First Worst Futility Rankings – Week Four – Getting Crowded at the Bottom
Football Polls – The Bottom Ten
First Worst Futility Rankings – Week Four – Getting Crowded at the Bottom
The term ‘midseason form’ usually refers to a team that efficiently runs its plays and accomplishes its defensive objectives as it has been practicing them all year. It can also be applied to those schools that possess a tradition of losing. Figuring out a way to come up short is a gift in itself – sort of like the Virginia Cavaliers giving up a 57 yard touchdown run against Southern Miss late in the fourth quarter. Coming back to lose is an ability cherished by Futility Ranked teams. Accordingly, Virginia shows up at #4 in this week’s Futility Rankings.
Other schools vying to enter the top of college football’s bottom of the barrel include the University of Maryland who came up short this past weekend against powerhouse Middle Tennessee State. Maryland should move its games to the middle of Maryland – putting the game at the bottom of the Chesapeake. The Terrapins have won only against James Madison – and that in an overtime effort. Going into overtime to beat a lower division school will get the attention of the Futility Ranking Committee, so the Terps are poised to make an entry into the First Worst Futility Rankings should someone like Indiana screw up and win against Michigan (yeah, right).
It is getting crowded at the bottom though. So here is the Futility Ranking for week four.
10. Indiana – It is indeed rare that a 3-0 school should achieve the top ten of College Football’s Futility Rankings. The Hoosiers have achieved this rare honor by virtue of wins over Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan and Akron. These schools served their purpose in producing a winning record for Indiana. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers now have Michigan and Ohio State on the docket for the next two weeks. A solid, winning record over unknown football schools does not produce a positive season.
9. Colorado – The Buffaloes at last scored a win last week over Wyoming. The Cowboys came to Boulder with the full understanding that if they defeated Colorado, CU Coach Dan Hawkins’ days were numbered – probably in the single digits. Hawkins may be on his way out regardless. His next scheduled blowout is at home this weekend against West Virginia. With some acknowledgement to Colorado State, this is the Buffalo’s first real quality opponent. And after the Buff’s quality loss to Toledo, Boulder will be on the edge of its collective seat to see if Coach Dan has a job next Monday morning.
8. Iowa State – The Coach Paul Rhoads era is well underway as the Cyclones sport a 2-1 record going into week four against Army. Kent State started a freshman quarterback last week, who dutifully folded before a bigger state school, handing the Cyclones their needed winning record. The drama this week will then be finding out whether the Cyclones can beat a disciplined Army squad who despite an early season loss at home to Duke – should be a much tougher opponent than any faced thus far.
7. Utah State – Following their stunning failure to lose (by having no game on the schedule last week), the US Aggies return to the field by facing off against Southern Utah. This could be interesting though. Playing in the bustling metropolis of Cedar City, UT, the mighty Thunderbirds of SUU have managed only one win against someone called Dixie State. Should Utah State come up with a new and improved way to lose this game, the Aggies are headed for the Top Five in the Futility Rankings.
6. Idaho – Some of these small western schools deserve better. But, the University of Idaho keeps beating its collective noggin on the brick wall of futility. Coming off its season opening win over New Mexico State, Idaho figured out a way to not lose to San Diego State. By virtue of their 2-1 record, the Vandals have fallen out of the top five Futility Ranked teams, but should they fail (as they should) against Northern Illinois this weekend, they will be right back in the thick of the fight for a top tier, finish in the bottom ten.
5. Duke – Getting the season’s only win against Army two weeks ago, the Duke Blue Devils regained their composure to lose to #22 Kansas last week 44-16. For the Jayhawks, this at least partially avenged a 2-6 record against the Duke basketball program. The Jayhawks gave up a touchdown on the first Duke drive, but shut out the Devils until giving up a mercy touchdown late in the game. Duke had the sense to write in North Carolina Central University this week, but failing on the field in this one could make it crowded at the top of the Futility Rankings.
4. Virginia – The Cadavaliers won the first half of their game against Southern Miss last week, but came back to lose a heartbreaker 37-34. Southern Mississippi squashed Virginia’s hope of getting a win with a 57 yard touchdown run by Tory Harrison with 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Figuring out a way to lose is the hallmark of top five Futility Ranked teams, so Virginia has earned its coveted position. Adding to the misery, the Cavs now look forward to a beating by this week’s #22 team, North Carolina.
3. Washington State – The Cougars fell out of #1 this week with an overtime victory over Southern Methodist. Despite giving up over 500 yards to SMU, Wash State failed to lose by kicking a 39 yard field goal in overtime to claim the win. Next up for the Cougars is #12 USC – still smarting from being embarrassed in Seattle by the formerly powerless Huskies. Adding to the sense of doom in Pullman is the fact that the Cougars have to play this one in LA in front of the Southern Cal Cheerleaders.
2. New Mexico State – NMSU’s Aggies have a shot at beating a state school this weekend. Unfortunately for the state, it is the same one they already represent. Two New Mexico schools battling it out for who is worst is hardly the image state leaders wanted. Still, a good dinner at a better Santa Fe restaurant would cure the concern. Unfortunately, neither New Mexico nor New Mexico State plays in Santa Fe. They’ll have to be happy with a team dinner at the Frontier in Albuquerque or at the Wendy’s off I-25 in Las Cruces. The location of these schools couldn’t have anything to do with recruiting success could it?
1. New Mexico – The Poor Lobos of New Mexico at 0-3, have ascended to the #1 position and are desperate for something good to happen. For something good to happen, they are going to have to settle for going out to lunch. This season is a disaster. Still, the titanic struggle with New Mexico State is on tap for this weekend to determine which school will take the commanding track for the #1 position in the First Worst Futility Rankings. How anyone in Albuquerque will be excited over this game is beyond understanding. Still, this is about the only thing to do in Albuquerque and the knowledge that one New Mexico school might earn a win is somewhat interesting. The Sage of College football is pulling for a 3-3 tie.