Michigan Wolverines
Yes, Denard Robinson (671 passing yards, 559 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) has been ridiculous. But that defense? Not so much. Surrendering 37 points to FCS school UMass is inexcusable for a team trying to rebuild its brand. The Wolverines (No. 21 in the latest AP poll) need to plug the leak before they play Michigan State, Iowa and Penn State in late October. Otherwise, the fall will be swift and painful. Pretender
Auburn Tigers
They haven’t played anyone of substance yet. But the Tigers have proved two things: They can win in hostile territory in the SEC, and they can bounce back in the face of adversity. Auburn took care of business against an improved Mississippi State team in cowbell country in Week 2. The Tigers trailed Clemson 17-0 in the first half Saturday before rallying to win 27-24 in OT. Up next: a huge showdown with 3-0 South Carolina. Contender
USC Trojans
Scholarship-depleted Southern Cal can still beat inferior teams, but this 3-0 start has all the stability of a papier-mâché art project. Beating Hawaii in a shootout, squeaking past rebuilding Virginia and topping Big Ten also-ran Minnesota by 11 don’t exactly inspire confidence in Lane Kiffin‘s squad, which still has to play Oregon, Stanford, Arizona and Oregon State later this season. Pretender
