The Mo Knows Mid-Major 10

1. BYU-they may not have beat the best team of any non-BCS school, but they have the best win. It's tough to argue with 59-0. It's tough to argue with 2-0 against the Pac 10. It's tough to argue with a Heisman contender. It's tough to argue with all the Bruin bodies flying through the air, including their linebackers. It's tough to argue with 2 straight undefeated runs through conference. It's tough to argue that BYU is NOT the number one non-BCS school.
2. East Carolina-they are the only non-BCS team to beat TWO ranked teams. I am still waiting to see how they do on the road, in conference, against a team that isn't Tulane (they haven't won more than 4 games since 2004 when they won 5). They have proven they can beat good teams at home. Let's see how they do AT NC State. Also of note, they haven't won a conference title since 1999.
3. Utah-they continue to make the argument that they are the best/most talented non-BCS team. After watching the UNLV game, however, I continue to believe that they have a long ways to go as a program. After an uninspiring first half, they left their starters in the game until 42-14 and under 6 minutes left in the game. Oh, and those starters ran a trick play with a 3-TD lead in the 4th quarter. Show me some class, show me developing depth by playing 2nd and 3rd stringers, show me you understand why you have injury problems (like leaving starters in the game when it's already decided).
4. Tulsa-they just continue to win by putting up obscene offensive numbers. They haven't even played a home game yet and they're 2-0. New Mexico comes to town this week, who is 1-2. It will be Tulsa's only real test for the next month-plus. They have been a bit overshadowed by ECU and the MWC. Let's not forget, they outscored BYU in a game last year when BYU's offense was clicking; they are the first team to do that in a few years.
5. TCU-their defense is scary good. 8 points/game includes a roadie in-conference and a home game against a Pac-10 team. Their offense always has good RBs and WRs, so it all depends on Andy Dalton. If he continues to make the strides he has made, BYU and Utah might leave their game with the Horned Frogs a bit unhappy. OU looms large next week, but they have in-state "rival" SMU first.
6. Boise State-not a whole lot of beef on the schedule so far, but they have a chance to make the kind of statement the MWC made with a victory at Oregon. Well, before the season, I had them dropping this game, before finishing with 9 straight wins. I'm not so sure they can't pull it off this weekend, but it's Autzen Stadium. The Ducks have only lost 4 times the last 3 seasons there, and none of them were out of conference games. The Broncos offense is coming around a bit slower than I thought, but the defense has been as good as, if not better than, advertised.
7. Ball State-could this be right? Ball State? Well hey, they can score points with the best of them. Their defense looks like an Achilles Heel and I think this weekend it might show against Indiana. I wouldn't be sad to see them win this game at all. The MWC brought down the Pac 10 last weekend, let's get the MAC attacking the Big 10! Not so fast, my friend. I don't even think they'll win their division in the MAC (Central Michigan will take care of that), but they are a nice early season story.
8. Fresno State-don't let the loss to Wisconsin fool you. If, and it's a big IF, no other non-BCS teams go undefeated and they win out (granted, playing at Boise State the last game of the season will be a tough one), they could sneak in to the dance. They only have 12 spots to climb, and, if they win out, they'll 10 wins to do it with. Unfortunately, their win at Rutgers is looking less impressive with each embarrassing performance the Scarlet Knights have. The Bulldogs have taken advantage of their opponents' (and the officials') mistakes and their defense has stymied a Big East and a Big 10 team already.
9. Air Force-they just do what they do: run the football, play disciplined defense, and, well, that's it, that's what they do. Oh, and win. Calhoun must have the magic formula out there in Colorado Springs. The schedule hasn't exactly been tough, but that all changes this week with Utah coming to town. They did beat the Utes last year. I'd like to make it down to this game, but, there's too much on TV at the same time! Looks like the cupboard wasn't as bare as I thought.
10. Troy-I really like Troy. Call me crazy, but I think they actually have a chance at Ohio State this week. They are certainly getting them at the right time, as I am sure the Buckeyes are questioning themselves and they are in the middle of a QB transition. OSU is a team without an identity. Where Troy has an identity: they are tough, hard-nosed, overlooked by the SEC, athletes who want to prove they are tough, hard-nosed, overlooked by the SEC, athletes. I think they will come up just short, but they deserve mention here at 2-0. The win at Middle Tennesse looks even better in hindsight as MTSU beat Maryland and played Kentucky close on the road. Troy looks like what I thought Florida Atlantic would look like.