Houston, Texas Tech and 6 Surprising Unbeaten Teams

In the long college football season there are always a few teams that start the year on a hot streak and surprise the country. This year there seems to be more surprises than normal.

With the calendar turning to the second week of the month of October heading into Week 6, it is an impressive feat to be unbeaten. Here is a look at the six most surprising unbeaten teams in college football today.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are 5-0 on the season and lead the way in surprising undefeated teams on the 2011 season. Houston started off the season with a big win over UCLA and has not looked back.

They are led by Heisman hopeful Case Keenum, who has already eclipsed 2,000 yards passing. As long as he is healthy the Cougars can continue to surprise and have a shot to go unbeaten for the rest of the season.

Texas Tech

The impressive thing about Texas Tech is that they are unbeaten and play in a tough conference. The Big 12 is unforgiving and will provide a challenge for this team.

The Red Raiders have yet to lose but they are in a very difficult stretch of schedule. The next five out of six games will be against ranked opponents and will let us know if the red Raiders are for real.

Clemson Tigers

There is no doubt that many people thought Clemson would be a very good team this year.

However it is safe to say that no one outside of the university would believe they would be undefeated at this point. Three wins in a row against ranked opponents ending with a big road win at Virginia Tech, should serve notice that Clemson is for real.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Big ten has some great teams this year that made headlines. Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Ohio State were all on the watch list, but no one expected Illinois to be undefeated at this point.

At quarterback they have Nathan Scheelhaase, who is completing 69% of his passes and can do damage with his legs as well as his arm. With a game against Indiana on tap, they could be undefeated in the game against Ohio State. If they win that game, they will have Wisconsin at home and anything can happen.

Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines have been considered the laughing stock of college football over the last few years. After hiring Brady Hoke as head coach, no one is laughing any longer. Michigan has yet to lose on the college football season and is now a team that is considered a threat to go undefeated.

What may be most surprising is the tough defense that the Wolverines are playing. What was once considered the Achilles heel of this team is now a strong point. The upcoming stretch against the better teams in the Big Ten will be a good test for Michigan.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The Yellow Jackets are quietly sneaking up the college football rankings. They are unbeaten on the season and are steamrolling over Maryland. They will hold on and move to 6-0 on the season. This will give them a big lead in the Coastal division of the ACC and may propel them up the college football polls.

In the overall FBS rankings the Yellow Jackets rank first in points for and rushing yards. This team is on a roll right now and difficult to stop.

Surprise—For Now

These teams are shocking so far on the season, but it is still early. There is a reason that a few of these unbeaten teams have yet to crack the Top 25.

It’s because the toughest part of the schedule is ahead of them and only time will tell if they can surprise the college football world later in the season.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail] and you can follow him at  Twitter @ jtsneaks