ACC duo impress early
For every disappointing team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, there’s another that has exceeded expectations.
Just look at the state of Texas. Baylor’s sour start under Matt Rhule is joined by Texas-San Antonio’s perfect start. Texas’ early struggles under Tom Herman can be contrasted by Texas Tech’s early rebound behind Nic Shimonek and the Red Raiders explosive passing game. While Texas A&M is a disaster, Houston has battled through more than a little adversity to notch two wins in a row to kick off the season.
There are good stories out there. Nice developments. Feelgood starts. It’s not all doom and gloom, though it can feel that way.
This week’s top 10 list looks for the positives. Here are the nicest surprises in college football through Week 3 of the regular season.
1. PURDUE
As it turns out, hiring a good coach can have an impact. Who knew? Pulling Jeff Brohm away from Western Kentucky has made all the difference for Purdue, which quickly has grasped his potent offensive scheme while taking steps forward on defense to win two of its first three — the loss a competitive setback to Louisville to open the season. Just based off the early going, you can make the case that Purdue not only will make a bowl game but potentially also could challenge for third place in the Big Ten West Division.
2. CALIFORNIA
Three wins in total would’ve been an acceptable debut for Justin Wilcox, so low were the expectations heading into 2017. The Golden Bears have three wins through three weeks. One came against North Carolina. Another against Mississippi. Though not worldbeaters, those are two solid teams from Power Five conferences. This has been an impressive start for the new staff.
3. WAKE FOREST
The Demon Deacons are 3-0 after Saturday’s easy win against Utah State. One of those wins came against Boston College, a divisional rival, meaning Wake joins Clemson as the only two Atlantic Coast Conference teams to currently hold a perfect league record. Although the schedule hasn’t been impressive, the Deacons look like a clear bowl team with the potential for more.
4. DUKE
Maybe the most impressive aspect to Duke’s unbeaten start is that two of the three wins have come against Power Five competition — first Northwestern in dominating fashion, followed Saturday with a win against Baylor. After a slight dip, the program has regained its footing and will be in contention for the top spot in the ACC Coastal Division.
5. MARYLAND
You’re excused for sleeping on Maryland during the offseason. You weren’t alone. But the Terrapins deserve to be included in the Amway Coaches Poll after beating Texas and Towson to open the year. The talent level clearly has improved under D.J. Durkin, who has the program on a trajectory to win eight or more games in his second season.
6. VANDERBILT
This shouldn’t have come as too big of a surprise. Well, maybe beating Kansas State at home, as Vanderbilt did Saturday, was a bit of a surprise. In general, however, Derek Mason had his team pegged as a likely bowl entrant heading into the year. The Commodores’ 3-0 start says they might be capable of more.
7. ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM
UAB was nearly the consensus pick this summer as team No. 130 in the 130-team Football Bowl Subdivision. That would suggest a one-win season, or thereabouts, as the Blazers picked up where they left off after a two-season absence from play. Instead, Alabama at Birmingham sits at 2-1 through three games after a nice win against Coastal Carolina.
8. SAN DIEGO STATE
Everyone knew San Diego State was the best team in the West Division of the Mountain West. Few thought the Aztecs would be this good. Two of the first three wins have come against the Pac-12, first at Arizona State and then against Stanford. For now, SDSU is in the driver’s seat for a New Year’s bowl.
9. MISSISSIPPI STATE
How good are the Bulldogs? The destruction and dismantling of LSU on Saturday suggest Mississippi State is the second-best team in the Southeastern Conference, behind Alabama. We will know more by the end of October. But the chatter all offseason was about LSU and Auburn potentially challenging the Crimson Tide. But the Bulldogs’ play thus far suggests a two-team race in the SEC West Division.
10. TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders have looked good, generally speaking, though the defense reverted to the mean in Saturday’s 52-45 win against Arizona State. But that’s just Texas Tech. A win this week at Houston would set up a likely matchup of unbeaten teams when Oklahoma State comes to town for a prime-time affair Sept. 30.