College Football Surprises: 10 Suspected Cupcakes De-Iced
In August, before the college football season kicks off, analysts from California to Florida—and states in between—do what all analysts do: prognosticate.
From conference projections to Heisman conjecture, such soothsayers make it seem like the season is complete... before it even begins.
Of course, much discussion centers on annual powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State and BCS busters in the manner of Boise State and TCU.
But what about the schools picked near the bottom of their respective conferences? Where is their publicity?
Nowhere.
Out of nowhere, however, the occasional would-be cupcake (i.e., easy prey) rises from the oven that is college football. Unwrapped, these cupcakes reveal that they are, in fact, worthy of national recognition, preseason opinions be damned.
Grab an oven mitt for the 10 most surprising "cupcakes" through Week 4—no icing necessary.
10. Indiana
1 of 10
Results (3-0)
- Towson, W 51-17
- @ Western Kentucky, W 38-21
- Akron, W 35-20
Key Team Statistic
Indiana is 11th nationally with 304.3 passing yards per game.
Key Performer
Ben Chappell, QB: 71-98, 890 YDS, 9 TD, 0 INT, 179.04 RAT
Capsule
Indiana, a perennial Big Ten doormat, has feasted on weak opponents. Nevertheless, IU, especially the nation's fifth-ranked passer, Chappell, is on the rise. Are the Hoosiers for real? Saturday's Big Ten opener against No. 19 Michigan should provide answers.
9. Mississippi State
2 of 10
Results (2-2, 1-2 in SEC)
- Memphis, W 49-7
- Auburn, L 17-14
- @ LSU, L 29-7
- Georgia, W 24-12
Key Team Statistic
The Bulldogs rank 28th nationally in points against (16.3).
Key Performer
Chris Relf, QB: 32-56, 396 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT, 117.61 RAT; 49 CAR, 189 YDS
Capsule
Although Mississippi State is only .500 after four weeks, the Bulldogs are no dessert. A three-point loss to an undefeated Auburn squad and a Week 4 victory against Georgia make it clear that MSU won't play its usual pushover role in the SEC.
8. Arizona State
3 of 10
Results (2-2, 0-1 in Pac-10)
- Portland State, W 54-9
- Northern Arizona, W 41-20
- @ Wisconsin, L 20-19
- Oregon, L 42-31
Key Team Statistic
Arizona ranks fifth in the country in passing yards per game (325.8).
Key Performer
Steven Threet, QB: 98-156, 1,228 YDS, 8 TD, 7 INT, 136.89 RAT
Capsule
ASU is a blocked PAT and a few plays away from 4-0. Junior QB Steven Threet, who is fourth nationally in passing yards, leads the Sun Devils' impressive air attack. Picked ninth in the Pac-10, Arizona State is showing that preseason predictions mean nothing.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Kansas State
4 of 10
Results (4-0, 1-0 in Big 12)
- UCLA, W 31-22
- Missouri State, W 48-24
- Iowa State, W 27-20
- Central Florida, W 17-13
Key Team Statistic
KSU averages 216 rushing yards per game, good for 23rd in the nation.
Key Performer
Daniel Thomas, RB: 105 CAR, 628 YDS, 6 TD
Capsule
Undefeated Kansas State has yet to play away from their home stadium, but a 4-0 start for a team many believed would fail to win a game in the Big 12 is no small feat. If Thomas, the nation's second-leading rusher, can continue chomping up yards, the Wildcats just might pull off an upset or two. Their first chance: Oct. 7 against No. 6 Nebraska.
6. San Diego State
5 of 10
Results (3-1)
- Nicholls State, W 47-0
- @ New Mexico State, W 41-21
- @ Missouri, L 27-24
- Utah State, W 41-7
Key Team Statistic
The Aztecs defense allows 13.8 points per game, good for 12th in college football.
Key Performer
Ronnie Hillman, RB: 83 CAR, 532 YDS, 8 TD
Capsule
Hillman, the nation's leading freshman rusher, has helped San Diego State to a 3-1 (almost 4-0) start. If the running game and defense hold true to form, ranked teams TCU and Utah might have more to worry about than each other in the MWC.
5. UCLA
6 of 10
Results (2-2, 0-1 in Pac-10)
- @ Kansas State, L 31-22
- Stanford, L 35-0
- Houston, W 31-13
- @ Texas, W 34-12
Key Team Statistic
The Bruins rank 20th in rushing yards per game (218.8).
Key Performer
Johnathan Franklin, RB: 69 CAR, 409 YDS, 4 TD
Capsule
After an 0-2 start, the Bruins were indeed cupcakes. But since a 35-0 home loss to Stanford, UCLA has turned its season around with wins over Houston and Texas. The latter, a 34-12 drubbing in Austin, has UCLA back in the Pac-10 spotlight.
4. Air Force
7 of 10
Results (3-1, 2-0 in Mountain West)
- Northwestern State, W 65-21
- BYU, W 35-14
- @ Oklahoma, L 27-24
- @ Wyoming, W 20-14
Key Team Statistic
The Academy leads the nation in rushing offense (394.0 yards per game).
Key Performer
Tim Jefferson, QB: 25-51, 420 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT, 129.76 RAT; 44 CAR, 287 YDS, 5 TD
Capsule
If not for a narrow loss at Oklahoma, the Falcons would be in the Top 25. Ranking or not, Air Force is another surprise (along with San Diego State) in the MWC. With the nation's leading rushing attack, don't expect Air Force to run away from stiff conference competition.
3. North Carolina State
8 of 10
Results (4-0, 1-0 in ACC)
- Western Carolina, W 48-7
- @ Central Florida, W 28-21
- Cincinnati, W 30-19
- @ Georgia Tech, W 45-28
Key Team Statistic
NC State averages 37.8 points (19th in nation).
Key Performer
Russell Wilson, QB: 85-142, 1,112 YDS, 11 TD, 1 INT, 149.79 RAT
Capsule
With Wilson, perhaps the ACC's best quarterback, putting up huge passing numbers, the Wolfpack are on the cusp of the Top 25. Projected near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, NC State is now set to challenge Florida State and Clemson for a spot in the ACC Championship Game in December.
2. Michigan
9 of 10
Results (4-0, No. 19)
- Connecticut, W 30-10
- @ Notre Dame, W 28-24
- Massachusetts, W 42-37
- Bowling Green, W 65-21
Key Team Statistic
The Wolverines average 331.3 yards per game rushing, which is 2nd nationally (behind Air Force).
Key Performer
Denard Robinson, QB: 57-80, 731 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 162.01 RAT; 79 CAR, 688 YDS, 6 TD
Capsule
While perhaps not a "cupcake," expectations were low in Ann Arbor after a 5-7 campaign in 2009. Enter Denard Robinson, the nation's leading rusher, and the Wolverines are again relevant not only in the Big Ten, but nationally as well. And maybe, just maybe, the regular season-ending matchup with Ohio State could decide the Big Ten. Who would have guessed that coming into the season?
1. Nevada
10 of 10
Results (4-0, No. 25)
- Eastern Washington, W 49-24
- Colorado State, W 51-6
- California, W 52-31
- @ BYU, W 27-13
Key Team Statistic
Nevada's offense ranks fifth in the country in points (44.8).
Key Performer
Colin Kaepernick, QB: 73-106, 924 YDS, 6 TD, 1 INT, 158.88 RAT; 56 CAR, 451 YDS, 8 TD
Capsule
Nevada, dominant in four games, has ridden the feet and arm of dual-threat QB Kaepernick. If the senior piles up similar numbers in the next two months, the Nov. 26 meeting with Boise State could decide the WAC... and whether or not the Broncos play for a national title.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
