College Football Week 1: What We Learned About BYU, TCU, Utah, and Other Non-AQs

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There's nothing like a week of games to let you know how teams are actually doing.

The top teams from non-AQ conferences held their ground over the weekend. One key match-up still remains as Virginia Tech takes on Boise State tonight.

But there are other good non-AQ teams besides Boise State, right? And week one's games told us volumes about how they're doing.

So, without further ado, let's examine what we learned about teams outside of the "Big Six" conferences:

It's Going to Be Another Hard Season For New Mexico

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New Mexico Coach Mike Locksley had an awful season last year, finishing with only one win and some off the field drama. The Lobos would rather forget last season and start new with some good news.

The bad news is that this year just might be worse.

Yes, it's hard for any team to start off the season at Oregon. Getting 72 points dropped on you is enough to make grown men cry.

Worse, the Lobos' next two games are against Texas Tech and Utah.

Lobos fans might be asking if it's basketball season yet.

Miami (OH) Is Going to Finish With More Than One Win

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When people saw that Florida was playing Miami of Ohio, most of them, including myself, wrote this off as an easy win for the Gators.

After all, Miami had only won a single game last year.

Miami of Ohio stayed competitive with the Gators the entire game. Had they not made some key mistakes, they could have beaten the No. 4 team in the land.

Just watch out Eastern Michigan and Colorado State. The Red Hawks weren't intimidated by Florida in the Swamp. They aren't afraid of you, either.

Don't Bet Against Utah in a Home Opener

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Six years ago, Pitt and Utah faced off in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl, and the Utes thoroughly embarrassed the Panthers.

This year, Pitt came to town with dreams of bigger and better things, as well as a No. 15 ranking.

Utah wouldn't have it so easy this year against the Panthers. Both teams looked a bit sloppy as the night went on.

But a clutch interception in overtime followed by a Utah field goal secured the win over Pitt.

Utah has only this season left as a non-AQ team, and this victory shows that the Utes will still make some waves this year.

TCU Is Still in the BCS Running

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TCU took care of business against Oregon State at Jerry's World to keep their dreams of a second BCS Bowl appearance, and national title aspirations alive.

Yes, Horned Frog QB Andy Dalton did throw two picks, but TCU was clearly the better team.

TCU won't be seriously challenged again until BYU comes to town on Oct. 16. The only difficult away game on the Horned Frogs schedule is the trip to Utah on Nov. 6.

If the Broncos should falter tonight, or in any other game this season, TCU will be in prime position to make a run at the BCS title game should they take care of business.

Boise State Better Watch Out For Fresno State

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Fresno State just pulled off an impressive comeback against Cincinnati behind the arm of QB Ryan Colburn.

Now, Boise State doesn't have too many challenges after they face Virginia Tech and Oregon State, but the Broncos best be wary of teams like Fresno State. This team has shown that they don't have any quit in them.

Beware the Utah State Aggies

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Utah State gave No. 7 Oklahoma quite a scare but ultimately fell by only a single touchdown.

At Oklahoma no less.

Utah State hasn't been relevant in the WAC or in the rest of the college football world for some time now. The Aggies have yet to win the WAC, and haven't been bowling since 1997.

Could this be the year that Utah State makes some waves and makes it to a bowl game?

If this game is any indication, this could be Utah State's year.

Don't Count Out BYU

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A lot of the "experts" out there expected QB Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies to start of their season with a statement win over BYU in Provo.

No such luck.

BYU's odd two football QB system featuring Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps seemed to work OK against the Huskies. The fact that both of them finished with 113 yards passing each underscores how even these two really are. Neither QB, nor the rest of the BYU offense, turned over the ball.

But the heroes of the game where the stanch BYU defense, which kept the Heisman Trophy hyped Jake Locker off the scoreboard the entire second half.

They held on key downs, including Washington's final offensive play. Locker's fourth and seven pass bounced off of the helmet of Eathyn Manumaleuna.

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit placed BYU on a list of teams "Headin' On Down."

Not so fast, my friend.

BYU won't have it easy the next two weeks at Air Force and at Florida State, but they'll still compete for the Mountain West Conference title for one last time before going independent.