An undefeated nonconference slate does not make a Big Ten champion. That's understood.
But the 3-0 starts for Maryland and Minnesota are intriguing, prompting wonder if these programs could produce some surprises this conference season.
The Terrapins were selected to finish sixth in the Big Ten East Division in a preseason media poll, while the Golden Gophers were picked to finish fifth in the West Division. Of course, neither team's strength of schedule ranking so far would be in the top 90.
With their Big Ten seasons kicking off on Saturday _ Minnesota against Purdue and Maryland at Penn State _ a better sense of their potential should emerge.
"We were able to get through the nonconference undefeated," Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys said on Tuesday's weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference. "But this is what we all get excited about. It's a tremendous challenge on the road."
The Gophers, he said, need to improve on cutting down penalties on offense and giving up big plays on defense. They have been penalized 73.3 yards per game on 27 total penalties to rank 13th in the league.
The Terrapins are returning to campus for the first time since their opener against Howard on Sept. 3 after playing at Florida International and Central Florida.
A key to their success has been ball security as they have no turnovers.
"It's something we address every day around here," first-year Maryland coach D.J. Durkin said.
Of course, he knows what's ahead.
"The schedule only gets tougher as we go," he said.
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