None of the last eight unbeaten teams in major college football this season were unbeaten at the start of November last year, or the year before that, or even the year before that. In fact, this has been the case for decades in some instances.
The current unbeaten teams are: No. 1 Oregon (8-0), No. 3 Penn State (7-0), No. 5 Miami (8-0), No. 9 BYU (8-0), No. 11 Iowa State (7-0), No. 13 Indiana (8-0), No. 18 Pitt (7-0), and No. 21 Army (7-0).
“It can get real special,” said Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. after the Hurricanes defeated Florida State on Saturday. “We’ve just got to keep attacking, go 1-0 every single week. On to the next.”
For Oregon, Penn State, and possibly Miami, their strong starts aren’t too surprising. However, most people would be surprised by the other teams on the list. Of the eight, five were unranked in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. Three of them — Pitt, BYU, and Indiana — were not expected to be in the top half of their conferences based on preseason rankings.
“It means everything,” said Indiana offensive lineman Mike Katic after the Hoosiers beat Washington to stay unbeaten and continue what might be the best feel-good story in college football this fall.
“I love this place with my whole heart, and I’m so grateful for everyone in this program that has helped me get to where I am. I’m so proud of this team and these coaches for everything and breaking through and getting Indiana football back on top.”
If you exclude the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, the last time Indiana was undefeated going into November was in 1967. That 57-year wait is longer than most of the teams on the list, but it pales in comparison to Iowa State.
The last time the Cyclones were unbeaten heading into November was during World War II, and the last time they were unbeaten and untied this late in the year was in 1938.
“The character of our team keeps showing up,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after the Cyclones, who had a bye this weekend, rallied to beat UCF on Oct. 19. “You can say, boy, you really love this team in January and you can say, boy, I really love this team in spring ball.
But I think the reality is that it is who they have grown to become in the offseason and as a football team. The leadership and the resolve just showcase themselves.”
