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NEW YORK -- Not all undefeated records are created equal,
especially in September. In major college football there are 23 teams without a loss
heading into week No. 5. Of those, 19 are ranked in the AP Top 25. Arizona State and Cincinnati were the last two unbeatens to
convince poll voters that they just might be as good as their
records. As for Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan State and Purdue -- the four
unranked unbeatens -- there's still plenty of reason for skepticism. The Huskies, Jayhawks, Spartans and Boilermakers have combined
for 12 victories, but only one has come against a team with a
winning record: Michigan State beat Bowling Green (2-1) 28-17 in
East Lansing. So what to make of four teams that entered the season with
modest expectations and find themselves already two-thirds of the
way to bowl eligibility? Let's see if there's anything to get excited about.<
^CONNECTICUT= Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen has addressed the Huskies' biggest
problem the past two seasons. The junior college transfer has
completed 63 percent of his passes and thrown just two
interceptions. With an opener at Duke and home games against Maine and Temple,
it was no shocker to see Connecticut start 3-0. Last week's 34-14
victory at Pittsburgh was surprising, despite the Panthers'
struggles. While Lorenzen has helped stabilize the offense, coach Randy
Edsall's team has been dominant defensively, ranking 12th in the
nation (250 yards per game). With a home game against Akron (2-2) on Saturday, UConn's first
5-0 start since 1995, when the Huskies were still in I-AA, is a
strong possibility. "I know we have a long way to go," Edsall told reporters this
week. "We've got a lot of work to do in all three phases yet." So true. There's a good chance September will be the high point for the
Huskies. Their remaining schedule is treacherous, starting with
their final nonconference game at Virginia on Oct. 13. UConn also
must play all the Big East's best teams.<
^KANSAS= The Jayhawks generally try to avoid tough nonconference games
and this year's slate of Central Michigan, Southeast Louisiana,
Toledo and Florida International was no exception. Coach Mark Mangino's Jayhawks have made the most of their smooth
September road with four blowouts and some staggering stats. Kansas ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (552 yards
per game) and total defense (219 ypg). The only other teams to rank
in the top 10 in both categories -- No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 10
Rutgers. The Jayhawks probably won't be keeping such lofty company much
longer. They're off this week and play at rival Kansas State on
Oct. 6. Still, the Jayhawks should be in good shape to reach a bowl of
the third time since 2003. Kansas doesn't play Texas or Oklahoma
from the Big 12 South and has home games against Baylor and Iowa
State. A 7-5 season, which should be enough to ensure a seventh
season in Lawrence for Mangino, seems very reachable.<
^PURDUE= The Boilermakers have one of the Big Ten's most experienced
teams and their offense, directed by quarterback Curtis Painter has
been as good as expected, averaging 527 yards per game against a
bunch of bad defenses (Toledo, Central Michigan, Eastern Illinois
and Minnesota). This Purdue team does look a lot like most recent Purdue teams --
and that's not great. Purdue ran out to a big lead at the Metrodome last week, only to
have the Gophers get back in and hold on for a 45-31 victory. The Boilermakers get Notre Dame at home this week, so 5-0 here
they come. Then the schedule gets serious with Ohio State, at
Michigan and Iowa. "To me, it doesn't matter who the opponent is, you have to
prepare to succeed yourself ... and try to get better each week,"
coach Joe Tiller said. There's potential for the Big Ten to get weird this season. With
an experienced team that can score points, Purdue can't be
discounted.<
^MICHIGAN STATE= New coach Mark Dantonio hasn't quite made Spartans fans forget
about the many meltdowns Michigan State had under former coach John
L. Smith. Still, it's a good start. If nothing else the Spartans appear to be playing harder and
smarter. Dantonio, a former defensive coordinator, has Michigan
State getting after the quarterback. The Spartans lead the nation
with 21 sacks, though those numbers have been padded against three
woeful offenses, UAB, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. Offensively, the Spartans are in the middle of the pack in the
Big Ten with no truly outstanding players. They play at Wisconsin this week and an upset victory could set
Michigan State up for an interesting October. The Spartans have
home games against Big Ten lightweights Northwestern and Indiana
before a tough final five, starting with road dates at Ohio State
and Iowa. Bottom line, Michigan State's first winning season since 2003 is
still no guarantee.
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