Oregon leaps over Penn State in the rankings.
There are the things you've come to expect when watching college football: Ohio State wins, Michigan wins with a coach that is filling in for a suspended coach, and Penn State can't beat anyone with a Top 10 ranking. Then there are the bizarre things about college football that keep you coming back: Vanderbilt is 5-0, 109 teams have more wins than Florida and Clemson, and four coaches have already been fired. That's right, Brent Pry (Va Tech), DeShaun Foster (UCLA), Mike Gundy (OKST), and most recently, Sam Pittman (Arkansas). They join Kenni Burns (Kent State) and Troy Taylor (Stanford) who were both fired during the offseason for off the field issues. It seems that Billy Napier (Florida) could be the next to pack up his office if the Gators keep losing.
North Texas is 5-0 for the first time since 1959.
20 coaches are feeling pretty good about their job security. The biggest surprises are North Texas, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Tech. Indiana is showing that they aren't having a hangover from last season, while Oklahoma is showing potential, but will be without star QB John Mateer for at least a couple weeks after he required hand surgery. There will be at least one fewer undefeated team next week as Houston (4-0) takes on Texas Tech (4-0).
Former NFL receiver DeSean Jackson is finding success in coaching.
There have been many overperformers in the early going, but I wanted to send a quick shout out to DeSean Jackson at Delaware State, who has opened the year 3-2. That's impressive because the Hornets went a dismal 2-23 in the last two seasons. His former teammate, Michael Vick, is having a much harder go at coaching with Norfolk State beginning the season 1-4. Hawaii has completed half of their games already (4-2) and are just one win away from matching last season's win total. On the flip side, Oregon State (0-5), Sam Houston State (0-4), UCLA (0-4), and UMass (0-4) are all searching for that elusive first win, something my alma mater grabbed against Louisiana (2-3), but not against FCS cellar dweller, LIU (1-4).
Now let's look at the early statistical leaders:
Passing
Defenses beware when playing Baylor.
1. Sawyer Robertson (Baylor): 133-209, 1,713 yards, 17 TD, 3 INT
2. Jordan Maiava (USC): 98-139, 1,587 yards, 11 TD, INT
3. Darian Mensah (Duke): 121-175, 1,573 yards, 13 TD, 2 INT
4. Katin Houser (ECU): 123-180, 1,509 yards, 7 TD, 4 INT
5. Maverick McIvor (WKU): 128-192, 1,474 yards, 11 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
The Tigers got a steal in the transfer portal from ULM.
1. Ahmad Hardy (Missouri): 103 carries, 730 yards, 9 TDs
2. Robert Henry Jr. (UTSA): 68 carries, 624 yards, 9 total TDs
3. Cam Cook (Jacksonville State): 111 carries, 614 yards, 5 TDs
4. Hollywood Smothers (NCST): 96 carries, 570 yards, 4 TDs
5. Cam Edwards (UConn): 89 carries, 557 yards, 6 TDs
Receiving
Too bad Makai Lemon couldn't keep Illinois from kicking a last second field goal.
1. Makai Lemon (USC): 35 receptions, 589 yards, 5 TDs
2. Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee): 31 receptions, 531 yards, 7 TDs
3. Danny Scudero (San Jose State): 33 receptions, 514 yards, 3 TDs
4. Skyler Bell (UConn): 42 receptions, 499 yards, 4 TDs
5. Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): 39 receptions, 483 yards, 7 TDs
Defense (Sacks)
This man lives in the nightmares of Big 12 quarterbacks.
1. John Henry Daley (Utah): 25 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
T2. Bryun Parham (UConn): 38 tackles, 5.5 sacks
T2. J'Dann Burnett (Tulsa): 14 tackles, 5.5 sacks, FF
T4 (5 sacks): Max Llewellyn (Iowa), Caden Curry (Ohio State), John Miller (Utah State), Vincent Anthony Jr. (Duke), Quincy Rhodes Jr. (Arkansas)
Interceptions:
Aarmaris Brown has taken half of his picks back to house.
T1. Aamaris Brown (UNLV): 18 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INT, 2 TDs
T1. Hezekiah Massess (Cal): 22 tackles, 4 INT
T3 (3 INT): Noah Avinger (Utah State), Amare Ferrell (Indiana), Jakari Foster (La Tech), Brice Pollock (Texas Tech), Boogie Trotter (Marshall), Javion White (Tulane), Bishop Fitzgerald (USC), Elijah Green (Tulsa), and Jackson Bennee (Utah)
Special Teams
Kyle Konrardy (Iowa State) connected on a season long 63-yard field goal.
Angus Davies (UCLA) booted an incredible 80-yard punt earlier this year.
Vicari Swain (South Carolina) has already returned 3 punts this season.
Offense
Florida State averages 53 points and 600 yards per game this season and are somehow 3-1.
Defense
The Buckeyes are slamming the door on opponents by allowing just 5.5 points per game, with the Ohio Bobcats (9) outscoring Texas (7) and Washington (6).
