MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — None of the last eight unbeaten teams in major college football this season were unbeaten going into November last year. Or the year before that. Or the year before that.
Or in the decades before that, in some cases.
The last eight unbeatens: 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,” Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. said after the Hurricanes beat Florida State on Saturday. “We’ve just got to keep attacking, go 1-0 every single week. On to the next.”
In the cases of Oregon, Penn State and maybe Miami, those starts aren’t necessarily surprising. With regard to everyone else on the list, yes, it’s fair to say most would be surprised. Of the eight teams, five were unranked in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. And three of the eight — Pitt, BYU and Indiana — weren’t even supposed to be in the top half of their conferences if preseason rankings are to be believed.
“It means everything,” Indiana offensive lineman Mike Katic said after the Hoosiers beat Washington to remain unbeaten and extend perhaps 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.”
Take away the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, and the last time Indiana was undefeated going into November was 1967. That 57-year wait is more than most on the list — but nothing compared with Iowa State. The last time the Cyclones were unbeaten going into November was during World War II; the last time they were unbeaten and untied this late into the calendar was 1938.
“The character of our team keeps showing up,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after the Cyclones — who were off 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.”
No. 1 Oregon
Last time unbeaten entering November: 2013 (excludes 2020, when the Ducks were 0-0)
Regular-season games left: Saturday at Michigan, Nov. 9 vs. Maryland, Nov. 16 at Wisconsin, Nov. 30 vs. Washington
Preseason pick: 3rd in AP poll, 2nd in Big Ten
Outlook: A pair of long trips still await, but there’s no ranked teams (as of now, anyway) left on the regular season schedule.
No. 3 Penn State
Last time unbeaten entering November: 2019
Regular-season games left: Saturday vs. No. 4 Ohio State, Nov. 9 vs. Washington, Nov. 16 at Purdue, Nov. 23 at Minnesota, Nov. 30 vs. Maryland
Preseason pick: 8th in AP poll, 3rd in Big Ten
Outlook: A five-game November slate starts with the showdown against the Buckeyes, a game with Big Ten and playoff implications.
No. 5 Miami
Last time unbeaten entering November: 2017
Regular-season games left: Saturday vs. Duke, Nov. 9 at Georgia Tech, Nov. 23 vs. Wake Forest, Nov. 30 at Syracuse
Preseason pick: 19th in AP poll, 3rd in ACC
Outlook: The Hurricanes haven’t faced a ranked team yet this season and almost certainly won’t this month, either.
No. 9 BYU
Last time unbeaten entering November: 2020
Regular-season games left: Nov. 9 at Utah, Nov. 16 vs. Kansas, Nov. 23 at Arizona State, Nov. 30 vs. Houston
Preseason pick: Unranked in AP poll, 13th in Big 12
Outlook: Off this week, and then the showdown in Salt Lake City awaits against the Utes. The trip to Arizona State will be tough as well.
No. 11 Iowa State
Last time unbeaten entering November: 1938 (not counting a 4-0-1 start in 1944)
Regular-season games left: Saturday vs. Texas Tech, Nov. 9 at Kansas, Nov. 16 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 23 at Utah, Nov. 30 vs. No. 17 Kansas State
Preseason pick: Unranked in AP poll, 6th in Big 12
Outlook: A five-game November for the Cyclones as well, and the last two games on the slate might be the toughest.
No. 13 Indiana
Last time unbeaten entering November: 1967 (not counting a 2-0 start in 2020)
Regular-season games left: Saturday at Michigan State, Nov. 9 vs. Michigan, Nov. 23 at No. 4 Ohio State, Nov. 30 vs. Purdue.
Preseason pick: Unranked in AP poll, 17th in Big Ten
Outlook: The surprise of America, perhaps. The Michigan rivals await the next two weeks, and then a potential showdown in Columbus might decide the Hoosiers’ Big Ten hopes.
No. 18 Pitt
Last time unbeaten entering November: 1982
Regular-season games left: Saturday at No. 20 SMU, Nov. 9 vs. Virginia, Nov. 16 vs. No. 11 Clemson, Nov. 23 at Louisville, Nov. 30 at Boston College
Preseason pick: Unranked in AP poll, 13th in the ACC
Outlook: Pitt’s defense has been stellar, and it’ll be tested against SMU and Clemson. The Panthers have a chance in their hands.
No. 21 Army
Last time unbeaten entering November: 1996
Regular-season games left: Saturday vs. Air Force. Nov. 9 vs. North Texas, Nov. 23 vs. No. 8 Notre Dame, Nov. 30 vs. UTSA, Dec. 14 vs. Navy
Preseason pick: Unranked in AP poll, 5th in the American Athletic
Outlook: Army has scored 42 or more points in each of its last four games. Big tests await but the offense looks legit.
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