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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 14
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
  
Everything in the B-10 is going down to the wire. And it all comes down one game this Saturday as Florida International losers of 23 straight, try to claim their first Wal-Mart Trophy Presented by Motel 6 by losing to North Texas.
This game has implications across the Bottom Ten, as the race for the Tostitos Plaque, symbolic of having the longest losing streak that actually includes a win, also hangs in the balance. Currently, SMU, Idaho and Minnesota have finished their seasons with not only 1-11 records, but with ten straight losses and all three stand to claim the Tostitos Plaque with the usual FIU loss.
However, should Florida International, and remember, its our duty to consider every possible scenario no matter how far fetched, actually win, then they would claim the Tostitos Plaque, based on their 1-11 record and eleven straight losses.
This week's mess:
1. Florida International (0-11; lost to Florida Atlantic 55-23)
Mitigating Factors: Golden Panthers take drama out of game early, giving up 28 second quarter points to trail 35-3 at half...Offense gets happy faces from coaching staff for topping 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a game for first time this season.
Light At The End Of The Tunnel: Florida International can tie Northwestern's all-time I-A losing streak of 34 games with a loss in game 10 next year.
Next Loss: North Texas
2. BCS
Mitigating Factors: Playoff proponents achieve, maintain states of arousal after BCS computers left to sort through week where both the #1 and #2 teams lose, leaving Top 5 populated with four one-loss teams and one two-loss team...Heck, entire Top 10 could probably present a strong case for inclusion in national championship game, meaning BCS is sanding, shellacking eight broom handles, instead of the usual two or three.
What The Hell's Going On Here: Georgia, a team not even good enough to play in its conference's championship game, is ranked fourth, making it entirely possible that for the third time BCS will send a non-conference champion to title game.
3. Duke (1-11; lost to North Carolina 20-14, OT)
Mitigating Factors: Blue Devils make strong case for B-10 medal stand, strong 2008 pre-season ranking, missing field goals at end of regulation and in OT before rolling over and allowing 25-yard touchdown run on UNC's first OT play...Blue Devils have lost nine straight and 42 of 46, including 16 straight at home and 25 straight in ACC.
Cut And Paste This For Next Year: Blue Devils making strong Team of Century claim, having compiled five seasons of zero or one win, 10-82 record in Double Aughts.
4. UNLV (2-10; lost to New Mexico 27-6)
Mitigating Factors: Rebels get Sandman Award, symbolic of team that does best job of sleepwalking through season, following uninspired six point, 233-yard, 16 first down performance.
Strong Finishing Kick: Last year's Tostitos Plaque recipient following 2-10 season that included a ten game losing streak Rebels end 2007 on eight game skid.
Next Loss: Mike Sanford's job.
5. Rice (3-9; lost to Tulsa 48-43)
Mitigating Factors: Owls show football is team game, gaining 700 yards and getting 38 first downs and still losing as defense does its part, allowing touchdown passes of 49, 31 and 29 yards.
But Close, Real Close: Owls finish season just 94 yards behind Minnesota in race for dead last in Total Defense stat race.
Next Loss: Season over
6. Notre Dame (3-9; defeated Stanford 21-14)
Mitigating Factors: Irish, who haven't won a bowl game since 1994, again blow it in season finale, winning second straight, ending all hopes of B-10 medal stand finish...Team rewarded for second straight win as priests hold special naked communion ceremony for offensive line, water boys.
'A' For Effort: Irish tried to lose, losing three fumbles, throwing an interception and missing a field goal.
Next Loss: Season over
7. Idaho (1-11; lost to Utah State 24-19)
Mitigating Factors: Vandals earn WAC spot in B-10 regionals, losing showdown to Utah St. team that itself had lost 16 of 17...
FunFact: Vandals become first team this century to post one-win seasons in separate conferences, having gone 1-10 during 2001 season when they were in the Sun Belt conference.
Next Loss: Season over
8. SMU (1-11; lost to Memphis 55-52, 3OT)
Mitigating Factors: Mustangs taking hard road to B-10 glory, losing third OT game this season
FunFact: Owls become first team this century to post a zero and a one win season in separate conferences, having gone 0-12 while in the WAC in 2003.
Next Loss: Season over
9. North Texas (2-9; defeated Western Kentucky 27-26)
Mitigating Factors: Mean Green shoots self in B-10 foot, overcoming 20-7 deficit, avoiding loser-take-all showdown with Florida International this Saturday.
Title Hunt: Needs to give up 732 total yards to Florida International to overtake Minnesota for dead last in Total Defense stat race...732 is a lot of yards to give up, even for North Texas.
Next Loss: at Florida International
10. Orange Bowl Stadium
Mitigating Factors: Venerable, historic stadium - home of Super Bowls, Orange Bowls, the Miami Dolphins and Hurricanes and Olympic soccer matches - hosts last football game Saturday, as North Texas/Florida International train wreck contaminate hallowed grounds.
Planning Ahead: Community leaders looking to condemn, tear down stadium at halftime to make stadium blend in with lousy football game.
This Week's Clash Of The Titans: North Texas at Florida International
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