SPORTS
Five things learned in first month of college football season
![The Big Ten is, uh, not good: Take away Northwestern’s 5-0 record, and the Big Ten was 2-9 in nonconference play against teams from BCS automatic-qualifying leagues. Any questions?](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/09/30/michigan-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Big Ten is, uh, not good: Take away Northwestern’s 5-0 record, and the Big Ten was 2-9 in nonconference play against teams from BCS automatic-qualifying leagues. Any questions?
Tim Heitman, US Presswire![Offenses are getting even further ahead: Since 1968 — the first year national scoring broke 20 points a game — offenses have rarely taken a step back. But this year they’re on a pace for 30.5 points per game per team, which would shatter the 2007 record of 28.4.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/09/30/oklahoma-state-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Offenses are getting even further ahead: Since 1968 — the first year national scoring broke 20 points a game — offenses have rarely taken a step back. But this year they’re on a pace for 30.5 points per game per team, which would shatter the 2007 record of 28.4.
Mark D. Smith, US Presswire![The SEC East is back: After several years in which the balance of power shifted almost entirely to the West, it looks like the East is ready to challenge again with three teams — Georgia, South Carolina and Florida — ranked in the top 11.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/09/30/georgia-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The SEC East is back: After several years in which the balance of power shifted almost entirely to the West, it looks like the East is ready to challenge again with three teams — Georgia, South Carolina and Florida — ranked in the top 11.
Daniel Shirey, US Presswire![Alabama is even better than last season: With A.J. McCarron’s improvement at quarterback, the Tide now have an offense to go with a defense that is still capable of crushing dominance, despite losing several key pieces from last season.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/09/30/alabama-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Alabama is even better than last season: With A.J. McCarron’s improvement at quarterback, the Tide now have an offense to go with a defense that is still capable of crushing dominance, despite losing several key pieces from last season.
John David Mercer, US Presswire![Notre Dame still moves the needle: Between the 4-0 start and its new scheduling agreement with the ACC, it was a busy month in South Bend. And, oh yeah, its ugly Sept. 22 victory vs. Michigan was the highest-rated TV game that weekend.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/09/30/notre-dame-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Notre Dame still moves the needle: Between the 4-0 start and its new scheduling agreement with the ACC, it was a busy month in South Bend. And, oh yeah, its ugly Sept. 22 victory vs. Michigan was the highest-rated TV game that weekend.
Matt Cashore, US PresswireFeatured Weekly Ad