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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 3
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
The Week 3 poll is always gut check time at the Bottom Ten, with teams that are looking to rebound from an early season win (Army, North Texas) trying to show they have what it takes for Bottom Ten glory and surprise losers (Tulane, Rice) looking to show they are in the race for the Wal-Mart Trophy Presented by Motel 6 for the long haul.
And there were upsets! Pollsters were so shocked at Washington snapping the Nation's Longest Losing Streak (NLLS) at 15 with their victory over Idaho they forgot to rank them this week and preseason B-10 #2 SMU is 2-0 for the first time since the first Clinton Administration.
This week's mess:
1. Washington State (0-2; lost to Hawaii 38-20)
Mitigating Factors: Quick start key for Cougars who streak out to 35-0 deficit as five of first seven drives end in turnovers, the other two in punts…Defense ensures loss is total team effort, allowing 626 total yards, garnering interest from Sun Belt Conference...Cougars have only lost three straight, but receive B-10 bonus points for not having beaten I-A team that finished season with winning record since 2006 and having lost 13 of last 15.
Yeah, We Bad: With game safely out of reach, Cougars rally to outscore Hawaii 20-3 in game's final 32 minutes.
Next Loss: SMU
2. Western Kentucky (0-2; lost to 35-13)
Mitigating Factors: Hilltoppers, in just their third year of I-A football, storm into B-10 survey for first time based on being co-holders of NLLS at 10 games…Hilltoppers early statistical juggernaut, already ranking Dead Last in Total Offense (183.5 ypg) and Next To Dead Last in Passing Offense (66.5 ypg) and Total Defense (559 ypg)
What The Hell's Going On Here? B-10 pollsters relatively unfamiliar with Hilltoppers, still researching when Western Kentucky was admitted to the Union.
Next Loss: Central Arkansas
3. Tulane (0-2; lost to BYU 54-3)
Mitigating Factors: Green Trickle now proud co-owners of NLLS, 10 straight, and are getting outscored by an average of 45.5 to 8.0 points a game…With slightly lower attendance and two fewer rushing yards, Green Trickle checks in with a 1:1,242.26 Rushing-Yards-To-Empty-Seats-Ratio.
Name Game: With games against LSU, UTEP, UCF and SMU remaining, Tulane trying to become first team to go 0-5 against Letter Schools since, MIT lost to RPI, CIA, FBI, DIA and NATO in 1984.
Next Loss: McNeese State
4. Rice (0-2; lost to Texas Tech 55-10)
Mitigating Factors: Owl fans up in arms over dropping from B-10 medal stand (B-10 medal stand) despite decisive loss…With offense ranking 100th or better in all categories, showing the way to B-10 glory, ranking Dead Last in Scoring Defense (49.5 ppg) and Passing Defense (364.5 ypg).
So Much For That: B-10 pollsters were hoping to accent entry with humiliating stat concerning how Rice seldom beats Texas Tech, but Owls actually 20-26-1 all time against Red Raiders, including a respectable 3-4 mark since 1990.
Next Loss: at Oklahoma State
5. North Texas (1-1; lost to Ohio 31-30, 2OT)
Mitigating Factors: Somewhat Mean Green shows fortitude that won them 2007 B-10 title and earned medal stand finish last season with clutch 2OT loss…UNT leads 10-0 and 17-6 before defense takes charge and gives up 17 second half points…Uncharacteristic last-minute field goal prevents regulation loss, laying groundwork for overtime gut check.
Standing Tall: Not So Mean Green holding head high at B-10 meetings by still having nation's longest Conference (11 games) and Home (6 games) losing streaks.
Next Loss: Alabama
6. Oklahoma State (1-1; lost to Houston 45-35)
Mitigating Factors: Cowboys become first Top-5 team to earn token, hilarious B-10 ranking in 2009 following early season upset loss…Cowboys show late interest by taking first lead of game in 3rd quarter, but defense takes command, allowing 21 fourth quarter points…Cowboys rebounding nicely from last season's 7-0 start, having lost five of last eight.
Head of Steam: Cowboys have limped into bowl games with six or seven wins four times this century.
Next Loss: Rice
7. Army (1-1; lost to Duke 35-19)
Mitigating Factors: Army offense key in fourth quarter, producing two (2) touchdown passes to Duke CB Leon Wright to secure loss in 2009's first B-10 showdown…Black Knights of Confusion hoping to benefit from emergency legislation allowing Cadets to outscore their opponents this week.
This Is Definitely A Violation Of Regulations: Army offense mutinies, refusing to get first downs on five three-and-out possessions.
Next Loss: Ball State
8. Indiana State (0-3; lost to Eastern Illinois 31-0)
Mitigating Factors: Sycamores already mailing it in, not even bothering in this one, securing Continental Cup - given to team with longest all-division losing streak in North America - for another week with 29th straight loss…Punter Gabe Mullane Sycamores biggest offensive threat, three times punting ball inside 20-yard-line, including twice at the three…Sycamores also setting pace in I-AA with 17 straight conference and 14 straight home losses.
Nowhere To Run: With 20 points in opening loss, 10 points in last week's loss and zero points this week, Sycamores looking to become first team in history to score negative points in a game next week.
Next Loss: at South Dakota State
9. York (0-2; lost to Guelph 66-8)
Mitigating Factors: NAFTA-mandated Canadian entry has lost Great White North-best 13 straight…Historic, winless 2008 squad went four games scoring only two points, in losses four thru seven inclusive…Rebounded for 13 points in closing 50-13 loss.
Commitment To Kinesiology: Showing the university's priorities are in order, the page detailing the Lions' 2009 schedule, which hasn't been updated yet, the heading in the top left corner of your web browser reads "School of Kinesiology & Health Science".
Next Loss: McMaster
10. Iowa State (1-1; lost to Iowa 35-3)
Mitigating Factors: Defending Tostitos Plaque co-winners - given to team with longest losing streak in a season that actually includes a win - rebound from season-opening win for demoralizing in-state rival loss that sets tone for great B-10 run.
Strength of Schedule: Cyclones given benefit of early season doubt, but next two games against Kent State and Army will show if team has what it takes for B-10 Top 5 finish.
Next Loss: at Kent State
This Week's Clash of the Titans: Ball State at Army
This One Isn't Going To Be Any Good Either: Iowa State at Kent State
Obligatory Sun Belt Conference Blow Out of the Week: North Texas at Alabama
Oh What Might Have Been: Pollsters had been pointing to this week's SMU at #1 Washington State matchup, but with SMU off to a 2-0 start and the Cougars unable to stop anybody it is just another opportunity for the Cougars to start 0-3 in consecutive seasons since revered 1966-67 squads.
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