Fastest rising college football programs in 2016

The Mountaineers gave Tennessee all it could handle in a Week 1 overtime loss after going 11-2 last season. They're one of the favorites in the Sun Belt Conference again this season.

Despite a 2-4 start last season, Bret Bielema's Razorbacks finished the year 8-5 with key wins against Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU. They're off to a great start this season at 3-0, including a gutsy double-overtime win at TCU.

Can Army finally beat Navy this season? The Black Knights last won the rivalry in 2001, but they're off to a 3-0 start and showing an improved defense. Their Week 1 win at Temple showed just how improved they are over their 2-10 performance last season, featuring a run-heavy offense that has 209 rushes compared to 19 pass attempts in three games.

Some thought former quarterback Jared Goff was the Cal offense, but this year's Bears team has already proved that wasn't the case. Senior quarterback Davis Webb is off to a fantastic start in Sonny Dykes' offense, and the team has started the year 2-1 with a big win vs. Texas. The Bears hope to improve on an 8-5 finish last season.

The Chippewas have produced some impressive NFL talent recently, including Antonio Brown, Joe Staley and former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher. The team went 7-6 last season and is off to a 3-0 start this season, including a miracle win that shouldn't have been vs. Oklahoma State. Former NFL special teams coach John Bonamego has the program moving forward as the head coach.

The Buffaloes have had trouble being competitive since Gary Barnett was ousted from the program and last made a bowl in 2007. It looks like Mike MacIntyre has finally turned things around in his fourth season, with the team starting the year 2-1 and playing Michigan tough in its only loss.

Head coach Jim McElwain helped the Gators compete in the SEC East in his first season, and they're among the favorites for the division this year after a 3-0 start. Their quarterback issues continue following the injury to Luke Del Rio, but the team has shown elite defense with only 14 points allowed over its first three games.

Former Ohio State assistant Tom Herman is arguably the most sought-after big-time head coaching candidate in football with what he's built in Houston in just two seasons. The Cougars are legitimate College Football Playoff contenders after taking down Oklahoma in Week 1, coming off a 13-1 season that included wins vs. Memphis, Temple and Florida State.

The Cardinals showed they're for real in Week 3, demolishing Florida State 63-20 in Week 3 and vaulting quarterback Lamar Jackson atop the Heisman race. Head coach Bobby Petrino is a proven winner at the college level, and the Cardinals have quickly become an elite team.

If Miami's dominant Week 3 win at Appalachian State is any indication, new head coach Mark Richt has the Hurricanes on the right track. Miami has underachieved for several years but now looks like a real contender in the ACC, especially with only one currently ranked opponent on the schedule.

It's easy to forget Michigan was a five-win team just two seasons ago given how quickly Jim Harbaugh has turned the program around. The Wolverines went 10-3 last season and are College Football Playoff contenders in the Big Ten with a 3-0 start.

Nebraska made a surprise hire of former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley last year and went a disappointing 6-7 last season. However, the Cornhuskers only lost one game by more than one score and are off to a strong 3-0 start this season, including a Week 3 win over Oregon.

Pitt went 8-5 last season and is off to a nice start after a big Week 2 win vs. in-state rival Penn State. The Panthers have a manageable ACC schedule that only includes two currently ranked teams, and James Conner has returned to be the team's workhorse at running back.

Running back Donnel Pumphrey is perhaps the most exciting player in football whom not many have seen, averaging 8.2 yards per carry through three games. The Aztecs have started 3-0, including a win vs. California, after going 11-3 last season.

The Vols were favorites to win the SEC East coming into the year before a disappointing overtime win vs. Appalachian State in Week 1. They've still gotten off to a 3-0 start after improving to 9-4 last season, and there remains high hopes for them in 2016.

After going 5-7 last season, it looks like Charlie Strong's Longhorns are on the right track. They took down Notre Dame in Week 1 and look like potential contenders in what's shaping up to be a weak year in the Big 12.

The Aggies seemed to stagnate after Johnny Manziel left the program, but they're off to a great start at 3-0 this season. Texas A&M beat UCLA in Week 1 and Auburn in Week 3, and looks ahead to Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss with a murderous SEC schedule. Despite their schedule, the Aggies have a strong chance to improve on their 8-5 record from last season.

With Oklahoma apparently faltering, TCU looks like the favorite in the Big 12 this season. Defense has been an issue, but the Horned Frogs are 2-1 with only a double-overtime loss vs. Arkansas as the blemish on their résumé. They went 11-2 last season, including in an incredible triple-overtime win vs. Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.

Toledo went 10-2 last season and looks like a force to be reckoned with again in the MAC this season after a 3-0 start. Head coach Jason Candle was promoted from assistant head coach and offensive coordinator this year, and the team has easily won against Arkansas State, Maine and Fresno State thus far.

UCLA's Week 1 loss at Texas A&M was a disappointment, but the team has rebounded vs. UNLV and BYU. Sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen is an excellent NFL prospect, and former NFL head coach Jim Mora Jr. has a great chance to improve on last season's 8-5 record.

Utah was supposed to take a fall after losing running back Devontae Booker, but the team is off to a strong 3-0 start this season with a host of running backs replacing him. After going 10-3 last season, the Utes have a chance to do even better in the competitive Pac-12 this year.

Chris Petersen built quite a program at Boise State, and the Huskies have one of the most talented young rosters in the country. They've started the year 3-0 and have high hopes in the Pac-12 with quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin.

Coach Mike Leach's Cougars have gotten off to a poor start this season due to mediocre defense, but they were a surprise at 9-4 last season and have the offense to compete with anyone with Luke Falk at quarterback.

After going 8-5 last season, the Broncos look like major contenders in the MAC with their impressive 3-0 start prior to conference play. They've beaten Northwestern and Illinois already, as quarterback Zach Terrell has completed more than 70 percent of his passes. Head coach P.J. Fleck is a candidate for a big-time head coaching job if the progress continues.

Head coach Dana Holgorsen was on the hot seat coming into the year, but the team looked strong in a Week 1 win vs. Missouri and faces a wide-open Big 12 conference ahead. After losing five games last season, the Mountaineers seem likely to improve this year with what looks like an easier schedule on paper.