The Bottom 25 is changing things up a bit this week. Normally in this space, I write about a trend within The Bottom 25 or a specific team in the rankings, but I'd like to focus on a team that isn't here this week.
I first gave a voice to the voiceless in 2013 when I began ranking the worst teams in the country. It was only The Bottom 10 when these rankings began, but it would grow to The Bottom 25 in 2014. In the seven seasons I've been doing these rankings, only one team has managed to win two Bottom 25 titles, and I'm happy to say that team won't be winning a third this season.
On Saturday, UTEP knocked off Louisiana Tech 19-3 to improve to 6-1 on the season. The win made the Miners bowl eligible for the first time since the 2014 season, and I cannot be happier about it. To see teams like UTEP and UTSA not only avoid The Bottom 25 but thrive is what I want for every single team in these rankings.
So, congratulations, Miners. Know that just because I'm not writing about you here, it doesn't mean I'm no longer watching.
The Bottom 25
| Team | Rank | Record | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 25. Colorado | 2-4 | Colorado put a beatdown on Arizona in The Bottom 25 Game of the Century of the Week, stomping the Wildcats 34-0. Sadly, as impressive of a performance it was, it wasn't enough to escape the rankings this week. That said, the margin between Colorado and our No. 26 team Illinois is razor-thin. A good performance against No. 21 Cal this week -- even in a loss -- might be enough to get out. (Last Week: 20) |
 | 24. Texas State | 2-4 | The Bobcats have been hovering around The Bottom 25 all season and reentered our air space this week following a 31-28 loss to Troy. This week the Bobcats get Georgia State. (Not Ranked) |
 | 23. ULM | 3-3 | The Warhawks pulled off a shocking upset, toppling Liberty 31-28 on Saturday to improve to 3-3. But they're still here! That's what happens when you're 3-3 and have a point differential of -101 on the season. ULM's three wins have been by an average of seven points. Its three losses have been by an average of 40.7 points. What will it be this week against South Alabama? (13) |
 | 22. Bowling Green | 2-5 | They'll never be able to take away the win over Minnesota. Since the Falcons pulled off that upset, they've lost three straight MAC games, though they haven't been embarrassed in any of them. We could see the third win soon enough. (25) |
 | 21. Cal | 1-5 | Cal continues to occupy the space between good enough to compete but not good enough to win. This week it was a seven-point loss to Oregon. I can't help but believe a win will come at some point, and perhaps it'll be at home this week against No. 25 Colorado in THE BOTTOM 25 GAME OF THE CENTURY OF THE WEEK! Yep, that's right! It's the only game between ranked teams that we have available this week. (23) |
 | 20. Tulane | 1-5 | If you think Tulane's struggles this season have caused me to wear my Tulane t-shirt or hoodie less often, you're wrong. I don't care what the record says; I'll sport that wave anywhere. As for how things are going on the field, well, life won't be getting easier. The Wave face SMU on Thursday night, which starts a tough run of games with Cincinnati to follow. (14) |
 | 19. Georgia Southern | 2-5 | The Eagles were torn apart by Jake Bentley and South Alabama last week. The former South Carolina quarterback accounted for five touchdowns in the 41-14 Jaguars victory. Southern will take this week off before returning against Georgia State. (22) |
 | 18. South Florida | 1-5 | The Bulls were so close! Tulsa's Shamari Brooks scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 47 seconds left to give Tulsa a 32-31 win last week. The Bulls look to finish the job this week against Temple. (21) |
 | 17. Vanderbilt | 2-5 | It was a rough week for Bottom 25 teams losing games late. Vanderbilt had a lead over South Carolina, but Zeb Noland and the Gamecocks put together a game-winning touchdown drive in the final moments to win the game 21-20. The Commies try to avoid the same fate this week at home against Mississippi State. (12) |
 | 16. Old Dominion | 1-6 | The Monarchs dropped their fifth straight, losing to Western Kentucky 43-20. The team is still looking for its first win over an FBS opponent in 2021, but it won't come this week, as the Monarchs are on a bye. (18) |
 | 15. Rice | 2-4 | The Owls' two-game win streak came to a sudden end on Saturday, as they looked more like Wile E. Coyote in a 45-0 loss to the Roadrunners. Another tough test awaits Rice this week when it travels to UAB. (15) |
 | 14. New Mexico | 2-5 | The Lobos didn't manage to do much during a 36-7 loss to Colorado State. New Mexico had only 76 yards of offense in the game, and while I don't have the numbers in front of me, I don't think a team has won a game with a yardage total that low since at least the Revolutionary War. New Mexico looks to hit the century mark this week at Wyoming. (17) |
 | 13. FIU | 1-5 | The Panthers took last weekend off, and return to action this week at home against Western Kentucky. (11) |
 | 12. North Texas | 1-5 | It turns out North Texas was the cure for everything that had been ailing Marshall. The Thundering Herd hadn't been thundering much in recent weeks, but they blitzed the Not-So-Mean Green with scores on their first six possessions in a 49-21 win last week. This week North Texas gets the same Liberty team that just lost to ULM. (16) |
 | 11. Navy | 1-5 | The Midshipmen couldn't contain the explosive plays during a 35-17 loss to Memphis, and it's hard for this team to play from behind. If we're honest with ourselves, they'll probably be behind again this week when they host Cincinnati. (19) |
 | 10. Akron | 2-5 | The Zips did not follow up their win over Bowling Green with a second victory last week, losing to Miami (OH) 34-21. This week the Zips will be hosting a Buffalo team that staged a comeback against the next team in our rankings. (9) |
 | 9. Ohio | 1-6 | Ohio became the first FBS team in history to have its QB run for a 99-yard touchdown and blow a 21-0 lead in the same game. Congrats! Seriously, the Bobcats built a 21-0 lead over Buffalo after the first quarter but were outscored 17-0 in the fourth quarter, with the Bulls winning the game with a field goal as time expired. It was rough. Hopefully the Bobcats can bounce back this week against Kent State. (7) |
 | 8. Southern Miss | 1-6 | The Golden Eagles have lost five straight following a 34-0 loss to UAB and are yet to pick up a win against an FBS team this season. There are a couple of chances to get one remaining on the schedule, but it won't be this week with the Eagles on a bye. (10) |
 | 7. Arkansas State | 1-5 | The Red Wolves were off last week but return to action on Thursday against Louisiana. (6) |
 | 6. New Mexico State | 1-6 | Listen, I root for every team in these rankings to win, but I'll admit I'm a little upset that Hawaii is no longer ranked. I really wanted New Mexico State and Hawaii to play in The Bottom 25 Game of the Century of the Week twice in one season. Anyway, the rematch is this Saturday in Honolulu. (5) |
 | 5. Arizona | 0-6 | Following their 34-0 loss to Colorado, the Wildcats have been outscored 109-35 in three Pac-12 games. That's not great. Making matters worse, you can argue that the Cats have played the "easier" part of their conference schedule. There don't appear to be a lot of winnable games left, but that doesn't mean it's not impossible! This is the Pac-12, after all. Anything is possible, so we aren't giving up on Arizona ahead of this week's game against Washington. (8) |
 | 4. UNLV | 0-6 | The Rebels join Arizona as one of only two winless teams left after falling short against Utah State in a 28-24 loss. Might the first win come this week against a San Jose State team that's looked vulnerable? (4) |
 | 3. UMass | 1-5 | UMass spent the last week celebrating their win over UConn, and now we have to hope they're past the hangover because they're playing Florida State this week in a Walt Bell Revenge Game. (3) |
 | 2. UConn | 1-7 | UConn is the King of Connecticut after knocking off Yale 21-15 in America's Most Basic Rivalry. They also keep alive our 2021 tradition of never having anybody repeat as the No. 1 team in The Bottom 25. Can the Huskies keep the momentum going on Friday against Middle Tennessee? (1) |
 | 1. Kansas | 1-5 | Earlier this week, it finally got cool enough to put my fur-lined slippers back on. The sensation of sliding my feet into that soft, fluffy warmth was not much different than seeing Kansas at No. 1 yet again. Hello, old friend. Welcome back. Something tells me that the Jayhawks could be the first team to stay at No. 1, considering they've got Oklahoma this week and Oklahoma State the week after. But maybe, just maybe... (2) |
No Longer Ranked: No. 24 Tulsa
