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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 11
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
With North Texas dutifully winning their first game of the year - and breaking their share of the nation's longest losing streak (NLLS) - Washington and Washington State take center stage at the Bottom Ten.
And while Bottom Ten fan(s) everywhere would normally - and rightfully - be salivating over two hated rivals battling it out for the Wal-Mart Trophy Presented by Motel 6, we sadly point out the genius schedule maker scheduled games for both the Huskies and the Cougars the week after the Sour Apple Cup!
This week's mess:
1. Washington State (1-8; lost at Stanford 58-0)
Mitigating Factors: Cougars lose fifth straight, obligingly handing Stanford first conference shutout since 1974…Cougars have scored three or zero points four times in 2008, haven't scored since second quarter of Oct. 11 game and have been outscored by California schools 221-6.
Go Cougs? Washington State ranks Dead Last in Scoring Defense and Next To Dead Last in Total Offense, Scoring Offense and Rushing Defense.
Next Loss: Arizona
Editor's Note: The score of Stanford's last Pac-8/10 shutout is in some dispute, at least by the team they shutout. The Stanford media guide lists the score of their October 16, 1974 game as a 17-0 victory over Oregon. The Oregon media guide lists it as a 17-9 Stanford victory. Newspaper accounts have it 17-0.
2. Washington (0-8; lost at USC 56-0)
Mitigating Factors: Huskies celebrate Tyrone Willingham's firing by grabbing sole possession of NLLS, celebrating tenth straight loss by being shutout for the first time this season…188 passing yards allowed fewest of season, however easy-going Trojans did everything to avoid humiliating Huskies except hike the ball directly to them.
Arf! Arf! Huskies rank 110th or worse in 12 official NCAA stat categories.
Next Loss: Arizona State
3. SMU (1-8; DNP)
Mitigating Factors: Bye week teams usually given week off, but Mustangs seven game skid still good for second best in country…14 game conference losing streak best in nation, and 14 game road losing streak second best.
Insert Lame Defense Rests Line Here: Mustangs have given up at least 600 yards in a game twice, between 500-600 yards once and 400-500 yards five times.
Next Loss: Memphis
4. Indiana State (0-9; lost at North Dakota State 34-7)
Mitigating Factors: FCS Sycamores reinforce iron grip on Continental Cup, issued to team with longest losing streak in North America, with 23rd straight loss…34 points actually second-fewest points allowed in a game all season…Indiana State ranks dead last in FCS in both Scoring Offense and Scoring Defense, getting outscored by an average of 46.44 to 6.22.
Missed It By That Much: Sycamores actually tied 7-7 in first quarter, the closest they have come to leading a game since leading SE Missouri State 14-0 on Sept. 27.
Next Loss: at Youngstown State
5. Michigan (2-7; lost at Purdue 48-42)
Mitigating Factors: Once-proud Wolverines paying price for hiring cheap, Mexican laborer as head coach with worst-ever seventh loss…Wolverines blow leads of 14-0, 28-14, and allow Purdue to score game-wining touchdown in last minute…2008 Wolverines join historic 1982, 1936 and 1934 teams as losingest Michigan teams ever.
So Much For Strength Of Schedule Points: The two teams Michigan did beat this year, Miami, Ohio and Wisconsin, are a combined 6-11.
Next Loss: at Minnesota
6. BCS
Mitigating Factors: Spared from having to sort through one three undefeated team debacle with Texas' loss, BCS has another three team fiasco brewing with ascension of Texas Tech…Either way, Penn State still gets screwed.
Yeah, Yeah: BCS still insisting playoff would never work despite success at FBS, Div. II and III levels.
Next Loss: Ah, who cares anymore.
7. Bottom Ten Alumni Association
Mitigating Factors: B-10 perennials Temple, Buffalo, Army, Vanderbilt, Duke, Rice nowhere to be found in 2008, and are a not-too-bad 25-26 on the season, though idle Vanderbilt has lost three straight and B-10 pollsters are keeping a spot warm for them…Even Florida International, of all things, is 3-5.
Ten Hut: With loss to Air Force Saturday, Army can lock Sgt. Bilko Trophy - symbolic of service academy lousiness - with loss to Navy.
8. North Texas (1-8; defeated Western Kentucky 51-40)
Mitigating Factors: Defending champs deal back-to-back title hopes severe blow with first road win in two years…Playing under experimental First Team To 50 rule, game ends without porous Mean Green defense being allowed chance to blow lead…Defense gives up 504 yards, the fifth time this season they have given up at least 500 yards in a game.
Stat Quest: Not So Mean Green ranks Next To Dead Last in Scoring Defense and Total Defense.
Next Loss: Florida Atlantic
9. Iowa State (2-7; lost at Oklahoma State 59-17)
Mitigating Factors: Cyclones downgraded to Light Drizzles following seventh straight loss, tied for second-best in nation…Cyclone defense charges into Hot 100, jumping from 98th in Total Defense to 109th after allowing a whopping 682 yards to Cowboys.
Hey, What About Us? With both wins coming in season's first two games, Light Drizzles leading candidates for Tostitos Plaque, issued annually to team with longest losing streak in a season that actually includes a win.
Next Loss: at Colorado
10. Defense
Mitigating Factors: Once-proud aspect of popular team sport relegated to bench as all the best athletes are now pumped into high octane offensive machines…Only 22 of 119 FBS teams give up less than 300 yards a game, and 25 give up 400 or more…Meanwhile, 35 teams average 400 or more yards of offense a game, and seven average more than 500.
Scoreboard, Baby: 29 teams are giving up 30 or more points per game, and ten teams score 40 or more points per game, and 27 score 30 or more.
This Week's Clash of the Titans: Arizona State at Washington
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