College Football's Bottom 25 2023, Week 7




A new season, a new poll. Now that the non-conference schedules have played out, and most teams have 6 games under their belt, we have sorted out the good from the bad, the haves and have-nots, the insert cliches here. 

At first, I believed that NIL might kill this poll, but it is still the same talent pool, just rearranged a bit. The lesser lights are also the lesser moneyed, so the same teams, less those that have big name new coaches (that would be you, Colorado), are still hanging around the bottom end. Except for a few new to the FBS that will be making their B25 debuts.

Please note that all records reflect the records after last weekend's games and do not include games played Tuesday - Friday this week.

As always, enjoy the games!

1) Nevada (0-5) The Wolfcack land at number one largely on the back of a blowout loss to former frequent 25ers and current FCSers, Idaho. Add that loss to 4 more against FBS shools and it adds up to number 1 in the poll. Next up is the Fremont Cannon Game at home against UNLV.

2) Sam Houston (0-5) The Beerkats are new to the FBS this year and starting off on the wrong foot. However, I see a win in their future somewhere as they have kept it close most games with the exception of a 31 point loss to Houston. Next up is a BYE weekend before a home showdown against FIU next Wednesday.

3) Akron (1-5) The Zips are the first of 5 teams from the MAC to make the poll. A scant 3 point win over FCSers Morgan State is the lone positive. Two losses to fellow 25ers (also both MAC squads) and a DHMer marks this squad as America's worst current team with a win. Next at Central Michigan.

4) Kent State (1-5) The Golden Flashless have largely spent the year getting trashed by teams that aren't really that great. Except for Central Connecticut of the FCS. Next at Eastern Michigan.

5) Middle Tennessee State (1-5) One FCS win (natch) versus 5 losses, although the Blue Faiders played reasonably well in a week two loss to what has turned out to be a seriously good Missouri Tigers squad. Next, hosting Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, 10/11.

6) UTEP (1-5) After a few good seasons (7-6 followed by 5-7) the Minors are back in the B25. One obligatory FCS win is all to show for 2023 so far. Next, at FIU on Wednesday 10/11.

7) Ball State (1-5) The Marginals are another MAC squad with an FCS win against a backdrop of crushing losses. The only thing separating them from their brethren at #3 and 4 is the size of the losses and the quality of their opponents. Next game is at home against Toledo.

8) Southern Mississippi (1-5) The Golden Favres are getting about the same amount of good news lately as their namesake. One FCS win in the first game, 5 straight losses since. They have the weekend off before playing next Tuesday at South Alabama.

9) Massachusetts (1-5) Death, taxes and bad UMass football teams are an inevitability. To this point, the Minute-men have given up more points than any FBS team. To their credit, they have yet to play against an FCS team, so their win was against a big school. Next up is a Wednesday night (10/11) game hosting Toledo.

10) San Jose State (1-5) They did wallop their FCS opponent but they have basically laid down against everyone else except for Toledo. Next up is a visit to New Mexico on Saturday.

11) Arizona State (1-5) The Stunned Devils eeked out their FCS win by 3. Otherwise, they have actually played pretty well with the exception of a big loss to Fresno State. Next up is a BYE week before heading up to take on nationally-ranked Washington.

12) Connecticut (1-5) The Fusskies almost won 2 weeks ago and then followed through by winning last week, 38-31 at Rice. Next up is a BYE before hosting South Florida.

13) Virginia (1-5) The Cavaliers pulled out all of the stops in squeaking by William & Mary, 27-13. Before that was 3 close losses and 2 blowout losses. Next up, a BYE before playing at nationally ranked North Carolina.

14) Stanford (1-4) The Marginal is the first of the 1-4 teams in the poll, all of which had a BYE last weekend. One win against an FBS is undermined by an FCS loss here. Next up is a Friday night away tilt against Coach Prime's over-rated Colorado Buffalos squad.

15) Pittsburgh (1-4) An FCS win to start 2023, followed by 4 straight losses, the latest against fellow 25ers Virginia Tech. Last week was a BYE before hosting nationally ranked Louisville, who just smoked Our Lady.

16) East Carolina (1-4) The Pyrites have got the one FCS win blues. A BYE last weekend before a Thursday night game at SMU.

17) Charlotte (1-4) The 1-4ers have the FCS win in the first game, then lather, rinse and repeat the entries for the 3 teams immediately preceding them in this poll. Next up, Navy pays a visit.

18) Vanderbilt (2-5) More than half of the Commode-doors season has been played already and it feels like the season just started. Vandy CAN score, averaging 29 points per game. They can also give up a lot of points as well. That leads to 2-5. Next up, #1 Georgia comes to Nashville before Vandy finally gets a BYE. They will be 2-6 and needing that week!

19) Temple (2-4) The Fowls beat an FCS team and a 25er (Akron) and otherwise they have eaten a ton of points and been beaten badly 4 times. Next up is a trip to Denton to take on North Texas.

20) Baylor (2-4) The Care Bears played well against in losing to nationally ranked Utah in their 2nd game. Otherwise, and FCS win, and a one-point squeaker over a middling UCF squad and 3 other blowout losses. Next up is a BYE.

21) Virginia Tech (2-4) The Hokums compiled this record against a largely mediocre schedule (sans national power FSU), with wins against Old Dominion (who we will likely see in this poll by season's end) and fellow 25ers Pittsburgh. Next up, Wake Forest visits.

22) Illinois (2-4) A win, followed by 2 losses. Twice over. That suggests that a win is in the offing at Maryland this weekend. I don't think so, Blighting Illini.

23) Bowling Green (2-4) How in the world this Failcons squad won at Georgia Tech is beyond me, although the game did provide one of the best touchdown catches of this season by Finn Hogan. In true B25 fashion, they followed that major upset by being blanked the next week by Miami of Ohio, 27-0. Next is an almost Bummer Bowl against DHMers Buffalo.

24) (tie) Western Michigan (2-4) It is all about the lack of a defense for the Cloncos, who give up an average of just under 37 points a game, including 41 against the normally plodding and unimaginative offense of Iowa. Next up is a trip to take on Miami of Ohio.

24) (tie) San Diego State (2-4) The Azmehs started with 2 wins (one over an FCS opponent) followed by 4 straight losses before last week's BYE. Next up is a Mountain West Bummer Bowl at Hawai'i.

25) Hawai'i (2-4) The Rainbow Worriers have the obligatory FCS win and also beat New Mexico State. Two of the 4 losses were against fellow 25ers Vanderbilt and Stanford. Next up is the aforementioned home Bummer Bowl against San Diego State.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
UAB (2-4), Buffalo (2-4), Northern Illinois University (2-4), Arkansas (2-4), Purdue (2-4)

Conference Tally:
AAC - 3 (+1 DHM)
ACC - 3
BIG 12 - 1
BIG 10 (12, 14, whatever) - 1 (+1 DHM)
CUSA - 3
Independent - 2
MAC - 5 (+2 DHM) 
MWC - 4
PAC 12 (soon to be none) - 2
SEC 1 (+1 DHM)
Sun Belt - 1 (shockingly)


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