The Sports Thinker

  Boone-Pickens Stadium, Home of Oklahoma State football We are down to the end of things for the 2024 season for the 25, as, obviously, there are no bowl games awaiting any of the teams here. It is, however, rivalry week throughout most of the land, aside from those rivalries that play out at weird times, like Colorado vs. Colorado State (game 3 for each) or New Mexico vs. New Mexico State, which was game 5 for both and Miami vs Florida (game 1) and Florida State (game 8), although FSU is playing Florida during rivalry week. On another note, Jim McElwain is coaching his final game before retirement this week, and as Central Michigan just dropped out of the poll, I am personally hoping that the Chippewas win their finale to stay out of the poll.  Seven of the 25ers have not won a conference game this year... FAU , Oklahoma State, Purdue, Kent State, Nevada, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi . Of those, FAU and Southern Mississippi have Bummer Bowls and a chan...

Kelly-Shorts Stadium, Home of the Central Michigan Chippewas Essentially, at this point of the season, we are shuffling the same 10 to 12 three-win teams in and out of the poll each week, depending on who lost, who won and who didn't play. So, we welcome back FIU, Charlotte and Tulsa while we bid adieu to Air Force , Troy , Utah State and Stanford for at least a week. We had another team that won their 3rd game last week but stayed in the poll at #25 by virtue of that win being a 3-point victory in overtime in a Bummer Bowl. Read on to find out who that was and, as always, enjoy the games!!! 1)  Kent State  (0-10) The Golden Flashless lost 34-7 at Miami Ohio  on Wednesday night. Next up is a Tuesday night MAC Bummer Bowl hosting Akron in what is likely the last-gasp chance for Kent State to win in 2024. 2)  Southern Mississippi  (1-9) Eight straight losses for the Golden Favres after a 58-3 debacle at  Texas State. This team is simply terrible....

Davis Wade Stadium, home of Mississippi State Football Florida State has descended to a level unprecedented for their program since the 1973-1975 seasons that proceeded the hiring of the legendary Bobby Bowden as head coach. At 1-9, they do have a winnable game coming up against an FCS opponent after this week's BYE and they could really salvage the season if they can figure out some way to beat Florida in three weeks. We will see if Mike Norvell survives.  One spot above (below) FSU is #1 Kent State , who have a date with winless destiny in their next game after this week when they get to host two-win Akron , but I don't hold out much hope. The Flashless have only been close twice, losing by 2 at home to fellow 25ers Ball State and losing by 6 to St. Francis , who are only  3-6 on the FCS level. There is only one Bummer Bowl in the offing for this weekend and a whole bunch of BYEs for the 25. As always, enjoy the games!!! 1) Kent State  (0-9) The Golden Flashless we...

Doak Campbell Stadium, home of the Florida State Seminoles Four new teams were added this week (with a tie at #25) to replace the three teams, MTSU , Rice and FIU , that won their way to 3-6 and out into the DHM. Not surprising considering that those teams represent the AAC and Conference USA, both of which are well represented in the B25. As those teams play their conference schedules, it becomes a situation in which almost any 25er can pick up a win in any given week. Those Bummer Bowls are important, after all. Nine of the current 26 teams (with the tie at #25) in the poll are in one of those two conferences. As for the Sports Thinker seeing his alma mater live for the first time, while I was disappointed with Georgia State's loss, I enjoyed the game and, as a perpetual fan of the underdog, I feel privileged to have seen UConn become bowl eligible in their 9th game of the season during their final home game at Rentschler this year.  UConn has been a member of this poll for ...