For the 8 remaining unbeatens atop college football, a November to remember may await

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. Iowa State's Jonathan Vande Walle (80), Jeremiah Cooper (4), Samuel Same (45), and Matthew Bess (16) celebrate Iowa State's 38-35 victory over Central Florida on Oct. 19 in Ames, Iowa.

“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.” Army quarterback Bryson Daily runs to score a touchdown during an Oct.

19 game against East Carolina in West Point, N.Y. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. The New York Liberty celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series to win the WNBA championship, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs for a touchdown as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, bottom, attempts to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif.

(AP Photo/Ryan Sun) Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) pulls in a pass reception over Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine, center, poses with teammates Lea Tahuhu, left, and Suzie Bates with the trophy after winning the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final match against South Africa at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) New Zealand's Suzie Bates plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Liverpool's Curtis Jones, right, scores his side's second goal past Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) Emirates Team New Zealand, right, and Ineos Brittania race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Ryann O'Toole of the United States hits out of a bunker on the 14th green during the final round of the LPGA Ladies Championship golf tournament at the Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, South Korea, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) AC Milan's Samuel Chukwueze, left, and Udinese's Jordan Zemura challenge for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Udinese at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

(AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The ball hits the helmet of New Zealand's Will Young as he attempts to play a shot on a delivery by India's Ravindra Jadeja during the day five of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis, top right, passes the ball off under the basket against New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (20) and Tyler Kolek (13) during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell) New York Yankees' Aaron Judge is hit by a pitch thrown by Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee throws against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) PSG's Bradley Barcola, center, gets in a shot during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Team members stand along the fence celebrating as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, wins the U.S.

Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen and catcher Will Smith celebrate their win against the New York Mets in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Argentina's Lionel Messi jumps for the ball challenged by Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.

(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, heads the ball ahead of Scotland's Grant Hanley during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Scotland and Portugal at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Nashville Predators left wing Cole Smith (36) shoots the puck past Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct.

17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Washington Wizards forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. puts up a floater in the first half during a preseason NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Monday, Oct.

14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Central Florida cheerleaders perform on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla.

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, tops a hill during a qualifying session for the Formula One U.S.

Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Ineos Britannia races during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 4 race 5 in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Oct.

16, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the locker room after their win against the New York Mets in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles.

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