Each Power 5 Conferences’ Biggest Surprise Team
ACC
Syracuse
Just two seasons ago, the Orange finished the year with a 1-10 record in an all-ACC slate. The following year, they finished 5-7 just missing a bowl appearance.
However, in 2022, they’ve gotten off to a 5-0 start and jumped into Top-20 of the AP Poll. This undefeated start includes impressive wins over Louisville, Purdue, and Virginia.
This hot play has been led by quarterback Garrett Shrader. He averages 244.8 passing yards and 43.8 rushing yards per game. He’s also thrown for 10 touchdowns and just one interception while punching it in on the ground five times.
Sean Tucker also averages over 100 rushing yards a game and Oronde Gadsden II leads the team in receiving.
The other side of the ball features a defense that gives up the 10th least amount of yards per game in the country. This combination of solid quarterback play and a stifling defense has led to success that Syracuse hasn’t seen in years.
The Oranges’ schedule ramps up with multiple ranked opponents in their way, but this start may suggest that they have a chance to win those games.
Big Ten
Penn State
The Nittany Lions always seem to put together solid football teams but their last two seasons have resulted in them missing out on the final AP Poll’s Top-25. 4-5 and 7-6 seasons have led to Penn State failing to crack the rankings heading into the 2022 season, as well.
Despite this, the Nittany Lions have surged to a 5-0 start with road wins over Purdue and Auburn. Due to the undefeated start, Penn State has leaped into the Top-10 and is considered a contender for the Big Ten.
After struggling in his first four seasons, fifth-year senior Sean Clifford has shown he is capable of leading an effective offense at quarterback. The pocket passer is averaging 206 passing yards per game while totaling nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also scored four times on rushes.
Two solid options at running back in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen also help move the ball. Parker Washington, Brenton Strange and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver assist, as well. On top of this, a solid offensive line has kept Clifford upright.
The defense has been effective, too, ranking 13th in scoring defense. Dani Dennis-Sutton has recorded three sacks and a pair of safeties have both caught two interceptions.
Penn State faces two top-five teams in Michigan and Ohio State within the next three weeks. This will be a test to see how legit the Nittany Lions are and if they can truly compete for a Big Ten title.
Big 12
TCU
Since 2001, Gary Patterson has led the Horned Frogs to multiple successful seasons. He even propelled the program to a ranking as high as second in the country. However, following a 3-5 start to 2021, he stepped away.
It was assumed TCU would have a mountain to climb to get back to relevance but in Sonny Dykes first year, he has gotten off to a 5-0 start and a ranking of number 13 in the country. This start even includes back-to-back wins over ranked Oklahoma and Kansas teams.
The secret behind this success is an explosive offense that ranks third in the country in scoring and yards per game. At the helm of the attack is quarterback Max Duggan. He averages 261 passing yards and 40.8 rushing yards per game. He also has totaled 17 touchdowns with just a single interception.
Helping him is a stable of wide receivers. Six different wideouts have already totaled over 100 receiving yards. The defense is also stepping up when it matters while giving up just 23.8 points per game.
TCU now has consecutive games against number eight Oklahoma State and number 17 Kansas State to continue its gauntlet of a stretch. These games well be a great test on how legit TCU is.
Pac-12
UCLA
The Bruins have a rich history of college football success but under Chip Kelly, they’ve stumbled in most seasons. They went 3-9, 4-8 and 3-4 in his first three campaigns. Last year, they cracked the AP Poll at number 13 but fell out by the end of the season.
Now, they are off to a 6-0 start and are at number 11 in the country. Back-to-back wins over number 15 Washington and then number 11 Utah showcased the potential this team has.
The star of the team is Heisman hopeful Dorian Thompson-Robinson. At the midway mark of the season, he averages 251.7 yards per game through the air and 38.5 on the ground with a total of 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
In the backfield, Zach Charbonnet is averaging over 100 rushing yards per game. No wide receiver stands out but a deep group has been successful. This has led to the sixth ranked offense in yards per game.
The defense has been a step behind but the effective offense has made up for any struggles.
Before the season, everyone said the Pac-12 title ran through Utah. However, with UCLA knocking them off, it appears the title runs through Los Angeles whether it’s UCLA or USC. A late-season showdown with the Trojans will be must-watch TV.
SEC
Tennessee
Debatably, the most surprising team of the season has been the Vols. After finishing last season 7-6 in Josh Heupel’s first season, Tennessee missed out on a pre-season ranking. However, after dismantling Ball State they made an appearance in the Top-25. Since then, they’ve won three games over ranked opponents against Pitt, Florida and LSU. This early success in an undefeated start has led to the Vols jumping all the way to number six in the country. This is their highest ranking since 2005.
The reason for Tennessee’s success is possibly the country’s best offense. The Vols rank first in yards per game and second in scoring. Leading the charge is Heisman hopeful Hendon Hooker. He is off to an incredible start averaging 286.4 passing yards and 46.2 rushing yards per game. He has also combined for 13 touchdowns. Perhaps most impressively, though, is the fact that he is yet to throw a single interception.
The Vols’ pass attack is also helped through one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the country. Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy have combined for seven touchdowns as they headline the group. Likely the best receiver, Cedric Tillman, has missed the majority of the season after being injured against Akron. Despite this, Ramel Keyton has stepped up for an impressive amount of production.
The defense isn’t perfect and has surrendered multiple big games to opposing offenses. However, they have stepped up when it matters. Giving up just 13 points to LSU shows what they are capable of.
The tough schedule doesn’t get any easier, though. The Vols now host number three Alabama and also have number one Georgia and number 22 Kentucky on their slate. Even with a rough road ahead, Tennessee has a solid shot at making an SEC Championship appearance.