Top 10 Pleasant Surprises

Arkansas
Last season the 4-7 Razorbacks averaged a nation's-worst 56.5
rushing yards. Under new coach Houston Nutt, Arkansas (4-0) has
rushed for more yards (767) in four games than it ran for all of
last season.

Arizona
The Wildcats are the only Pac-10 team that has never gone to the
Rose Bowl, but quarterbacks Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins could
help 5-0 Arizona break that streak.

Colorado
Coming off the Buffaloes' worst season in 13 years, coach Rick
Neuheisel found a quarterback in Mike Moschetti, and Colorado is
5-0 going into this week's showdown with fifth-ranked Kansas
State.

Marshall
The Herd didn't lose its thunder when All-America receiver Randy
Moss left for the NFL. After a 31-17 victory over Miami of Ohio,
Marshall is 5-0 and could be headed for a perfect season.

North Carolina State
With victories over Florida State and Syracuse, the Wolfpack has
a chance for its second ACC title since 1973, when Lou Holtz
roamed the sideline in Raleigh.

Oregon
The 4-0 Ducks (above) are thinking Rose Bowl thanks to the
leadership of senior QB Akili Smith (357 yards passing, four TDs
against Stanford).

Texas Christian
New coach Dennis Franchione has given the Horned Frogs new life,
taking over a 1-10 team and winning three of his first four
games at the helm, including Saturday's 19-16 overtime victory
against Vanderbilt.

Texas Tech
The Red Raiders have a Ricky Williams, a potent offense and,
after their 5-0 start, a shot at winning the Big 12 South.

Tulane
After last year's 7-4 finish, the Green Wave's best in 18
years, Tulane is 4-0 and ranked for the first time since 1979.

Virginia Tech
The 4-0 Hokies sit atop the Big East thanks to an offense that
has seen seven players score at least one touchdown.

--B.J. Schecter

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN GRESS/AP [University of Oregon players tackling Stanford player]