I am a big believer in keeping sample size in mind whenever you view anything in sports. I don't even start paying attention to stats or records until the halfway point of the season in any sport. However, even though we're only one week into college football season, some teams have already made statements with wins in week one. Whether or not these statements prove themselves out during the season we will have to wait to see, but for now here are a few teams that won games in relatively significant ways.
Michigan: I started rooting for Ole Miss last season just in hopes of Houston Nutt sticking it to all the Arkansas fans who treated him in despicable ways. I'm now hoping that Rich Rodriguez can turn Michigan around sooner rather than later and rub it in the face of all the myopic naysayers. Not only that, this team is exciting, as anybody who saw them trounce Western Michigan in the opener. This is going to be a bowl team, and if Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson can live up to their hype, they could win nine games this season.
Notre Dame: UM's week two opponent also came into this year with a coach in hot water, albeit not a particularly sympathetic one. The biggest thing about the Irish's 35-0 win over Nevada isn't the 35 points for, but the shutout they pitched. Nevada isn't a bad offensive team, so shutting them out in impressive. With their easy schedule, it looks like a BCS game might be a lock.
Boise State: Their win over Oregon was overshadowed by a post game punch, but it would be remiss not to remember that the Broncos beat the #16 team in the nation, and they didn't do it in a shootout. If their offense picks it up, they could make another run at a BCS bowl.
BYU: Speaking of potential BCS busters, who saw the Cougars beating Oklahoma? BYU is already a top ten ranked team, and they still play TCU and Utah. If they win out, you will hear rumblings for them playing in the national championship game.
USC: This is mostly about Matt Barkley. I know it was only San Jose State, but a 56-3 win showed that Barkley is at least serviceable. Ohio State is the litmus test, but the Trojans have to be optimistic right now.
Missouri: A lot of people, myself included, were righting the Tigers off without Chase Daniel or Jeremy Maclin. I thought Illinois would have their way with them. Arrelious Benn injury aside, a 37-9 drubbing of the Fighting Illini leads me to believe that rumors of Missouri's demise were greatly exaggerated.
Cincinnati: The Big East is wide open, and almost any team looked like they could win it this season. Some people were picking Rutgers to take the BCS bid, but those people have presumably changed their minds after the Bearcats walloped the Scarlet Knights 47-15. If you are looking for an early favorite to win the Big East, I don't think you need to look any further than last year's champs.
Those are the wins that stuck out to me. Anybody else stick out to any of you out there?