A few comparable runs by non-BCS teams and where they peaked in recent seasons:
Gonzaga, 2012-3: #1 in AP after 29-2 start (#21 in AP Preseason Poll)
Murray State, 2011-12: #9 in AP after 23-0 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2007-8: #1 in AP after 17-0 start (#3 in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2006-7: #5 in AP after 27-3 start (#14 in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2005-6: #3 in AP after 17-2 start (#12 in AP Preseason Poll)
Gonzaga, 2005-6: #4 in AP after 27-3 start (#8 in AP Preseason Poll)
George Washington, 2005-6: #6 in AP after 26-1 start (#21 in AP Preseason Poll)
St. Joseph's, 2003-4: #1 in AP after 27-0 start (#17 in AP Preseason Poll)
Gonzaga, 2001-2: #6 in AP after 29-3 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
Princeton, 1997-8: #8 in AP after 25-1 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
I did not include teams from Conference USA pre-meltdown or the WAC during its glory days since those leagues were very much treated as power conferences by the press.
Source.
Gonzaga, 2012-3: #1 in AP after 29-2 start (#21 in AP Preseason Poll)
Murray State, 2011-12: #9 in AP after 23-0 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2007-8: #1 in AP after 17-0 start (#3 in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2006-7: #5 in AP after 27-3 start (#14 in AP Preseason Poll)
Memphis, 2005-6: #3 in AP after 17-2 start (#12 in AP Preseason Poll)
Gonzaga, 2005-6: #4 in AP after 27-3 start (#8 in AP Preseason Poll)
George Washington, 2005-6: #6 in AP after 26-1 start (#21 in AP Preseason Poll)
St. Joseph's, 2003-4: #1 in AP after 27-0 start (#17 in AP Preseason Poll)
Gonzaga, 2001-2: #6 in AP after 29-3 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
Princeton, 1997-8: #8 in AP after 25-1 start (unranked in AP Preseason Poll)
I did not include teams from Conference USA pre-meltdown or the WAC during its glory days since those leagues were very much treated as power conferences by the press.
Source.
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