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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 2
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
It's not even Labor Day and already the nation's longest losing streak has been snapped, with Minnesota - formerly part of the International Border Commission entry with Idaho - defeating Northern Iowa 31-27.
Fortunately, they weren't the only teams that entered 2008 with ten game losing streaks, and both SMU and Idaho managed to pull out losses to extend the nation's longest losing streak (NLLS) to eleven games as the chase for the Wal-Mart Trophy Presented by Motel 6 got underway!
Still though, with all the upheaval (Buffalo and Temple both won again!) it's comforting to know Michigan is the Week 2 #1 for the second straight year.
The Week 2 Imbroglio:
1. Michigan (0-1; lost to Utah 25-23)
Mitigating Factors: For second straight year Wolverines toy with B-10 pollsters by tanking opener at home, to again vault to top of B-10 rankings…Wolverines manage to save some face by losing to a real major-college team this time, instead of losing to the defending Pop Warner champions like they did in 2007…Wolverines manage just 36 yards rushing and eleven first downs, four of them by penalty.
A Look Back: Wolverines got off to great 0-2 start in 2007, only to blow B-10 medal stand chances with eight-game winning streak.
Next Loss: Miami, Ohio
2. Idaho (0-1; lost to Arizona 70-0)
Mitigating Factors: Keeps pace with SMU by extending NLLS to eleven games…Vandals muster only seven (7) first downs and 112 total yards and have lost 17 of 18
Well, This Is A Good Start: Idaho hasn't won an opener against a major-division team since beating UTEP to start 1973.
Next Loss: Idaho State
3. Sun Belt Conference (1-5 non-conference, 1-1 conference)
Mitigating Factors: Losing teams in non-conference games outscored an average of 38.6 to 12.8 and gave up an average of 479.4 yards per game…Crew led by pace-setting Louisiana-Lafayette who gives up a whopping 633 yards to Southern Mississippi…Conference now 34-201 non-conference since 2001.
Fly In The Ointment: Only Arkansas State's curious, historic 18-14 upset of Texas A&M prevented a perfect 0-6 weekend.
4. Army (0-1; lost to Temple 35-7)
Mitigating Factors: Quest for 12th straight losing campaign off to solid start as Black Knights out rush and out gain Owls, plus they have the ball 14 minutes longer than Temple…Cadets forget to score, though, with one drive lasting 60-yards only to end on one-yard line when offensive line stops playing to dig latrine trench…Turnovers key, as two Black Knight fumbles lead to two Temple touchdowns.
Total Team Effort: Special teams do their part, allowing second half kickoff to be returned for touchdown.
Next Loss: New Hampshire
5. Holy Trinity (0-1; SMU lost to Rice 56-27; Notre Dame, Wisconsin Lutheran: DNP)
Mitigating Factors: Triumvirate's first B-10 Crusade gets off to great start as Mustangs extend NLLS to eleven with electrifying performance blowing 13-0 lead, rushing for eleven yards…Has won four games this century against FBS teams that have finished season with winning record…Has also had losing streaks this century of 15, eight, six and six.
Go In Peace, Serve Lou Holtz: SMU currently leads NCAA with 5:1 Penalty-To-Rushing-Yards Ratio.
Next Losses: SMU: Texas State; Notre Dame: San Diego State; Wisconsin Lutheran: at Northwestern (Minn.) College
6. Utah State (0-1; lost to UNLV 27-17)
Mitigating Factors: Aggies return to B-10 for first time since blowing 2007 medal stand chances with end of season two game winning streak….Punting game in fine shape, though, as punter Peter Caldwell averages over 46 yards a kick…Utah State still leads this historic series 12-7, which says something, but B-10 pollsters are too lazy to find out what.
Commitment To Excellence: Aggies have lost 36 of their last 43 and have not had a winning season since going 6-5 in 1996.
Next Loss: at Oregon
7. San Diego State (0-1; lost to Cal Poly 29-27)
Mitigating Factors: Aztecs rush for 27 yards, lose three (3) fumbles, wonder why defense was on field for almost 40 minutes…Loss proves 2006's 16-14 loss to Cal Poly was no fluke.
Under The Radar: Aztecs ranked for first time (or maybe the second time, we're not too sure) despite not having had a winning season since 1998.
Next Loss: at Notre Dame
8. Florida International (0-1; lost to Kansas 40-10)
Mitigating Factors: Golden, Loveable Loser Panthers out to show heartbreak of 2007 - where a victory over North Texas in the final game cost them the B-10 title - is behind them with blowout, routine loss.
The Road Ahead: After 2007 debacle, Panthers will be sure to take one game at a time and not to look ahead to Oct. 4 revenge game against North Texas.
Next Loss: at Iowa
9. Syracuse (0-1; lost to Northwestern 30-10)
Mitigating Factors: Blowing leads of 3-0, 10-9 should be good practice in case Syracuse ever leads anybody again…Another under the radar team, Orange have lost 17 of 20 and 28 of 34.
Hey, Didn't We Used To Be Good: After having winning seasons from 1987-2001, Orange are 23-48 since.
Next Loss: Akron
10. North Texas (0-1; lost to Kansas State 45-6)
Mitigating Factors: Trailing 42-0, defending B-10 champions rebound for six (6) unanswered points, only to give up crucial field goal with five seconds left for heartbreaking loss…471 yards allowed only third worst amongst losing Sun Belt Conference teams.
Bracketology: With games against Tulsa, LSU and resurgent Rice coming up, Mean Green should be in prime, 0-4 shape for do-or-die Florida International rematch Oct. 4
Next Loss: Tulsa
This Week's Clash of the Titans: San Diego State at Notre Dame
This One Aint Gonna Be Any Good Either: Texas State at SMU
Bottom Ten Alumni Association: Buffalo - Buffalo! - is one 1-0 following a 42-17 destruction of UTEP. So is Temple, who insists on full credit for its vicotry despite only beating Army.
Oh, What Might Have Been: Had Duke not beaten Northwestern last year, this Saturday's game against Northwestern would have been to tie Northwestern's all-time major college losing streak record of 34 games.
No Room At The Inn: The following drops outs leave the Bottom Ten this week: Duke, Toronto, BCS, NCAA, VMI, Minnesota
Shameless Plug:Don't miss the Week 2 NFL poll Tuesday! Since the NFL hasn't actually started yet, it will be the usual Week 2 crap - The Interregnum Poll - featuring witless social commentary, plus the awarding of the Jim Hanifan Medallion, symbolic of preseason NFL lousiness. Don't miss it!
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