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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 6
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
When it rains, it pours. Bottom Ten pollsters have been waiting all season for the obligatory, early-season upset of a highly ranked team so we could shoot them straight to the Top 5. It’s always great fun, with Notre Dame last year providing laughs all season long.
But the AP Top 5 was one big disaster area, as the #1, #3 and #4 teams all lose. And, of all things, Florida International won the week before the game B-10 fans everywhere were pointing towards, this week’s showdown with defending champion North Texas in the most anticipated B-10 matchup since last year's Michigan/Notre Dame classic.
And, of course, the nation’s longest losing streak (NLLS) was snapped (for the sixth time in 2008) as UTEP, previously losers of nine straight, beat Central Florida.
This week’s mess:
1. Army (0-4; lost to Texas A&M 21-17)
Mitigating Factors: Black Knights of the Hudson show character of B-10 champions, overcoming a fairly good performance by allowing late first half fumble that is returned for touchdown…With UTEP win, Army now proud, sole owners of NLLS at ten games…Navy dishonorably discharged from War Department entry following third win so pollsters can focus attention on Cadets.
And The Losses Go Rolling Along: Current skid is only the third-longest Army losing streak this century as Black Knights have also racked up another 10-game skid, plus eleven and 19-game losing streaks.
Next Loss: at Tulane
2. North Texas (0-4; lost to Rice 77-20)
Mitigating Factors: Mean Green in it all the way until the second quarter when, trailing 28-20, rebound to give up 49 unanswered points… North Texas ranks 100th or worse in a whopping 15 NCAA stat categories, including Dead Last in Scoring Defense (54.75 ppg) and Next To Dead Last in Pass Efficiency Defense, whatever that is.
Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better: Offense scores TD’s on three of first four possessions but defense clutch, giving up TD’s on first eight possessions.
Next Loss: Florida International
3. SMU (1-4; lost to Tulane 34-27)
Mitigating Factors: Another ranking powerhouse, SMU ranks 100th or worse in 12 official NCAA stat categories, showing versatility that wins B-10 titles by ranking Dead Last in Rushing Offense (36 ypg) and Total Defense (519.2 ypg)
Bound For Glory: Mustangs have not beaten non-FCS or Sun Belt Conference team since beating Tulsa in November, 2006.
Next Loss: at Central Florida
4. BCS
Mitigating Factors: Annual fiasco starting more or less on schedule as #1 USC, #3 Georgia and #4 Florida all lose, which means one of them will probably be playing in the title game…USC loses to 25-point underdog, Florida loses at home to Ole Miss team that had lost to national powers Wake Forest and Vanderbilt.
FunFact: Georgia saves some face by losing to pretty good Alabama team, but even Bulldogs mail it in, sprinting out to 31-0 deficit.
Next Loss: Entire season.
5. Washington State (1-4; lost to Oregon 63-14)
Mitigating Factors: Cougars never in this one either, trailing 14-0 before anyone needed a deodorant, 21-0 after first quarter and 35-7 at the half…Offense busts loose for seven drives of less than ten yards.
The Defense Rests: Cougars alleged ‘defense’ has given up 500 or more yards three times this season and 60 or more points twice…By contrast, 12 FBS teams have yet to give up 60 points this season.
Next Loss: at UCLA
6. Idaho (1-4; lost to San Diego State 45-17)
Mitigating Factors: Defense showing way to B-10 glory, ranking Next To Dead Last in Scoring Defense (47.0 ppg), 117th in Total Defense (503.4 ypg) and 115th in Passing Defense (294.8 ypg)…Vandals have lost 20 straight to FBS teams and with Duke beating Virginia now have nation’s best 14 game conference losing streak.
FunFact: Vandals even gave up 27 points in win against FCS team that has lost eight straight.
Next Loss: Nevada
7. Temple (1-4; lost to Western Michigan 7-3)
Mitigating Factors: After early field goal, Owls offense announce their work is done, turning game over to defense who give up third quarter touchdown after which everyone but marching band announce they, too, are done and take rest of game off…Exciting MAC conference game features 17 punts, 10 points, for thrilling 1.7-to-1 Points-To-Punts ratio…Owls regaining form that made them B-10 staples having lost four straight.
Consistency Counts: Temple also scored three points against Western Michigan in 2007.
Next Loss: at Miami (Ohio)
8. Texas A&M (2-2; defeated Army 21-17)
Mitigating Factors: Once-proud program barely scrapes win against losingest team in country, requiring gift fumble on a silver platter, late fourth quarter defensive stop to beat team that hasn’t won in almost a year.
Great Moments With Dana Bible: Aggies opened season with 18-14 home loss to dreaded Arkansas State.
Next Loss: at Oklahoma State
9. Last Week’s Bottom Ten
Mitigating Factors: QA department on hot seat following poll that only featured nine teams…External audit by Washington Mutual accounting department revealed there was no #5 team.
Doesn’t Anybody Copy Edit This Stuff? After flogging, mandatory viewing of Notre Dame highlights, pollsters reaffirm commitment to upholding usual high standards of poll by ranking ten teams for rest of season.
10. Florida International (1-3; defeated Toledo 35-16)
Mitigating Factors: Golden Whatevers shoot themselves in foot for second straight year, derailing B-10 title hopes win…FIU wins despite completing only six (6) passes, rushing for 141 yards and getting 12 first downs. When All The Laugher Died In Winning: FIU hoping to get back on B-10 medal stand track in must-lose game Saturday with North Texas.
Next Loss: at North Texas
This Week’s Clash of the Titans: Florida International at North Texas
This Aint Going To Be Any Good Either: Entire Pac-10 schedule
We Need HDTV For This/This Week’s MAC Thriller: Temple at Miami, Ohio
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