Checking in on the surprising team, young faces in FBS

A few weeks ago, I cited a few college football teams who I thought would exceed expectations this season. Kentucky, Hawai’i, Minnesota, North Texas, Buffalo, South Florida, Cincinnati and Syracuse have all had their moments so far.

Kentucky is the 14th ranked team in the nation with a 6-1 mark but still have to face Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Louisville. Could the ‘Cats end up 10-2? Or dare I say, wind up in the SEC title game? Maybe, but more wins than losses down the stretch would net a big season for a program not used to such lofty success.

Hawaii, 3-9 last season, is 6-3 currently. Many pegged the Rainbow Warriors among the bottom 10 in FBS this season. A tough finishing stretch of Fresno State, Utah State, UNLV and San Diego State still remains for UH but bowl eligibility is what they crave.

Minnesota began 3-0 but have since dropped four in a row. Injuries and a true freshman quarterback are a tough combination to overcome.

North Texas sits with a 6-2 record after a 9-5 season in 2017. Rice, Old Dominion, Fla. Atlantic and UTSA remain.

Buffalo was 6-6 last year but sits 7-1 this go ’round. Miami (Ohio), Kent State, Ohio and Bowling Green are on the schedule with a chance to play in the MAC title game within reach.

South Florida, 7-0 and 20th ranked, faces big tests in Houston and Cincinnati ahead.

Speaking of Cincinnati, last season’s 4-8 campaign is a distant memory. The 6-1 Bearcats have some tests ahead starting with a game at SMU followed by matchups with Navy, South Florida and UCF.

Syracuse is 5-2 after finishing 4-8 last season. The Orange will be tested by North Carolina State in the Carrier Dome this weekend. Wake Forest and Louisville are favorable matchups but tough tests against Notre Dame and Boston College also remain.

BIG KIDS NOW: A few first year starters are opening eyes this season as the leading weapons for their offenses.

Texas Tech QB Alan Bowman has thrown for 2,088 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. His 605 yards and five scores against Houston this season helped the Red Raiders win a 63-49 track meet.

Sophomore QB Jack Abraham has filled a void for Southern Miss is in his first season as a starter for the Golden Eagles. He has 1,850 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Freshman RB Jermar Jefferson of Oregon State is the third leading rusher in the nation. He has tallied 899 yards (6.8 yard average) with 12 touchdowns.

Another pair of freshmen runners, Indiana’s Stevie Scott with 695 yards (4.9 y/c) plus six scores and Auburn’s JaTarvious Whitlow with 626 yards (6.3) plus four touchdowns, look like potential long term answers as lead backs.

Sophomore Eno Benjamia has 753 yards (5.5 yards/carry) and seven touchdowns for Arizona State

Two future defensive stars are freshmen safties making an impact.

Syracuse free safety Andre Cisco has four interceptions along with 28 tackles while Cade Sterns also has pilfered four passes to go along with 26 stops for the surging Texas Longhorns.