Anybody can put together a list of the best ten teams in the country, but figuring out the worst ten teams in the country is a lot more fun.
For the last few years I've ranked college football teams based on a formula of my own creation. I've tinkered with it through the years when I felt it needed adjusting, but for the most part, it's based on the same premise. While I won't get into specifics of the formula, it's essentially a points-based system in which teams earn points and lose points based on the results of their on-field performance.
Winning and losing are the most important factor in the formula. Crazy, right?
The beauty of my formula is that I use it for all 125 FBS teams, so not only do I know who the best teams in the country are, but I also know the worst. And now I'm going to share that information with you every week.
Ladies and gentleman, welcome to The Best Worst Ten. A ranking of the worst 10 teams on the FBS level. The better your ranking, the worst you are.
So let's get to it.
No. 10 Hawaii 0-6 (Last week's ranking: 10)
Average Score: 22.8-35.33
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 37-27 vs. San Jose State
Personally I don't think Hawaii is the tenth-worst team in the land, but my opinion has no bearing here. What does is the fact that the Warriors haven't won a single game this season. As I said in the intro, wins and losses count more than anything, but it's the fact Hawaii isn't getting blown out that has a couple of teams with wins ahead of it on this list.
Next Game: 10/26 vs. Colorado State
No. 9 Massachusetts 1-6 (Unranked)
Average Score: 7.9-28.6
Best Win: 17-10 vs Miami (Ohio)
Worst Loss: 24-14 vs. Maine
The Minutemen were able to sneak out of the Best Worst Ten last week after beating Miami (Ohio), but a 32-3 loss on the road against Buffalo has them ranked yet again. I'm pretty sure that when Massachusetts made the decision to jump up to the FBS level, these are the kind of accolades they were hoping for.
Next Game: 10/26 vs. Western Michigan
No. 8 Idaho 1-6 (9)
Average Score: 16.4-43.1
Best Win: 26-24 vs. Temple
Worst Loss: 40-6 at North Texas
It's hard to believe Idaho can't find itself a conference when its defense has allowed at least 40 points in six of its seven games this season. I mean, name a school in a conference that wouldn't want to face a defense like that at least once a season?
Next Game: 10/26 at Ole Miss
No. 7 Eastern Michigan 1-6 (8)
Average Score: 19.7-42.3
Best Win: 34-24 vs. Howard
Worst Loss: 50-25 at Army
Eastern Michigan moves up a spot in the rankings this week thanks to its 56-28 loss to Ohio. Ohio became only the third team to manage at least 50 points against the Eagles as Eastern Michigan coach Ron English saw his record move to an impressive 11-44 in Ypsilanti.
Next Game: 10/26 at Northern Illinois
No. 6 Connecticut 0-6 (6)
Average Score: 16.3-30.7
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 33-18 vs. Towson
UConn survived a scare earlier this season against Michigan, nearly knocking off the Wolverines at home and tumbling out of our top ten. Thankfully the Huskies have gotten their affairs in order since that game, losing to Buffalo, South Florida and Cincinnati by an average of 19 points per game.
Next Game: 10/26 at UCF
No. 5 Southern Mississippi 0-6 (7)
Average Score: 12.5-40.2
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 24-23 vs. FIU
But it was all Ellis Johnson's fault, right? Southern Miss moves up two spots to fifth this week after giving up 476 yards and 55 points to East Carolina on Saturday. The same East Carolina that lost to Tulane last week -- though it did also destroy North Carolina this season. Southern Miss has now allowed 50 points or more in half its games this season, and while it's still on the outside looking in, I believe this team is fully capable of climbing up the poll as the season progresses.
Next Game: 10/26 vs. North Texas
No. 4 Miami (Ohio) 0-7 (4)
Average Score: 10.1-31.3
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 17-10 at UMass
We already know that the Redhawks are dedicated to reaching the top spot here, as they've already fired their head coach. That's a power move. Unfortunately what wasn't such a power move was hanging around and only losing to Akron 24-17 this week. Another close call like that and Southern Miss is going to pass the Redhawks by.
Next Game: 10/26 at Ohio
No. 3 Georgia State 0-7 (2)
Average Score: 16.6-35.7
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 42-14 vs. Chattanooga
Georgia State is falling apart the last few weeks. They looked like a title contender but in their last two games the Panthers have only lost by a combined score of 59-45. That's why they drop to third this week, but they better get it going because their strength of schedule can only prop them up for so long.
Next Game: 10/26 at Louisiana-Monroe
No. 2 Western Michigan 0-8 (3)
Average Score: 13.4-37.5
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 27-23 vs. Nicholls State
There is no conference as good at being bad as the MAC this season. While it doesn't lay claim to the top spot, Western Michigan is the fourth MAC team featured in the top ten this week. And the Broncos are the conference's strongest competitor. P.J. Fleck could have his team rowing the boat all the way to the top before we're said and done.
Next Game: 10/26 at Massachusetts
No. 1 New Mexico State 0-7 (1)
Average Score: 16.3-48.3
Best Win: None
Worst Loss: 66-17 at New Mexico
It's going to be hard to dethrone the Aggies at their current pace. After losing to Rice 45-19 this week they kept their season-long streak of not holding an opponent below 26 points alive. In fact, if you take away that close 26-16 loss against San Diego State, the Aggies haven't allowed less than 42 points in any game this season. When you combine the worst scoring defense with the No. 120 scoring offense, you are a force to be reckoned with, my friends.
Next Game: 10/26 vs. Abilene Christian
No Longer Ranked: Temple