Ashton JeantyLoren Orr/Getty Images
T-25. UNLV Rebels: Chaotic
Would you like to talk about two road victories over power-conference teams? How about the starting quarterback leaving for NIL-related reasons? Or the school being caught in a tug-of-war between the Mountain West and rebuilding Pac-12? What a wild month for 4-0 UNLV.
T-25. Texas A&M Aggies: Lively
Excluding the Week 2 rout of lower-division McNeese, every weekend has been interesting for Texas A&M. The excitement of a clash with Notre Dame ended in disappointment, but the Aggies rode backup quarterback Marcel Reed to a win at Florida, inched past Bowling Green and clipped Arkansas.
24. Illinois Fighting Illini: Respectable
On the heels of a 5-7 season, Illinois needed a bounce-back year. Early victories over Kansas and Nebraska have the Illini on a positive path, even as September ended with an expected loss to Penn State. Two more marquee games loom in October with Michigan and Oregon on the slate, but Illinois seems headed for a solid 8-4 campaign.
23. Indiana Hoosiers: Outstanding
Indiana, meanwhile, is flirting with the best season in program history. Already at 5-0, the Hoosiers could lock in bowl eligibility with a victory over Northwestern. From there, IU has a terrific chance to match or surpass its record of nine wins. The #NineWindiana chase is back!
22. Louisville Cardinals: Predictable
If you told me Louisville would be 3-1 entering October, I would’ve said the Cardinals lost to Notre Dame. And I am simply one of many who thought the same thing. Louisville is now in a pivotal stretch of the campaign that includes home ACC games against SMU and Miami.
21. Boise State Broncos: Dynamic
UNLV stayed in the Mountain West, but Boise State announced its plans to join the Pac-12 in the near future. On the field, running back Ashton Jeanty has been incredible. He’s rushed for 845 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the Broncos start 3-1 with a competitive loss to Oregon.