College Football – The News About Losing

Losing Faith – Making Other Losers Look Good
As college football’s midseason approaches, many teams that expected to fare well are thinking about the most effective way to bid ‘farewell’ to the 2009 season.  Colorado – where Head Coach Dan Hawkins was expected to field a very competitive team, has tasted the bitter fruits slowly fermenting at the bottom of college football’s barrel.  With only a single win over Wyoming, the once respected CU recruiting class is now counting its collective transfer options.

As weather turns colder, alumni start hitting their travel agency websites to price out tickets to favorite bowl destinations.  Others are trying to book transport to Bora Bora – just as far away from college football as possible.  Many of these folks are current coaches.

Among this week’s surprises in the Futility Rankings:

Virginia – Adieu – at least for a week to the VA Cavs.  Owing to a rather surprising 47-7 thumping of Big Ten Indiana, the Cavs at least earned the right to their team moniker – free of disparaging letter-changing.  The victory was so complete, that – aside from a mercy touchdown given up in the final quarter – the Virginia defense completely shut down the Hoosiers – sending Indiana back into the bottom ten and Indiana fans back into the line for basketball tickets.

Duke – Managing to pull off a win over North Carolina State, the Duke Blue Devils fell out of the bottom ten altogether.  Although beating a terrible Wolfpack team doesn’t erase the memory of losing to Richmond, it does drop the Bluish Devils into Honorable Mention status for the First Worst Futility Rankings.  The Devils have the woeful Terrapins of Maryland on deck next week though.  Lose here and Duke will be back in the thick of the fight for First Worst classification.

To those teams that came through under pressure to claim another loss – or those that screwed up and managed to notch a win, the following schools deserve recognition in the Week Six First Worst Futility Rankings:

10.  NC State – Welcome to the Wolfpack!  Anyone who can figure out a way to lose to the Duke Blue Devils at home on the football field deserves special recognition!  This week, the NC State Wolfpack debuts at #10 in the Futility Rankings in honor of this past Saturday’ 49-28 loss at home to said Bluish Devils. NC State gave up over 500 yards in total offense to a team that lost earlier in the year to a team from Richmond U. With only wins over Murray State and Pittsburgh, as well as someone called Gardner-Webb, NC State deserves recognition for football failure.  And this is just the place they will get the disrespect they deserve.

9.  Louisville Cardinals – After dutifully falling behind 16-7 in the first half against Southern Mississippi, the Cardinals failed in their bid to continue their fall to the bottom.  Kicking a field goal with 30 seconds left in the game, Louisville surprised itself with its first win over a real bowl division team this season.  In what should be a basketball match up, the Cardinals take on UCONN next week.  Instead, these two will duke it out on the gridiron to see who can remain in the bottom ten.

8. Indiana – Welcome back to the bottom of college football’s barrel to the Indiana Hoosiers! Owing to a remarkably complete failure at Virginia, the Hoosiers re-earned their way back onto the coveted Futility Rankings worst ten.  The rebuilding Hoosiers figured out a way to give up a whopping 536 yards of offense to what had been a fairly offensive offense on the Cavalier side.  “Making other teams look good” now seems to be the Hoosier football motto. 

7. Army – It must have given the Knights a great sense of accomplishment to knock off the eggheads at Vanderbilt 16-13 in overtime on Saturday.  This doesn’t quite erase the dishonor of losing to such powerhouse programs as Ball State and Eastern Michigan, but it is a step in the right direction. 

6. Maryland – Maryland U. lost 42-34 to Wake Forest on Saturday.  The Turtles were never in this thing from the start, allowing 35 first half points. The Demon Deacons racked up 21 points in the first quarter alone, making it their best offensive start in five years.   The Big Turtles usually provide multiple opportunities for the opposition to establish new offensive records – as if the Terps performance wasn’t offensive enough. Next up for the Terps – the newly exiled from the Futility Rankings Virginia Cavaliers.

5. Colorado – Colorado’ Buffaloes may have kept it close for a while, but came through in the end to give up a 38-14 loss to #2 Texas.  CU in fact won the first half before finding their bearings and giving up four big second-half scores, including a 92 yard punt return for a touchdown. This was the ‘Horns longest punt return since the Great Depression.  And speaking of Great Depression, this is the state where the 1-4 Buffaloes now find themselves.  
 
4.  New Mexico State – The Aggies defeated the Aggies in the Aggie Bowl on Saturday.  Or… the Aggies lost to the Aggies.  Whatever…  Although tagging the Aggies of Utah State with a loss, the Aggies of NMSU barely held on, needing a last second field goal to seal the 20-17 win.  A tie between two of college football’s worst teams would have been appropriate here, but fittingly, neither team could accomplish that objective.

3.  Washington State – Now in the middle of their Pac 10 schedule the Cougars of Washington State are in the middle of yet another winless crisis.  Failing to score in the first half, the Cougars went on to secure the loss by giving up 27 points to visiting Arizona State.  Washington State got over half of its total offensive yards on a single busted defensive play (by ASU) – a 99 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to Johnny Forzani.   Arizona State sportingly spotted the Cougars a whopping six turnovers to keep this thing as close as it was.  In the end, the Cougs couldn’t overcome ASU’s generosity and took their accustomed place in the loser’s bracket by a final score of 27-14.

2.  Utah State – The Aggies of Utah State move up to #2 this week following an embarrassing road loss to #3 New Mexico State.  A last second field goal by New Mexico State’s Kyle Hughes sent the other Aggies team to the bottom.  Utah State has a season full of challenging opponents remaining so a win in 2009 is looking doubtful.  Of course when you are at the bottom of the heap, every game is challenging.

1.  New Mexico – The 0-6 Lobos kept their drive for perfection very much alive with a 37-13 loss to Wyoming.  Adding injury to the insult, the Lobos couldn’t get nearer to Laramie on Friday night than 50 miles owing to a snowstorm that dumped over a foot of the stuff over southern Wyoming.  The Lobos would have been better served to call the game off.  Still, they prevailed – their losing streak intact.  Also insulting to this injury; of the final five Lobo games, three are against top 20 teams.  The possibility now exists for the Lobos to post the first perfectly awful season since the Washington Huskies accomplished that feat – well – just last year.

With many teams looking forward to their homecoming games that enliven the campus each fall, collegiate football losers are now trying to figure out how to avoid the game.  New Mexico State had a golden opportunity to win its Homecoming game this weekend – if only it had scheduled it for this weekend against Utah State.  Aggie fans will have to wait until the 24th of October to be shellacked by Fresno State for its annual Homecoming.

One can also measure the expectation that one’s opponents have for your team by looking at the number of games that your team will play in on the road that serve as the hosts’ “homecoming game.”  The Cougars are set to be the Arizona Homecoming victim in a couple weeks.   The Cougars also set up their own Homecoming this weekend for their game against Arizona State.  The weekend festivities, featuring an exhibit of animal teeth, is expected to include a football game.  WSU’s main chance is to hope the fan’s stay at the museum and not venture near the football stadium.

Some of the Bottom Ten from last week, Maryland in particular, surprised critics by figuring out how not to fail.  It must be that patting the turtle in the Terrapin walkway from the locker room to the field brought some kind of good luck – or bad luck for a team with another set of really ugly uniforms.  Maryland worked out a win at home over Clemson in a bit of a surprise and Virginia (of all teams) came up with a successful effort against North Carolina State. 

Last week’s #10 Idaho failed in its bid to return to the top five of the First Worst Futility Rankings by Beating Colorado State 31-29 on an interception return for TD with 1:41 left. The win takes the Vandals to a very surprising 4-1 record – earning them a ticket out of the bottom ten.  The Sage of College Football will miss ‘em.   Making fun of the Vandals team moniker was always good for a couple paragraphs.

Of those schools that remain in the Futility Rankings, the top few have either horrible schedules or horrible teams – a couple have both. 

10.  Maryland – The University of Maryland emerged the surprise winner over Clemson at home Saturday.  After patting the turtle prior to entering the field, Maryland sealed the win by recovering a Clemson fumble at the Terrapin 28 with 27 seconds remaining.  One more win and Maryland might also re-exit the bottom ten. It might not be this week though, as they take on Wake Forest.

9.  Virginia – Managed a win over North Carolina State.  Holding the ‘Heels to a touchdown-free afternoon, Virginia drops to #9 in the Futility Rankings.  The Cadavaliers now travel to Bloomington to take on a slightly resurgent Indiana team.  The Hoosiers – fresh off a thumping by 39 Ohio State – are looking to re-enter the Futility rankings themselves, so this could be a good match up.  

8.  Louisville Cardinals – This new entry into the Bottom Ten comes courtesy of a 1-3 record and a 35-10 walloping at the hands of Pittsburgh U.  With the football Futility Rankings decorated with basketball schools, it seemed appropriate that the Cardinals should enter the fray.  On Deck for the Cards is Southern Miss.  Look for the Cardinals to make a run for the top five in the Futility Rankings with two nationally ranked opponents and a handful of decent teams remaining on their schedule.

7.  Colorado – Following a Thursday night loss to West Virginia, the 1-3 Bungalows of Colorado head to Austin to take on #2 Texas in a nationally televised game.  Colorado seems to surprise when playing on national television.  Realistically, CU brass will be happy if the team just shows up.  It would also be happy if the Buffs give up fewer than 40 points on national television.

6.  Army – Army gave up ten 4th quarter points to lose to the Tulane Green Wave 17-16.  Anyone losing to a team referred to the ‘Green Wave’ deserves lofty rankings in the Bottom Ten.   Next up:  Vanderbilt at home. 
 
5.  Duke – The Bleu Devils lost Saturday 24-23 to Virginia Tech.  By keeping it close, Duke earned a back handed compliment from Tech Coach Frank Beamer, who said, “I don’t think that’s the old Duke football Team.”  It was however the same Duke result.  Next up for the Bleu Devils: 3-2 NC State.  Duke’s record against Division I schools with winning records isn’t going to cause the Wolfpack much in the way of lost sleep.   

4.  Utah State – The Aggies reached a major milestone with its 35-17 loss to Brigham Young Saturday… The Utah State Aggies are now a combined 1-50 against AP ranked schools in their last 51 games.  Reaching that 50 loss plateau has required years of preparation and dedication by the University and its collective staffs over the past several years. Establishing and maintaining a tradition like this requires a generation of effort.  The Aggies haven’t announced plans to celebrate just yet.  Their next game is against doormat New Mexico State.  Lose there and the University will avail its Psych majors to provide free counseling.

3.  New Mexico State – – After taking the team breakfast on the beach at LaJolla, the Aggies got down to business and posted a 34-17 loss to San Diego State.  After all, if you are gonna get whacked in the afternoon, you may as well enjoy oogling the beach babes in the morning.  There aren’t many of those in Las Cruces.  The next game against Utah State should at least be something to look forward to.  Unfortunately, the wizards in the Athletic office decided to make the October 24 game against Fresno State Homecoming weekend.  The Aggies should consider moving it up as they might have a shot against Utah State.  At least a team named the ‘Aggies’ will win.

2.  Washington State – Following a 52-6 pasting at Oregon, the Cougar football team is hiring itself out to pick apples this week.  This would at least be a productive use of time.  Oregon even threw in its second string QB in the second quarter and still the Cougars couldn’t make it close.  Arizona State comes to Pullman this Saturday though for another round of football futility. 

1.  New Mexico – remained perfect in 2009 with a loss to Texas Tech.  The Lobos kept this thing close for a quarter before returning to form by losing 48-28.  In true Texas fashion, the Raiders gave up a couple mercy touchdowns late in the 4th quarter to make the final score a little more respectable.  For the first three quarters, the only New Mexico scoring came on a busted Tech pass play that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.  The Lobos offense is certainly ‘offensive’ especially when one has paid for a ticket with real money.

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.

First Worst Futility Rankings – Week Two – The Bottom Ten of College Football

The college football world was nearly rocked by a typo this past weekend.  While running the scoreboard ticker, it appeared that Air Force had defeated Michigan State 72-0.  Upon further review (after watching for nearly 30 minutes before the thing repeated) it was revealed that it was “Nich. State” and not “Mich. State” that was on the bottom side of this thrashing.   “Nich. State” stands for Nicholls State – a school that apparently fields a football team in Thibodeaux, LA.  

There were other awful defeats this past weekend including Tennessee’s walloping of Western Kentucky U. – 63-7.  This victory officially kicked off the Lane Kiffen coaching era.  Whether this turns out to be an era or an error remains to be seen.  Kiffen takes on UCLA this Saturday in Knoxville. 

Some of last week’s First Worst Ranked schools managed a win.  However, early season wins over institutions that don’t provide matching uniforms to their players aren’t going to elevate one out of college football’s cellar.  So here are the Sage of College Football’s picks for the ten worst teams going into week two:

10.  Indiana – The mighty Hoosiers penciled in powerhouse Eastern Kentucky for its opening day game.  Fortunately the red ‘I’s’ managed a win, hanging on for a 19-13 decision over a lower division school.   Up this week is the same Western Michigan team that was sacrificed at the Big House in Ann Arbor for the Wolverine’s opening day massacre.  Should the Broncos of WMU pull this one out – and they actually are a I-A school, Indiana could be headed back for a top five finish in the Futility Rankings.    In other Indiana news, it was released that the school has agreed to move its home game against Penn State to Fed Ex Field in Washington next season.  At least the school administration has the heart to not put the home town through this thrashing.

9.  Washington – The Huskies and new coach Steve Sarkisian had all of Seattle treating this loss as a win.  Having failed to humiliate themselves on national television, Washington won much of the first half before coming back to lose 31-23 to #11 LSU.  LSU appeared seriously jet-lagged in this game but prevailed.  Still, after failing to win since late in 2007, the locals were hailing this as a success.  The success wasn’t necessarily in producing a win, but in failing to embarrass the team, school, city and state yet again.  Coach Sark has a chance to produce that first ‘W’ this weekend at home against the Idaho Vandals.   At least nobody will be televising this one.

8.  Iowa State – Cyclone fever wasn’t exactly ignited with the I State win over North Dakota State 34-17.  After all, no one really knew that there was a team at North Dakota State- pr for that matter, few really knew there was a school called North Dakota State.  A little investigation revealed that North Dakota State is best known for getting its football players arrested for DUIs.  What else are they going to do in North Dakota?  Play football?

7. Utah State – Although losing to a top 20 team is not much of a dishonor, the Utah State Aggies lost convincingly to #19 Utah 35-17.  This in-state rivalry fit nicely into Utah U’s plans to drive to a BCS top tier spot.  With that loss behind them, the Aggies now must face Texas A&M at home.  In a classic Aggies vs. Aggies match up, at least one team called the Aggies will win.  Your guess as to which.

6.  New Mexico – The Lobos warmed up Texas A&M for its trip to Utah State Saturday by losing 41-6.  In what could be a solid drive to a top tier finish in the First Worst Futility Rankings, New Mexico is breaking in a new coach this year by returning to its deep football tradition – losing.  At least New Mexico has the New Mexico State Aggies on its schedule for week four.  In what should be the Lobo’s Homecoming Game, this might be their best shot at a W.

5.  Idaho – Does beating one of the nation’s worst football teams get you out of college football’s cellar?  Not this one.  The Vandals won unconvincingly over New Mexico State in Las Cruces.  Among the games lowlights was a run by Vandal running back Princeton McCarty.  After clearing the Aggie line on a running play from his own 32, McCarty found himself all alone on a sprint to the end zone.  In his apparent joy over the impending touchdown, he tripped at the 5, firmly planting face and pride into the 1 yard line.   The Vandals let him carry the ball into the end zone on the following play, but the damage was done.  Idaho contributes more to America’s Funniest Home Videos than it does to football glory.

4. Virginia – The First Worst Futility Rankings welcomes the Virginia Cadavaliers into the top 5 worst college team list.  VA lost ‘convincingly’ lost to William and Mary’s 14-26.  Bill and Mary gave up serious football decades ago, but decided to show up for this one.  This is a school that had not defeated a I-A football team in over 20 years.  It wasn’t at all pretty from the B&M side though.  Bill and Mary attempted five field goals in the second quarter of this thing – missing three.  Still, they came out on top, so welcome to the Virginia Cavaliers to the hallowed list of college football’s worst teams.  Next up for the Cadavaliers – #16 TCU.  Hope the school already collected the ticket money for this one.

3.  Washington State – A big state school losing to a school that tosses out most of its recruits due to academic eligibility problems is tough to swallow.  Stanford defeated the Cougars on their home field 13-39 on Saturday to introduce WSU to the top portion of the Bottom Ten.  The Cougars were never in this game, falling behind 22-3 at the half.   This week’s matchup with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will be interesting though.  The Warriors are fresh off a 25-20 win at home over a team from Central Arkansas.  The Central Arkansas boys were more interested in the plane ride and a free trip to the beach.

2.  New Mexico State – New coach DeWayne Walker’s NMS Aggies lost a thriller to #5 Idaho at home.  How anyone can lose to the Vandals is cause for a Congressional investigation. Still Walker’s Aggies came through by losing 6 to 21.  Earlier in the pre-season, Coach Walker had asked for contributions of snack foods for his players.  Apparently the NMSU budget wouldn’t support feeding his team.  The community must have come through with a few too many tamales though, as the Aggies just couldn’t have produced a worse performance.  

1.  Duke –The poor Blew it Devils lost perhaps their best chance for a win all season by getting whacked by a Division I-AAA school – the Richmond Spiders.  Richmond was supposed to play the doormat to at least get the Blue Devils seven days of a winning record but instead exposed just how bad Duke really is this season.  Hopefully, the Duke admins got cash up front for selling season tickets.  This year is already a disaster.   Next week, the Bleu Devils take on Army at home.  Lose to the Knights and Duke could have the inside track to a perfectly disastrous and winless season.