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 At this point, to call TCU, Boise State, BYU or Cincinnati sleepers would be redundant. They're not sleepers. Three of those teams are in the top 10, while the other started the season that way making it nearly impossible to label them sleepers. You might get away with calling them surprises, but this is about those teams who are flying under the radar and quietly putting together an impressive 2009 campaign.
Pittsburgh is ranked 20th in the BCS. They've been ranked for a few weeks now, but few have taken notice of their 6-1 record or freshman running back Dion Lewis who has been lighting up opposing defenses this season for 918 yards-second most in the NCAA behind Ryan Mathews of Fresno State. The Panthers must wait until late November before they play a ranked opponent, which may be why few have recognized the Panthers this season as a legitimate Big East contender (with a 3-0 conference record, Pitt currently leads the Big East standings).
Next up for the Panthers is a South Florida team hungry to rebound from a loss to Cincinnati last Thursday night. Pittsburgh closes out the year against Jimmy Clausen and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 14, then visit 23rd ranked West Virginia two weeks later before returning home to face 5th ranked Cincinnati in the regular season finale on December 5. Dave Wannstedt's team has the opportunity to cause a real ruckus within their conference and in the BCS.
Am I the only one who's taken notice of Arizona's 22nd spot in the first BCS rankings? The Wildcats are currently sitting in a three-way tie for third in the Pac-10 behind 11th ranked Oregon (3-0, 5-1) and 7th ranked USC (2-1, 5-1). After replacing Matt Scott in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 loss to the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Nick Foles led the Wildcats to a narrow win over Oregon State, followed by a narrow loss to Washington and then a high scoring victory over Stanford in which Foles threw for 415 yards on 40 for 51 passing and 3 touchdowns. The 3 games Foles has started have been decided by a combined 13 points. If the Wildcats (2-1, 4-2) wish to compete for a Pac-10 Championship, or at least improve upon last season's 8-5 record, they'll have to discontinue the heart stoppers.
The road won't be easy, however. Remaining on the Wildcats' 2009 schedule are trips to Cal (11/14) and USC (12/5, regular season finale), and a date at home in Tucson against Oregon (11/21) stuck in the middle. The rushing game averages a respectable 184 yards per game, while the passing attack averages an equally impressive 259 yards per game. There's no questioning Arizona's ability to move the ball down the field. The biggest question mark facing the Wildcats is their ability to stop their opponent from doing so. In all but two games this season (vs. Central Michigan and vs. Northern Arizona) the Wildcats have allowed at least 27 points. They've allowed 37, 36 and 43 points in their last three games, respectively. To play spoiler against an Oregon or a USC, you've got to keep them out of the end zone.
Idaho is sitting comfortably at 6-1 and atop the WAC standings. Their only loss came at Washington a week before the Huskies' surprising victory over USC. Since their 1-1 start, the Vandals haven't lost a game and have surprised a lot of teams in their own conference. They have yet to play the flagship program in the WAC, but will get their shot at 4th ranked Boise State on November 14 when they visit 'The Blue'. Their other challenges this season come as they travel to Nevada on Saturday and then take on Fresno State, who is a lot better than their 3-3 record may suggest, two weeks later.
Idaho ranks 11th in the nation in net total yards with 2,943 yards, averages 269 yards passing a game and 161 yards rushing a game, giving life to a once dormant offense (they ranked 98th in net total yards in 2008). Quarterback Nathan Enderle is in the top 20 nationally for both quarterback rating and passing yards. DeMaundray Woolridge is tied for third with Stanford's Toby Gerhart for the most rushing touchdowns this season with 12, and is tied for fourth in scoring. Defensively, safety Shiloh Keo has picked off 3 passes and has notched 60 tackles, while linebacker Joseph Dickson has accumulated 2 picks and 38 tackles.
If Idaho keeps winning, at what point do they crack the AP, Coaches' and Harris polls? If they win the WAC are they going to a prominent bowl? Keep in mind that they'd have to knock off top 5 Boise State to get there.
Don't take your eye off of the Central Michigan Chippewas, either. At 6-1, CMU hasn't lost since opening weekend-at Arizona-and are atop the MAC West standings. They've defeated Michigan State in East Lansing and have the opportunity to surprise Boston College in Boston in a couple of weeks.
There you have it: four sleeper teams who have the opportunity, and the potential, to play spoiler to a few teams currently sitting comfortably, maybe too comfortably, in the upper echelons of the college football world. Enjoy the games on Saturday and tune in on Sunday for the College Football Saturday in 500 Words or Less recap. - Danny Hobrock
Danny Hobrock is a sports journalist who primarily covers college football and professional baseball. He is a contributor for several sports related blogs and is the former editor of a political and current events website.
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