Stewart Mandel's Three-point Stance

1
A much-improved defense is the key to Northwestern's first 5--0 start since 1962. Under new coordinator Mike Hankwitz, the Wildcats rank ninth nationally in scoring defense (12.4 points per game), up from 88th a year ago, and with 17 sacks are just one short of last season's total.

2
BYU (4--0) is up to seventh in the coaches poll and eighth in the AP poll. Traditionally, an unofficial ceiling has been placed on non-BCS teams (in 2004 undefeated Utah peaked at No. 4), but increased respect for the Mountain West could prompt voters to treat the Cougars more generously.

3
No. 4 Missouri's defense ranks 79th in yards allowed, but the Tigers (4--0) say that's because their offense scores so quickly. We'll soon find out if that's the case: They face top 20 passers Joe Ganz (Nebraska), Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State) and Colt McCoy (Texas) in their next three games.