What do the Army, Navy, Indiana University, James Madison University, Duke University, BYU, UNLV, and Rutgers University have in common?
Remarkably, they are all undefeated more than a month into the college football season. The record for these eight schools is 35-0. These include two military academies, a private religious college in the mountains of Utah, three basketball schools, a basement-dwelling Big Ten school in New Jersey, and a Virginia school named after the fourth U.S. president. This is the school of
But after another strange Saturday in college football, these programs are on the list of 18 all-time undefeated FBS records.
Army and Navy are 4-0 for the first time since World War II. Indiana is now 5-0 for the first time since the Vietnam War. JMU has a 4-0 record in its second year in the FBS. BYU leads the Big 12 with an undefeated record. Rutgers is 4-0 for the first time in over 10 years.
UNLV, without QB Matthew Sulka, defeated Fresno 59-14. After trailing 20-0, Duke defeated North Carolina and improved to 5-0 in Manny Diaz’s first season.
Who would think so?
Meanwhile, Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats defeated Ole Miss in Oxford on Saturday in the most surprising upset of the day. Out West, Boise State running back and Heisman hopeful Ashton Giunty continues his early-season performance. His 259 yards against Washington State brought his season total to 845 yards. He averages an impressive 10.3 yards per carry.
That’s enough! It’s on our ranking.
One final note: Preseason polls and past season results are not taken into account. What happened in the past is in the past. It matters who you beat and how you beat them.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
This week: 41-34 win over Georgia.
Next week: Vanderbilt
The Tide now owns arguably the nation’s best win of the season. Coach Karen DeBoer’s team defeated the Bulldogs 28-0, surviving on a record-breaking performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe and incredible catches from two true freshmen. The win over Wisconsin is already set, and Bama has enough history to claim the top spot.
2. Volunteers in Tennessee
This week: Goodbye
Next week: In Arkansas.
The Vols had quality wins against North Carolina State and Oklahoma State, giving them two convincing wins in a power conference, but they will be tested even more in Fayetteville. The Hogs are feeling high after their win at Auburn. It’s a big game for the future of Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. Will Tennessee’s troublesome defense, along with QB Taylen Green, be able to slow down OC Bobby Petrino’s offense?
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
This week: 21-7 win over Illinois.
Next week: vs. UCLA
After Illinois scored on the first drive of the game, the Nittany Lions defense forced Illinois into four punts, one fumble, one interception, and a missed field goal. They never mounted a drive longer than 50 yards after the first score. PSU started the year with a win at West Virginia and held off previously ranked undefeated Illinois, solidifying PSU in our rankings.
4. Texas Longhorn
This week: Beat Mississippi State 35-13.
Next week: Goodbye
No Quinn Ewers. no problem. Arch Manning started for the second consecutive game and led the Longhorns to a victory over a struggling Bulldogs team. Manning completed just five passes, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. The Longhorns received a bye before their annual matchup against Oklahoma State in Dallas. That’s enough time for Ewers to regain enough strength to return against the Sooners.
5. Miami Hurricanes
This week: 38-34 win over Virginia Tech.
Next week: Goodbye
Survive and move forward! The Hurricanes fought back to avoid a devastating loss at home for a Tech team that had already lost two games. And what should have been a Hail Mary victory for the Hokies had to be overturned by a controversial replay. Miami QB Cam Ward threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.
6. BYU Cougars
This week: 34-28 win over Baylor.
Next week: Goodbye
Some industry insiders say coach Kalani Sitake, in his ninth season on the job, needs a strong year to cool down after going 5-7 in his first year in the Big 12 in 2023. Some people thought so. Here are the Cougars, four games into the season and the game isn’t over yet. It’s a loss. They led 21-0 against the Bears and were on their way to winning. Combined with wins against SMU and Kansas State, the Cougars have a very strong resume thus far.
7. Iowa Cyclones
This week: 20-0 win over Houston.
Next week: vs. Baylor
Cyclones don’t fly away. They don’t have an all-world quarterback or a player with truly incredible skill. But do they have any defenses? Coach Matt Campbell’s team contributed a total of 29 points through four games. The one-point win at Iowa has emerged as one of the best wins of the season so far. Speaking of Campbell, his 57th win made him the school’s all-time wins leader.
8. Oregon Ducks
This week: 34-13 win over UCLA.
Next week: vs Michigan State
The Ducks didn’t necessarily play a top-10 powerhouse, but they dominated UCLA on Saturday and defeated one of the Group of 5 powerhouses (Boise State), which beat Oregon State two weeks ago. This is enough to (barely) put them in the top 10. The game against Ohio State is in two weeks.
9. Georgia Bulldogs
This week: Lost to Alabama 41-34.
Next week: vs. Auburn
The Bulldogs became the first team this year to be ranked despite a loss. Remember, they have two quality wins on the road (Kentucky, which beat Ole Miss on Saturday, and Clemson in Atlanta). It’s no surprise that they lost to Alabama, the No. 1 ranked team. And the Dawgs almost came away with a come-from-behind victory!
10. Missouri Tigers
This week: Goodbye
Next week: At Texas A&M.
The Tigers are new to the rankings. I understand they haven’t played the toughest schedule or had the most convincing wins, but they’ve had two power conference programs in Vanderbilt University and Boston College. , and each has shown flashes of greatness this season.
Dropouts: Utah (4), Illinois (6), Washington (9)
