• Several teams, including Indiana and Virginia, have exceeded early-season expectations. • A number of first-year coaches, such as UNLV's Dan Mullen, are finding immediate success. • Alabama has recovered from an opening-week loss to become the nation's highest-ranked one-loss team.

Clemson losing three of four out of the gate. No. 17 Texas losing twice. Bill Belichick going winless against the Power Four. Penn State firing James Franklin .

The first half of college football’s regular season was jammed with surprises, from the disappearing act of many preseason College Football Playoff contenders through the Nittany Lions ’ decision to kickstart what will be an unpredictable coaching cycle .

But some of these are surprises of the more positive variety, featuring unexpected results

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