There are three winless teams left in the FBS and Eastern Michigan University is the worst of them, in last by being ranked 120 in week 12 of Pool’s Power Rankings. Meanwhile, Alabama keeps rolling and holds onto the No. 1 spot.
Rice defeated Tulane last week for its first win, leaving New Mexico and Western Kentucky as others trying for that elusive win with two weeks remaining. They lost last week by single digits. Ohio State clinched the first spot in a BCS bowl (Rose) last week with its win over Iowa. It was the second team to accept a bid, as Navy already took a slot in the Texas Bowl.
Without a doubt, the game of the week is between Ohio State and Michigan – the greatest rivalry of all time. Kickoff is noon at Michigan Stadium, and it’s to be broadcast on ABC.
Also, watch out for a big game in the Pac-10. Stanford plays California, and the matchup has implications for a conference title after Southern California and Arizona lost last week.
For the worst, how about lackluster games in the Mountain West Conference and Mid-American Conference? No. 118 New Mexico plays No. 100 Colorado State on Saturday. No. 105 Buffalo played No. 117 Miami (Ohio) on tonight.
Now for the teams the teams that will be bowling come January and the others who will be at home watching:
Top 10
1.) Alabama (10-0, 50.1 Average Win Percentage, 0 Average Loss Percentage) had no trouble with Mississippi State in a 31-3 win last week. It basically has a bye this week. Next opponent: Tennessee Chattanooga (121)
2.) Texas (10-0, 62.6, 0) had its game won in the first half against Baylor as part of a 47-14 victory last week. Next opponent: Kansas (67)
3.) Texas Christian University (10-0, 65.1, 0) moved up one spot after an impressive victory last week over Utah, 55-28. Mack Brown’s squad isn’t the only good one in Texas. Next opponent: Wyoming (73)
4.) Florida (10-0, 65.3, 0) seems like it can’t lose, as it outlasted South Carolina for a 24-14 win last week. Like Alabama, it will be taking a break from the Southeastern Conference with a less-than-formidable foe this week. Next opponent: Florida International (103)
5.) Cincinnati (10-0, 68.1, 0) succeeded in a must-win game last week by defeating West Virginia, 24-21, to keep its BCS dreams alive, but Pittsburgh is breathing down its neck. Next opponent: Bye
6.) Boise State (10-0, 75.6, 0) rubbed in-state rival Idaho’s face in the blue turf last week with a 63-25 victory. Next opponent: Utah State (104)
7.) Georgia Tech (10-1, 64.4, 1) was trailing 10-0 early in the first quarter last week but went on to score 49 unanswered on Duke. Next opponent: Bye
8.) Pittsburgh (9-1, 57.2, 72) almost blew a lead last week but held off Notre Dame, 27-22, for another win. Next opponent: Bye
9.) Ohio State (9-2, 47.8, 68) had one of the more exciting games last week go in its favor, as it went to overtime to defeat Iowa take a share of the Big Ten title. Next opponent: Michigan (76)
10.) Iowa (9-2, 54.8, 37.5) missed quarterback Ricky Stanzi last week, as a late interception in overtime led to a winning field goal for Ohio State. Next opponent: Minnesota (63)
Bottom 10
111.) North Texas (2-8, 105, 70.9) blew a fourth-quarter lead last week against former bottom 10 member Florida International, and the Mean Green stay where they belong. Next opponent: Army (86)
112.) Vanderbilt (2-9, 118.5, 46.4) helped Kentucky become bowl eligiwble last week with a 24-13 loss. It has one more to find their third win. Next opponent: Tennessee (64)
113.) San Jose State (1-8, 121, 47.4) and its offense is about as exciting as a root canal. It scored nine last week in a loss to Utah State, and that was its highest total in three weeks. Next opponent: Hawaii (85)
114.) Washington State (1-9, 13, 46.2) decided to let UCLA get a 29-point head start last week before it scored. No wonder it lost again. Next opponent: Oregon State (31)
115.) Rice (1-9, 98, 69.9) moved up two spots by defeating Tulane 28-20 for its first victory. Can it win two in a row? Next opponent: UTEP (96)
116.) Ball State (1-9, 119, 72.8) was close in its effort last week against Northern Illinois, but that wasn’t enough in a 26-20 defeat. It has a crack at Central Michigan tonight. Next opponent: Central Michigan (20)
117.) Miami (Ohio) (1-10, 75, 55.5) couldn’t win two straight against teams from Northwest Ohio, as it lost, 35-14, to Bowling Green. It has a chance to get out of the MAC East basement tonight against Buffalo. Next opponent: Buffalo (105)
118.) New Mexico (0-10, 0, 66.2) was closer than expected against BYU last week, but lost, 24-19, and remain one of three winless teams. Next opponent: Colorado State (100)
119.) Western Kentucky (0-10, 0, 74.4) was leading well into the fourth quarter last week before Louisiana Monroe realized it was supposed to win and did so in 21-18 fashion. Next opponent: Bye
120.) EMU (0-10, 0, 81.6) scored first last week, then let Western Michigan score four unanswered touchdowns and dropped its 10th straight. It has two road games left, starting Friday. Next opponent: Toledo (83)
Previous rankings
Week 11
Week 10
Week 9
Week 8
Week 7
Week 6
