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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 13
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
  
As usual this late in the season, teams start taking themselves out of the race for the Wal-Mart Trophy Presented by Motel 6 with untimely, season-ruining victories, as both Notre Dame and Utah State somehow manage to pull out victories.
This paved the way for Duke to return to the runner-up spot, standing by should Florida International happen to lose.
And Minnesota ended its season strong, losing to arch-rival Wisconsin, finishing with a ten game losing streak and making a strong case for the Tostitos Plaque, symbolic of the longest losing streak in a season that also includes a win, although Florida International could still win it outright should they go 0-11 only to win their final game.
This week's mess, including prospects for a place on the Bottom Ten medal stand:
1. Florida International (0-10; lost to Louisiana - Lafayette 38-28)
Mitigating Factors: Golden, Losing Panthers overcome season-high point output, first and second quarter leads with strong defense that allows 284 rushing yards, four rushing TD's...Trailing 28-21 and facing fourth and one at the five, Panthers show imagination that wins B-10 titles by running up the middle for no gain, then allowing 95-yard touchdown drive.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Very good...With 0-10 record, nations-best 22-game losing streak, the B-10 title is FIU's to lose...Even one loss shouldn't hurt medal stand chances, though wins in remaining two games could annoy pollsters enough to 86 from entire poll.
Next Loss: Florida Atlantic
2. Duke (1-10; lost to Notre Dame 28-7)
Mitigating Factors: Duke able to fight through Notre Dame mystique for clutch, turnover inspired loss...Though loss was Blue Devils' eighth straight, team officially eliminated from contention for Tostitos Plaque - symbolic of longest losing streak in season that actually includes a win - with Minnesota's season ending tenth straight loss.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Very good...Even if they should somehow beat North Carolina, Duke will get legacy votes from pollsters for starting season with 20-game losing streak and being only school with two 20-game losing streaks...Key is not looking ahead to 2008 schedule that includes Northwestern, Navy, Vanderbilt and James Madison.
Next Loss: at North Carolina
3. Minnesota (1-11; lost to Wisconsin 41-34)
Mitigating Factors: Gophers lose tenth straight and will claim at least a share of Tostitos Plaque should FIU lose out, though SMU, Idaho also in contention...With season over, defense holding breath, waiting to see if holds on to dead last ranking in Total Defense (518.67 ypg) and runner-up North Texas needs to give just 1081 yards in last two games to take title.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Almost guaranteed, as ten game skid now second best in nation.
Next Loss: Season over
4. AP/BCS #2
Mitigating Factors: Oregon becomes the fifth #2 team to lose, 34-24 at Arizona...Ducks get bonus points by losing starting QB for remainder of season...Ducks join USC, South Florida Cal and Boston College, pave way for Kansas.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Pretty good actually, considering entry is figment of pollsters imagination...There is no reason to think Kansas and whoever replaces them won't lose, and the final #2 team is guaranteed to lose BCS title game anyway.
5. Notre Dame (2-9; defeated Duke 28-7)
Mitigating Factors: Historic, once in a lifetime B-10 run derailed as Irish unable to take B-10 pressure, take advantage of Duke turnovers and rush for more than 100 yards for just third time all season...Irish also get smiley faces from Sister of the Broken Home Losing streak for mustering rushing TD in a game for fourth time.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Grim...Big loss at Stanford could help, but Irish hampered by system where late season win hurts more than early season win, though Irish counting on usual inflated ranking, Orange Bowl bid simply because they are Notre Dame.
Next Loss: at Stanford
6. University of Nevada - Loss Vegas (lost to TCU 34-10)
Mitigating Factors: Rebels nine losses have come to teams in seven states, though UNLV lacks national name recognition because only one (Wisconsin) came to a team west of Rockies...Rebels have lost 14 straight conference road games.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Not too good...Will have eight game losing streak should they lose finale, which must be treated with respect, but Rebels only lost to one B-10 ranked team, though they will get bonus points for breaking Colorado State's 13-game losing streak.
Next Loss: at New Mexico
7. BCS
Mitigating Factors: Computers throwing hands up in desperation after fifth #2 team loses as BCS officials privately start Googling "Playoffs" and "Clusterf*ck".
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Still too early to say, though with one undefeated (for now) team and five one-loss teams in top 6, BCS officials could be left longing for simpler times when the worst that could happen was BCS sent non-conference champion to title game, or left out consensus #1.
8. North Texas (1-9; lost to Arkansas St. 31-27)
Mitigating Factors: Defense has given up fewer than 400 yards in a game once...North Texas awarded 1992 National Championship by AP after close loss to Arkansas State team which beat Louisiana - Monroe, which beat Alabama Saturday...Defense needs to give up 1081 yards in last two games to overtake Minnesota for dead last in Total Defense rankings, something it has already done four times this season.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Mixed...Needs big loss to Western Kentucky Saturday, and, of course will get strong look should it upset and lose to Florida International in two weeks.
Next Loss: Western Kentucky
9. Utah State (1-10; defeated New Mexico St. 35-17)
Mitigating Factors: There are no mitigating factors with Utah State this week.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Not too good...Pollsters take dim view of snapping a 16-game losing streak the week before Thanksgiving...Only hope is blowout loss to Idaho team that itself is 1-10, plus Duke, Florida International wins, emergency implementation of I-A playoff system.
Next Loss: at Idaho
10. D - III Playoffs
Mitigating Factors: Real, NCAA sponsored football playoffs begin with man-sized 32 team D-III tournament...Exciting opening weekend features defending national champion and favorite, Mt. Union, winning, plus a top seed, Washington and Jefferson, losing...Continue this weekend with start of I-AA, D-II playoffs.
B-10 Medal Stand Update: Grave...D-III playoffs included because pollsters like D-III playoffs, hope for I-A playoffs one day.
This Week's Clash of the Titans: Utah St at Idaho
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