College Football's Bottom 25 Poll, Week 11, 2024



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 many years recently and it is wonderful to see them play good football against a respectable schedule and I will look forward to cheering for them in their bowl. Unless they are playing Georgia State or Georgia Tech, naturally.

As always, enjoy the games.


1) Kent State (0-8) The Golden Flashless had a BYE week. Ohio visits this week. If they can stay healthy through these next two games, Akron looms on the schedule in three weeks, perhaps as Kent's final chance at a 2024 victory.

2) UTEP (1-8) The Minors lost an AAC Bummer Bowl at home to the Blue Faiders of MTSU, 20-13. Next up is another conference Bummer Bowl hosting Kennesaw State.

3) Florida State (1-8) The Semi-gnomes were blasted 35-11 at home against North Carolina. Things get no better with a visit this week to South Bend to take on Our Lady.

4) Kennesaw State (1-7) The Fowls #1 lost at Western Kentucky, 31-14. Next is a Conference USA Bummer Bowl at UTEP.

5) Air Force (1-7) The Failcons hung tough for 2 and a half quarters before eventually being overwhelmed at Army, 20-3. Next up is a trip to Fresno State.

6) Purdue (1-7) The Shotandabeers fell 26-20 at home against DHMers Northwestern in a Big 10 (18) almost Bummer Bowl. This is likely their last chance at a win as 3 of their final 4 opponents are ranked in the top 8 nationally, starting this week at Ohio State.

7) Southern Mississippi (1-7) The Golden Favres had a BYE week. Next up, the Thundering Herd of Marshall bring their road show to Hattiesburg.

8) Massachusetts (2-7) The Minute-men lost the most unlikely Bummer Bowl of all time at Mississippi State, 45-20. Next week is a BYE week before Liberty comes to town.

9) Akron (2-7) The Zips lost 41-30 at home to the Bulls of Buffalo. Next is a BYE weekend before a Wednesday game at Northern Illinois.

 10) Stanford (2-7) The Marginal lost 59-28 at NC State. Next up, nationally ranked Louisville visits Palo Alto.

11) Wyoming (2-7) The Cowboys (Cowboils #1) won at DHMers New Mexico, 49-45, in an (almost) Bummer Bowl. Next is a BYE week before a game at Colorado State.

12) Mississippi State (2-7) The Bulldogs won the Most Unlikely Bummer Bowl Game ever, beating Massachusetts at home, 45-20. Next is a visit to nationally ranked (#7) Tennessee

13) Troy (2-7) The Trojans beat Coastal Carolina, 38-24. Next is a BYE week before a visit to Statesboro to play Georgia Southern.

14) New Mexico State (2-6) The (What’s an?) Aggies lost a Wednesday Bummer Bowl at FIU, 34-13. Next, Western Kentucky visits.

15) Georgia State (2-6) The Panters almost came back at UConn, falling behind 34-13 in the 4th quarter before scoring two late TDs and just missing out on recovering the onside kick with a minute and a half left in the game, eventually bowing 34-27. Next is a visit to Harrisonburg to take on James Madison.

16) FAU (2-6) The Fowls #2 lost 44-21 at home against South (really West) Florida. Next is a Thursday night game at East Carolina.

17) Utah State (2-6) The Lutes had a BYE week. This week, they travel to Pullman to face off against nationally ranked Washington State of the PAC 12 (2).

18) Kansas (2-6) The Nayhawks had a BYE week. Next, they host the nationally ranked Iowa State Cyclones, who will be plenty angry after their first loss of the season last weekend.

19) Temple (2-6) The Fowls #3 had a BYE week. Next is a visit to Tulane.

20) UAB (2-6) The Blazers walloped Tulsa at home, 59-21. Next, UConn visits.

21) Nevada (3-7) The Wolfcack lost 38-21 at home to Colorado State. Next up is a visit to nationally ranked Boise State.

22) Tulsa (3-6) The Golden Bore-icane are back after a 59-21 beat down at UAB. Next up is a BYE weekend before hosting East Carolina on Thursday 11/14.

23) Charlotte (3-6) The 24.5ers join for the first time this season off of three straight losses, the last being 34-3 at home to Tulane. Next up is a BYE before South (really West) Florida visits.

24) Kentucky (3-6) It is also the first time in the poll this season for the Mildcats. They did beat Ole Miss earlier this season, but have lost 4 straight after a 3-2 start, the most recent being a 28-18 defeat at Tennessee. Next up is a BYE before hosting Murray State of the FCS. So, we probably won’t see them here in the next few weeks.

25) tie Oklahoma State (3-6) I’ve got a fever for more Cowboils and OSU doth provideth #2! A 3-0 start was followed by 6 straight losses, the last of which being at home to Arizona State, 42-21. Next up is a visit to TCU.

25) tie New Mexico (3-6) The Loblos season is a study in contrasts…an 0-4 start, including an FCS loss and a loss to Auburn of the DHM, 3 straight wins, all of them over 25ers and then two more losses, the last being 49-45 at home to 25ers Wyoming. Next up is a Friday night date at San Diego State.

 

 

DISHONORABLE MENTION:  Arizona (3-6), Auburn (3-6), Middle Tennessee State (3-6), Rice (3-6), FIU (3-6)

Dropped Out:  UTSA, Northwestern, Central Michigan, Louisiana Tech, Ball State and UCLA


CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

AAC – 5 (+ 1 DHM)

ACC – 2

Big12 (16) – 3

BIG 10 (18) – 1

CUSA – 3 (+ 2 DHM)

Ind. – 1

MAC – 2

Mountain West – 4

PAC 12 (2) – 0

SEC – 2 (+1 DHM)

Sun Belt - 3

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