The Sports Thinker

  War Memorial Stadium, home of the Wyoming Cowboys You knew we would eventually get to the place where there was only one thoroughly defeated team, and here we are. Somehow, Kennesaw State , who looked like one of the worst FBS teams in years, managed to upend previously unbeaten Liberty to notch W number 1 on the season. This week, Georgia State (the ol' alma mater) joins the poll just as I am going to see them play live for the first time...too bad that their opponent, UConn isn't in their usual place in the poll or it would be a Bummer Bowl, too! As always, enjoy the games! 1 )   Kent State  (0-8) And then there was one! The Golden Flashless lost at Western Michigan , 52-21, becoming the only and last FBS program without a win on the season. Next is a BYE week before Ohio visits. 2)  Southern Mississippi  (1-7) The Golden Favres lost 32-15 at James Madison . Next is a BYE weekend before hosting Marshall . 3) Wyoming (1-7) The Cowboils lost a h...

Falcon Stadium, home of the Air Force Academy Falcons Okay, yes, you will probably notice a few of what look like inconsistencies in the rankings, as New Mexico State beat Louisiana Tech , but the (what's an) Aggies are in the poll and the Bulldogs aren't. Or how UTEP beat FIU but ranks below (or higher) than the Panters. It is all in the record.  One of the decisions I made from jump when I started this poll, lo those many years ago, was that overall record was tantamount. New Mexico State is 2-5, while Louisiana Tech is 2-4. Same with UTEP , who is 1-6 and who beat FIU , who is 2-5. So, you have an explanation for the thing that might have seemed off.  We are down to two un-undefeated teams, oddly Kent and Kennesaw States , respectively. Kennesaw has the much weaker remaining schedule, with two current 25ers and Louisiana Tech of the DHM of their 6 remaining opponents. Kent really only has one winnable chance upcoming, hosting Akron in week 11. As always, enjoy th...

  Ross-Ade Stadium, home of Purdue Football We are at a bit of a crux at this point of the season as most of the teams have played half their schedule and we are stuck with fourteen 1-5 teams and, when including the Dishonorable Mention teams, eighteen 2-4 teams.  With the 2-4 teams, a win this week and they are, with a little scheduling luck, potentially bowl-eligible teams. Lose and drop to 2-5 and you are likely looking to stay in this poll and finish with 3 or 4 wins, maximum. Eighteen teams either in the poll or at 2-4 and in the DHM are involved in Bummer Bowls or Almost Bummer Bowls this week, which could mean a lot of changes come next week.  Should be fun and, as always, enjoy the games! 1)  UTEP  (0-6) The Miners lost a Thursday night conference battle at Western Kentucky, 44-17. Next is a AAC vs. CUSA Twin Conferences Bummer Bowl hosting B25 #21 FIU. 2 )   Kent State  (0-6). The Golden Flashless lost a MAC Bummer Bowl against Ball State , ...

  Veterans Memorial Stadium, home of the Troy Trojans 1)  Kennesaw State  (0-5) The Fowls (#1) take the #1 spot after they got pasted in a home Bummer Bowl to Jacksonville  (non-Florida version)  State , 63 -24. Next weekend is a BYE before a Tuesday Bummer Bowl at MTSU. 2)  UTEP  (0-5) The Minors also rise one place after their 41-21 home loss to  Sam   Houston State . Next is a Thursday night conference battle at Western Kentucky 3 )   Kent State  (0-5). The Golden Flashless got the BYE week boost before B25 #11  Ball State  comes to town for a MAC Bummer Bowl. 4)  Massachusetts  (1-5) The Minute-Men lost at  Northern Illinois , 34-20 to maintain their position as the poll’s worst team with a win. Next up is a trip to national #21 Missouri, who are sure to be angry after their first 2024 loss. 5) Temple  (1-5) The former Fowls #3 are now Fowls #2 after a 29-20 loss at  UConn . Next is a B...

Fifth Third Stadium, home of the Kennesaw State Owls It is back!!! And I am back, a week earlier this season than last. It is college football time and even in the age of seemingly limitless transfers, the boondoggle of NIL (not that players shouldn't be paid, just not THIS way) and the compressing of all of the teams into one giant mega-conference, college football still has the big winners, but also the bigger also rans who make up The Sports Thinker's College Football B25! 2024 is off to a surprising start, with many of the usual suspects, like Troy, Southern Mississippi and Kent State resuming their usual state of affairs in the B25, but others, like UNLV, East Carolina and UConn getting out of the gate somewhat strongly. And then there is Florida State! Things are not fun in Tallahassee right now, and I'm not talking about the DeSantis administration of the affairs of the state. So, let's get this started and, as always, enjoy the games!!! 1)   Kent State (0-5) The...