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The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 7
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
We go through this every year. A #1 team has a bye week and, in accordance with sacred B-10 bylaws, drops from the top spot, giving way to another loser squad, usually a ceremonial pick till the prior #1 loses again. This pick over the years has varied from a zany Top 10 team who happened to suffer an upset loss, to B-10 perennial that may have won a game or two, to a really lousy team with legitmate B-10 title hopes, like Rice last week.
However when the ceremonial #1 loses big, the inevitable dispute over which lousy team to rank at the top ensues. It was even more so this week as B-10 pollsters were faced with Western Kentucky returning to action with their usual convincing loss and last week's #1 Rice resounding loss to Navy.
The controversy is sure to renew calls for a B-10 playoff. Or not.
This week's imbroglio:
1. Western Kentucky (0-5; lost to Florida International 37-20)
Mitigating Factors: Hilltoppers show no ill effects of bye week, extending NLLS to 13 games in key loss to previously unvictoried FIU…Offense show curious mid-game interest with two (2) touchdowns to pull within three before defense takes charge in second half and gives up 20 points.
Numbers Game: Hilltoppers rank 110th or worse in an impressive eleven (eleven) NCAA stat categories including Dead Last in Rushing Defense and Total Defense and Next To Dead Last in Scoring Offense and Sacks.
Next Loss: UL-Lafayette
2. Rice (0-6; lost to Navy 63-14)
Mitigating Factors: Owl fan(s) up in arms over dropping from #1 despite getting clobbered by latest crop of naval officer candidates who spend halftimes planning assaults on student union and reciting John Paul Jones quotes…Defense feeling patriotic, allowing Navy to steam to touchdowns on first five (5) possessions…Offense musters just 21 rushing yards…Combined with Rice Stadium attendance of 15,096 Owls attain 1:2,757.33 Rushing-Yards-To-Empty-Seat ratio, tops in NCAA…Rice ranks Dead Last in NCAA in Scoring Defense (44.33. ppg). …
Historical Footnote: Owls last three bowl appearances -1961 Bluebonnet, 2006 New Orleans, 2008 Texas - have been followed by losing/winless streaks of at least four games.
Bonus Lead Line/The Defense Rests: Owls give up 63 or more points in a game for second time in 53 weeks and the fourth time this century.
Next Loss: at East Carolina
3. Miami Ohio (0-6; lost to Northwestern 17-6)
Mitigating Factors: Nation's second-best losing streak now at 11 games, Bobcats have had losing streaks of at least five (5) games in three of last four seasons…While offense gets all the attention, ranking Dead Last in headlining Scoring Offense (10.67 ppg) category, Bobcats also can't return kickoffs, hold on to the ball or punt, ranking Dead last in Kick Off Returns and Turnover Margin and 118th in Net Punting.
Brownie Points: After starting season with consecutive shutouts offense getting extra helpings at training table for having scored in four consecutive games.
Next Loss: at Ohio
4. New Mexico (0-6; lost to Wyoming 37-13)
Mitigating Factors: Lobos require snow plows, law enforcement escort to make game on time…Should have stopped at truck stop and picked up new playbook as offense musters just 47-yards rushing while defense gives up 179-yards on ground…Lobos first B-10 team to give up points on safety, field goal and touchdown in one game.
Mr. October: Lobos actually led 7-2 until bases load triple, grand slam home run, gives Wyoming lead for good in second inning.
Next Loss: UNLV (Oct. 24)
5. Ball State (0-6; lost to Temple 24-19)
Mitigating Factors: Cardinals rounding into form for stretch run that sees four of last five games against Cardinal Heading schools by turning the ball over five (5) times…Cardinals offense really not that good as two touchdowns a direct result of Temple's - still showing the signs of ineptness that made them B-10 staples earlier this century - inability to properly snap the ball on punts.
The Long March: Current eight (8) game losing streak best since team lost 21 straight in 1998-2000.
Next Loss: Bowling Green
6. Nevada Loss Vegas (2-4; lost to BYU 59-21)
Mitigating Factors: Pollsters yield to media pressure to include schools from non-traditional B-10 conferences like the Sun Belt and Pac-10 by ranking second Mountain West team…Rebels trying to rebound from five (5) win debacle in 2008 and return to form that earned four straight 2-win seasons from 2004-07 inclusive…Current three (3) game losing skid eighth such streak this century.
On The Radar: Rebel 'defense' drawing B-10 pollsters interest by giving up 122 points last two (2) games.
Next Loss: Utah
7. Cheyney (0-6; lost to Millersville 47-36)
Mitigating Factors: With I-AA Indiana State off, D-II Wolves get temporary custody of Continental Cup - given to team with longest all-division losing streak in North America - with 23rd straight loss…Cheyney fumbles seven times - impressive even by B-10 standards - and loses four, which lead to 21 Millersville points…Wolves last win came in September, 2007 against Lock Haven, who themselves have lost 17 straight.
Triple Threat: Wolves have also lost 56 straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference games and 26 straight road games.
Next Loss: at Bloomsburg
8. York University (0-6; lost to Western Ontario 64-6)
Mitigating Factors: NAFTA mandated midseason entry has lost Canadian best 17 straight, 14 straight in US losses with current exchange rate…Lions have given up 60 or more points in a game three times, and 40 or more points in two other losses.
What The Hell's Going On Here, Eh? York not only ranks Dead Last in both Scoring Offence and Scoring Defence, getting outscored an average of 48.8-11.4 per game, but they are only team in hemisphere who has not made a field goal this year.
Next Loss: Ottawa
9. Washington State (1-5; lost to Arizona St. 27-14)
Mitigating Factors: Cougar offense - which ranks Next To Dead Last in Total Offense and 117th in Scoring Offense - overcomes defense which intercepts three passes and picks up three (3) ASU fumbles converting them into three (3) punts, two interceptions and only one (1) touchdown…Despite being Cougars closest loss of season, game not really close as Cougars claw way to 19-0 halftime deficit before showing token second half interest with two touchdowns.
Oh, By The Way: Cougars also rank 118th in Total Defense, 111th in Scoring Defense and 116th in Rushing Offense.
Next Loss: at Cal
10. Purdue (1-5; lost to Minnesota 35-20)
Mitigating Factors: Boilermakers make big push for automatic Big Ten bid to B-10 regionals with fifth straight loss...Purdue constructing historic B-10 run with losses to Cardinal Heading school (Northern Illinois), B-10 Hall of Fame school (Northwestern) and overrated alleged national power (Notre Dame)…Thinking game was only 15 minutes long, Purdue leads 10-0 after first quarter, only to be told by the referee they had to play three more periods as they were carrying coach Danny Hope off the field.
Get The Trophy Case Ready: Following opening win, Boilermakers in thick of race for Tostitos Plaque, issued to team with longest losing streak in a season that actually includes a win.
Next Loss: Ohio State
This Week's Clash of the Titans: Bowling Green at Ball State
This Week's Sun Belt Conference Classics: UL-Lafayette at Western Kentucky; Florida Atlantic at North Texas
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