We still have 27 teams that haven’t lost a game, so they’re still contenders to bust the BCS. I was getting pretty sure that Boise State was coming off the list until Virginia Tech gifted them more than enough time to take the win, and I’m glad they did. But instead of trying to profile all 27, we’re just going to check in on the guys from last week’s list and add a few to fill it back in to 10. We bid a fond farewell to Middle Tennessee State and Northern Illinois, and also to Navy who wasn’t on the list but should have been. They may still have great seasons, but they won’t be in the BCS picture.
Since we’re calling it a watch, we’ll name it for the week coming up. The top 25 (later) is named for the week gone by. It makes no sense, I know.
Like last week, we’re skipping Boise State, TCU, and Utah and sticking with 10 teams that could make a run, or at least win enough games to get noticed before the schedule tears them down. For now, these are presented in no particular order.
| Team | W | L | Last Week | This Week | Coaches Poll |
| Houston | 1 | 0 | d. Texas State | UTEP (Fri) | 26th |
| Houston gave up some points to Texas State, and their defense is the big question mark. This week’s game with UTEP has revenge written all over it- UTEP was the first team to beat the Cougars a year ago. Future games: at UCLA, Miss State, at Texas Tech | |||||
| UCF | 1 | 0 | d. South Dakota | NC State | NR |
| One of the biggest games of the week on the Fringe is in Orlando Saturday night, as the only team in CUSA to hold anyone under 10 points takes on a passing attack from the ACC. Future Games: at Kansas State, at Houston | |||||
| Central Michigan | 1 | 0 | d. Hampton | at Temple (Thu) | NR |
| The Chips start with a top MAC team, then Eastern Michigan next week, before heading out to play against BCS level competition. Future Games: at Northwestern, at Virginia Tech, at Northern Ill, at Navy | |||||
| Temple | 1 | 0 | d. Villanova | Central Michigan (Thu) | 52nd |
| The MAC will narrow down it’s list of unbeaten contenders in a hurry. Things only get worse from here for Temple with UConn and Penn State lurking before September ends. | |||||
| Air Force | 1 | 0 | d. Northwestern State | BYU | 52nd |
| We may have to add the big three back to this list next week, because it’s going to get short in a hurry. Air Force hasn’t beaten BYU since 2003 and have to like their chances, but the Cougars looked pretty good against Washington. Future Games: at Oklahoma, Navy, at TCU, Utah | |||||
| BYU | 1 | 0 | d. Washington | at Air Force | 24th |
| If BYU can overcome Air Force on the road on September 11, then we’ll know they’re immune to almost any distraction or home field advantage. That won’t automatically make them better than TCU or Utah, but it will speak volumes about mental toughness. Future Games: at Florida State, Nevada, at TCU, at Utah | |||||
| Fresno State | 1 | 0 | d. Cincinnati | idle | 45th |
| Fresno picked up a handful of votes for knocking of Cincinnat, the first of three BCS foes they’ll face. They get a week off before heading over to face plucky Utah State in week 3. Future Games: at Ole Miss, at Boise State, Illinois | |||||
| Nevada | 1 | 0 | d. Eastern Washington | Colorado State | 52nd |
| Nevada took their time putting away Eastern Washington, raising a few questions about this year’s defense. If they can’t hold Colorado State down this weekend, then there’s trouble ahead. Future Games: Cal, at BYU, at Fresno State, Boise State | |||||
| East Carolina | 1 | 0 | d. Tulsa | Memphis | NR |
| Our first newcomer this week, earns the spot on account of beating an FBS opponent. In high flying, if defense-free fashion. They did get a sole vote in the AP, and what should be an easy home game against Memphis means they’ll be on this list at least a little while. Future Games: at Virginia Tech, at North Carolina, NC State, at UCF | |||||
| Troy | 1 | 0 | d. Bowling Green | at Oklahoma State | NR |
| Troy gets the last spot for beating a MAC opponent, even if I don’t think BGSU is up for a very good year. If Troy can go out and beat Oklahoma State, well, now we’re talking. That doesn’t seem terribly likely, but we’ll keep an eye on them for now. Future Games: at Middle Tennessee, at South Carolina | |||||