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The Eastern Echo Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Commentary: EMU cements itself as country's worst

After Friday’s loss to Akron, Eastern Michigan University mathematically sealed the No. 120 spot for the remainder of Pool’s Power Rankings.

Alabama remains No. 1 for week 14 and is set up to play No. 3 Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship at 4 p.m. Saturday. The winner likely will secure a spot in the national championship game.

Boise State, Cincinnati and Texas will try to stay undefeated and place their bids for a BCS bowl in their final games this week. Texas Christian University, the other undefeated, is waiting for a bowl selection.

The worst game of last week was a Houston win over Rice, 73-14. This week features No. 119 Western Kentucky in its last shot at a win when it plays No. 102 Arkansas State.

Additionally, No. 100 Louisiana Tech plays No. 109 San Jose State in a game sure to offend.

There are 16 games this week, starting tonight and ending early Sunday morning. Here’s a look at the last regular season bottom and top 10:

Top 10
1. Alabama (12-0, 55.5 Average Win Percentage, 0 Average Loss Percentage) put together a 7-minute drive to avoid an upset by Auburn last week and won, 26-21. Next opponent: Florida (3) SEC championship

2. Texas (12-0, 62.4, 0) had a shootout against Texas A&M last week and won 49-39 to remain undefeated. It maintains its chances to play the SEC winner in the national championship. Next opponent: Nebraska (19) Big 12 championship

3. Florida (12-0, 67.9, 0) took it to Florida State, 37-10, last week. Tim Tebow led the seniors, including him, to a win in their final home game. Next opponent: Alabama (1) SEC championship

4. TCU (12-0, 70, 0) became Mountain West champ with a 51-10 victory last week over lowly New Mexico. Next opponent: Bowl

5. Cincinnati (12-0, 70.6, 0) was led by Tony Pike’s program record six touchdown passes last week in its 49-36 win over Illinois. The win set up a Big East “championship” game against Pittsburgh. Next opponent: Pittsburgh (15)

6. Boise State (12-0, 73.9, 0) scored enough to win a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship and keep its BCS hopes alive in a 44-33 victory over Nevada last week. Next opponent: New Mexico State (108)

7. Ohio State (10-2, 50.6, 68) is sitting and waiting to see what opponent it’ll play in the Rose Bowl, while wishing it was the national championship. Next opponent: Winner of Oregon/Oregon State in Rose Bowl

8. Iowa (10-2, 55.6, 37.5) could make a BCS game if the dominos fall in its favor. Next opponent: Bowl

9. Georgia Tech (10-2, 64.4, 28) had its final drive end on a dropped pass and lost 30-24 to rival Georgia. Next opponent: Clemson (34) Atlantic Coast Conference championship

10. Brigham Young University (10-2, 64.6, 46.5) chose to play defense first in overtime, and the decision paid off. It answered Utah’s field goal with a touchdown last week to win 26-23. Next opponent: Bowl

Bottom 10
111.) Rice (2-10, 97, 64.4) allowed the most points in an FBS game this season when it gave up 73 to Houston last week. The output was better (or worse) than Air Force’s 72 against FCS Nicholls State. Next opponent: The Texans might make the playoffs.

112.) Ball State (2-10, 98, 67.5) almost made it out of the bottom 10 after a 22-17 win against Western Michigan last week. Next opponent: Itself in the spring game.

113.) Memphis (2-10, 100.5, 61.2) nearly was left out of the bottom 10 but failed to score in overtime in a 33-30 loss to Tulsa last week. Next opponent: Recently fired coach Tommy West said either put the necessary resources into the program or rid it.

114.) North Texas (2-10, 105, 76) lost to former bottom 10 resident Arkansas State, 30-26, last week. Next opponent: Watching highlights of its four straight bowls from 2001-04.

115.) Vanderbilt (2-10, 118.5, 48.2) probably enjoyed Thanksgiving after its season ended last week. Next opponent: It gets Christmas off, too!

116.) Washington State (1-11, 13, 49.3) really put on an offense show last week, with zero points and whopping 163 yards total offense in a 30-0 loss to Washington. Next opponent: Hey, it defeated Southern Methodist University, which is going to play in the Hawaii Bowl.

117.) Miami (Ohio) (1-11, 75, 60) moved up a spot thanks to the inabilities of New Mexico. Next opponent: It’ll have a shot at the Frozen Four.

118.) New Mexico (1-11, 100, 60.5) didn’t have much of a chance last week in a 51-10 loss to No. 4 TCU. Next opponent: Coach Mike Locksley’s second year can’t go much worse.

119.) Western Kentucky (0-11, 0, 76.5) lost to Florida Atlantic, 29-23, last week but still has one more shot at victory. Next opponent: Arkansas State (102)

120.) Eastern Michigan (0-12, 0, 83.9) finished with a 28-21 loss to Akron last week but officially is the worst team. Next opponent: Embrace the process.

Previous rankings
Week 13
Week 12
Week 11
Week 10
Week 9
Week 8
Week 7
Week 6