Biggest Surprise This Year...Pleasant Surprise That Is

[buckeyefan78]

Taking a cue from Alex :thumbup:. Who ya like as the biggest pleasant surprise...

1. Wake Forest (8-1): I saw a few publications that had the Demon Deacons starting 6-1 or even 7-2 so I'm not too sure how much of a surprise this is but we have to remember this is Wake Forest. Freshman QB Riley Skinner has developed nicely for the Demon Deacons and their rushing attack is #3 in the ACC.

2. Maryland (7-2): Does Ralph Friedgen have the Terps back on track after only winning 10 total games over the last two years? They have a tough schedule the rest of the way so we'll know soon enough.

3. Missouri (7-3): Gary Pinkel could only muster 8 wins in his best season with All-World QB Brad Smith but the Tigers have secured 7 wins already. QB Chase Daniel and RB Tony Temple have done their share to make Missouri a 9-win threat.

4. Texas A&M (8-2): The Aggies are on the verge of their best season since 1998 with a powerful rushing attack that features two excellent backs: Mike Goodson and Jorvorski Lane.

5. Rutgers (8-0): You know the story. Did we see this coming after the Scarlet Knights finished 7-5 last season?

6. Indiana (5-5): They've already won the most games in a season since 1994. Terry Hoeppner had to have several brain surgeries. They upset Iowa and are one win away froma bowl. If only Hoeppner hadn't left the team early this season perhaps the Hoosiers would have defeated Southern Illinois and UConn.

7. BYU (7-2): The Cougars are having their best campaign since 2001 led by QB John Beck. BYU lost two games: at BC and on a last second field goal to Arizona. Not bad.

8. Ohio (7-3): Ok...the Bobcats need one more win to have their best season since 1968! Frank Solich has done a great job...that is when he isn't passed out over a steering wheel.

9.Kent State (5-4): The Golden Flashes probably blew their chance to win the MAC East with a loss at home to OU but 2 more wins secures their best season since the Glen Mason era (1987).

10. Central Michigan (6-3): The Chippewas need one more win for their best season since 1994.

Any others?

[doublee]

Taking a cue from Alex :thumbup:. Who ya like as the biggest pleasant surprise...

1. Wake Forest (8-1): I saw a few publications that had the Demon Deacons starting 6-1 or even 7-2 so I'm not too sure how much of a surprise this is but we have to remember this is Wake Forest. Freshman QB Riley Skinner has developed nicely for the Demon Deacons and their rushing attack is #3 in the ACC.


What makes it even more impressive is that Skinner was #3 on the depth chart coming into the season and they are so beat up at RB that Jim Grobe has resorted to moving a WR to the backfield.

I think Arkansas belongs at or near the top of that list. They were considered maybe the 7th or 8th best team in the SEC coming into the year and someone asked you to pick the lone team still unbeaten in conference play on this date I doubt anyone would have picked Arkansas to be that team. I don't remember seeing them in anyone's preseason Top 25 let alone a legit contender to be playing in the conference championship game. Pretty impressive given they have been playing a true freshman at QB the bulk of the season.

[Marc]

Kentucky at 6-4, seven wins barring a freak upset to Louisiana-Monroe next week, and a chance for eight at Tennessee. They won four games in the last two years combined, so this is more than worthy of mention. Where the props at? Granted, this isn't Rutgers, but c'mon. Last time we bowled was 1999 and this feels like heaven coming out of probation...

[AmberOSU]

3. Missouri (7-3): Gary Pinkel could only muster 8 wins in his best season with All-World QB Brad Smith but the Tigers have secured 7 wins already.


Little known fact: Gary Pinkel's son was in my high school class, and his daughter was in my sister's class. I went to high school in Sylvania, OH, a suburb of Toledo.

Anyway, I have to agree with Doublee, I don't think any pleasant surprise list is complete without Arkansas. And Kentucky's turnaround has definitely been a shock.

Um, can Texas losing two games count as a pleasant surprise? :D

[Alex]

The surprising thing about Wake is they've done it with a back up QB and back up RB. I figured that they would get off to a fast start but did anyone really see them beating Florida State 30-0 in Tallahassee? I don't think FSU had ever before been shutout at Florida State. Though a side note on that, I believe Oklahoma would've shut them out in the '01 Orange Bowl had the Sooners not intentionally taken a late safety on a punt.

Marc, can I not be shocked by Kentucky's success? I figured they'd be 6-6 and they ended up getting lucky with Georgia during their dry spell. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the 'Cats program seems to be improving but it's just not all that shocking outside of their win against Georgia.

[buckeyefan78]

Little known fact: Gary Pinkel's son was in my high school class, and his daughter was in my sister's class. I went to high school in Sylvania, OH, a suburb of Toledo.

Anyway, I have to agree with Doublee, I don't think any pleasant surprise list is complete without Arkansas. And Kentucky's turnaround has definitely been a shock.

Um, can Texas losing two games count as a pleasant surprise? :D

Little known fact: My brother taught Brad Smith in high school. :thumbup:

I'm cool on Arkansas as that big of a surprise. I had them pegged high and so did a few other outlets. I believe I had 'em at 8-4 or 9-3.

[eric]

How about Michigan being undefeated with one to go, I doubt anyone expected that.

[brady_44]

Lots of good stories this season... but Rutgers gets my vote hands down. Not only are they undefeated, but the way they played in the second half against Louisville makes me think they could play with anybody.

[brady_44]

And ya, forgot to mention Michigan... definately didn't see that coming. Although they will have to play lights out to beat OSU.

[doublee]

Michigan being unbeaten is a mild surprise at best. Granted, I doubt anyone thought they would be, but is it ever really a big surprise when a program like Michigan, OSU, USC, Oklahoma, etc. does better than expected?