College Football 2011: The Bottom 25 Heading into Week 5

LSU has jumped past Oklahoma in one poll, but neither team is listed in this poll—and they should be thankful for that.

This is the college football bottom 25. Today we take a look at some of the worst teams in college football as well as poke some fun at some of the moments form this past weekend that made us all laugh a little at somebody's expense (at least we hope we all laughed).

This list won't be pretty, but we'll try to make this entertaining and maybe even a little informative.

25. Kentucky

Is it time to officially bury the Kentucky Wildcats yet? After a sluggish (being kind) 2-0 start the Wildcats have dropped two straight with a loss to rival Louisville and last weekend's blistering loss to Florida in SEC East play.

Kentucky is averaging 17 points per game (107th in the nation) but allowing just 22 point per game (46th). That second number may be skewed based on two wins against Western Kentucky and Central Michigan, who each appear in this week's bottom 25. Florida put up 48 points against Kentucky and things certainly will not be getting much easier the next few weeks for the Cats.

Kentucky travels to top-ranked LSU this weekend and plays at South Carolina next week. Kentucky's best chance for a win appears to be the following week against Jacksonville State, who defeated Ole Miss last season in overtime to open the season.

24. Mike Locksley

It was only a matter of time before Mike Locksley was told to clean out his office at New Mexico, but who would have predicted it would happen in this fashion? Well, besides everybody that is.

We'll get to New Mexico's loss a little bit later, but Locksley was linked to a bizarre story off the field that must have helped play some role in making the decision now rather than later. A 19-year old junior college football player form Illinois was found driving while intoxicated in an SUV registered to Locksley. Police made the arrest and the school initially said the suspect was borrowing the car from Locksley's son, a walk-on football player at New Mexico.

Whether Locksley knew about it or not, it certainly does not look good for anybody involved. Winning two games since 2009 does not help either.

New Mexico relieved Locksley of his duties on Sunday and named defensive coordinator George Barlow interim coach for the remainder of the season.

23. Miami Ohio

Fans were picking on the fact we placed Miami Ohio in the bottom 25 two weeks ago based on the closeness of the game against Missouri to open the season. Well, a couple more weeks have gone by and Miami is sitting at 0-3 with losses to Minnesota and Bowling Green.

The RedHawks have scored 17.3 points per game (105th in the nation) and have allowed 27.7 points per game (78th). While the passing game is still something opposing teams will need to take seriously, the running game is anything from it. Miami averages 261.3 yards per game through the air (39th) but the running game is managing to average just 66.3 yards per game (118th).

This week Miami takes on in-state rival Cincinnati, who comes off a nice win against N.C. State last Thursday night. With extra rest, look for the Bearcats to be in fine shape for Miami and send the RedHawks to 0-4.

22. Florida State's Preseason Hype

I'm willing to give Florida State the excuse of playing with a back-up quarterback against Clemson. They did after all put up 30 points in a losing effort (don't forget one defensive touchdown). A week after coming up short against Oklahoma (excusable), the Seminoles failed to rebound against Clemson in the biggest game they'll play in the division all season.

I always felt that Florida State was going to be a title contender in 2012, but I fully expected them to be the team to beat in the ACC in 2011. That may still be true even after losing to Clemson, but there is a lot of football to be played now and another loss should certainly not be out of the question.

Florida State's defense will get a chance to catch their breath this week before getting back to ACC play on October 8 against Wake Forest.

21. Idaho

It's not easy playing in the state of Idaho, unless you are Boise State. It is amazing to watch just how far these two programs have grown apart over the years. While the Broncos are a legitimate BCS contender, Idaho is struggling against the likes of Bowling Green and Fresno State.

Idaho's rushing game averages 67.3 yards per game (117th in the nation) and they are scoring just 22.5 points per game (94th) while the defense has given up 32.8 points per game (102nd).

This week, the Vandals head to Virginia before returning home to host Louisiana Tech.

20. Middle Tennessee State

Middle Tennessee is still on the pursuit of their first win of the season, and although they have a threatening passing game (17th in the nation), the running game is average (63rd), and though they are able to put up points (26.7 points per game), the defense can't stop anybody, allowing 38 points per game after games against Purdue, Georgia Tech and Troy.

If Middle Tennessee State does not pick up a win this week against Memphis or next week against Western Kentucky, when will the Blue Raiders find a win?

19. UNLV

UNLV followed up a surprising win against Bryant Moniz and the Hawaii Warriors by losing at home to FCS Southern Utah, 41-16. Sure, southern Utah is 3-1 now with a one-point loss to the respectable South Dakota State, but the Rebels look as though they forgot to come out at halftime, being outscored 31-6 in the second half.

UNLV now ranks 101st in passing, 101st in scoring and 118th in scoring defense.

This week, UNLV has a bye week to pick up the pieces and prepare for a rivalry game against the WAC's Nevada, which will become a conference rivalry next season. 

I'm still trying to figure out how Hawaii lost to UNLV...

18. Eastern Michigan

There is the Eastern Michigan we're more familiar with. After starting the season against a pair of FCS programs and winning, the Eagles have landed back in familiar territory with two straight blowout losses at the hands of Big Ten teams.

First Michigan roughed them up 31-3 in Ann Arbor and then Penn State's anemic pass offense torched the Eagles for four passing touchdowns in a 34-6 decision.

Eastern Michigan returns to MAC play this week with a matchup against Akron.

17. Penn State Trainer

It was a scary situation in Penn State's Beaver Stadium on Saturday when cornerback D'Anton Lynn was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field for a trip to the hospital. A neck injury suffered while attempting to make a tackle against Eastern Michigan turned out to be much less worse than it looked with Lynn being released from the hospital later that same day.

There was a brief moment of hilarity, though, to lighten the mood at least a little bit when a trainer forgot to buckle up and fell out of the seat as the cart sped off the field.

Lynn and the trainer are doubtful for this weekend.

16. Maryland

We could pick on Maryland for a few reasons, starting with the uniforms. But I have to be honest, I was not really upset with their uniform selection for the Temple game this past weekend.

And I hate to criticize a defense for not being able to stop one of the top running backs in the nation, but the Terps could not even slow down Temple's Bernard Pierce, who rushed for a MAC and school record five touchdowns and for 149 yards for good measure.

Maybe Maryland should stop worrying so much about uniform combinations they can wear and instead find some run defenders.

15. Oklahoma State Uniforms

Enough already Oklahoma State. When fans turn on your game they should not be thinking that they are watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. White helmets, orange letters. That is your thing. Stick with that.

But hey, congrats on the victory in College Station!

14. Akron

Consider this a favorable position in the bottom 25, Akron. After three blowout losses at the hands of Ohio State, Temple and Cincinnati, we take it easy on you this week even thought your first win of the season came against Virginia Military Institute. The fact that you won by 23 points was enough for us to keep you out of the bottom ten for this week, but there is plenty of room for improvement for you moving forward.

This week, you take on Eastern Michigan, who has also been exposed the past couple of weeks. Will you be able to perform at least a little better on the road in this pillow fight? We sure hope so, otherwise it's back in to the bottom 10 for you next week.

13. Central Michigan

Central Florida has seen victory slip farther and farther away each week this season. After opening up with a win against FCS South Carolina State, the Chippewas lost to Kentucky by 14 points, then lost to Western Michigan by 30 points and were defeated by Michigan State by 38 points last week. Can they start to close the gap this week? Perhaps, but a win will not come easy against Northern Illinois and the running game the Huskies bring to play.

12. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has been a wreck this season, and they have not even played a single game in the SEC West yet. Uh-oh!

The Rebels rank 113th in passing, 102nd in rushing and 103rd in scoring, which makes ranking 60th in scoring defense look not too shabby by comparison. This week, Ole Miss takes on Fresno State, who is a favorite. After that, Ole Miss begins a rough stretch with Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn in consecutive weeks.

11. Indiana

Indiana dug a hole early on the road against North Texas, and the entire defensive effort was enough to cause some members of the coaching staff to react negatively in the media. Indiana dropped to 1-3 with a 24-21 loss to woeful North Texas, who rushed for 226 yards against the Hoosiers.

This week, Indiana hosts Penn State in the Big Ten Leaders Division opener, a week after Penn State passed for four touchdowns.

10. Tajh Boyd, Clemson Quarterback

Clemson's Tajh Boyd had a fine game against Florida State, leading the Tigers to a 35-30 win while passing for 344 yards and throwing three touchdowns. His efforts earned him ACC Offensive Back Player of the Week honors, but we like to poke fun at individuals from time to time in the bottom 25, and Boyd is no exception, despite having a good weekend.

Boyd stumbled and tried to get rid of the football under pressure (sort of), and unfortunately for Boyd, he completed one of the most bizarre interceptions we have seen in a long time.

We'll let this animated GIF speak for itself.

9. Memphis

It was back to reality for Memphis last weekend. After picking up a win against Austin Peay, the Tigers were shutout by Southern Methodist 42-0 at home, and fell to 1-3.

The Tigers are averaging just 86.3 rushing yards per game and scoring an average of 11 points per game, including 27 point scored against Austin Peay. Against FBS opponents, Memphis has been outscored 148-17 this season.

This week, Memphis takes on Middle Tennessee State, who is looking for their first win of the season.

8. UAB

Alabama-Birmingham is one of two programs (Central Florida) without a single passing touchdown this season after playing three games. The team passer rating of 35.0 is the third worst in the nation, ahead of Kent State (more on them in a bit) and Army.

The Blazers came up short of their first win of the season last weekend by losing to East Carolina, 28-23.

This week, UAB travels to Troy.

7. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State Wide Receiver

Again, we take nothing away from the performance of Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, but we can't let this one slip by without mention.

Blackmon helped Brandon Weeden and Oklahoma State put together a thrilling second-half rally at Texas A&M to secure a victory on the road in College Station, with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Except, it should have been two touchdowns to help Oklahoma State build up some more breathing room.

Running to the corner of the end zone after making the catch, Blackmon fumbled the ball without being contacted by an Aggie defender. Two hands next time, eh super star?

We will again let the animated GIF do the talking.

6. New Mexico

New Mexico made the right decision in firing their head coach, otherwise, they would be a couple spots higher in this week's bottom 25. I'll give them a couple points for trying to do the right thing.

But what is not forgivable is losing at home to an FCS program, even if they are a talented program such as Sam Houston State. The fact that New Mexico needed to score two touchdowns in the final six minutes just to tie the game and force an overtime should speak for itself.

New Mexico ranks next to last in the nation in scoring defense, allowing an average of 43.3 points per game, and they are only scoring 17.8 points per game. That is hardly a combination that could lead to a win from time to time.

This week, New Mexico faces rival New Mexico State.

5. Oregon State

A change at quarterback was not enough of a spark for Oregon State, who fell to 0-3 on the year after losing at home to UCLA. Sean Marrion passed for 287 yards and a touchdown but his interception was one of two turnovers for the Beavers this past weekend.

Oregon State has now started the season by losing to FCS Sacramento State, getting blitzed by Wisconsin and losing at home to UCLA coming off a bye week. Will things ever get better for Oregon State?

This week, the Beavers travel to Arizona State to take on Vontaze Burfict and the Sun Devils, who are fresh off a big win against USC.

4. Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky had a week to rebound from their latest loss to FCS Indiana State, a 44-16 shelling at home. The Hilltoppers have been outscored 84-30 in their last two games after keeping things close with Kentucky in the season opener.

Western Kentucky ranks 110th in total offense, with 293.3 yards per game, which is better than some teams on this list, but it is hard to erase the stain of a 28 point loss to an average FCS team like Indiana State. Until Western Kentucky wins a game, they will remain in the top five for sure.

3. Kent State

Kent State picked up a win this weekend, and I generally try to avoid listing teams after picking up their first win of the season, but this win came against FCS South Alabama in its third year as a program, and it was a one-score game.

What's more, South Alabama held Kent State to 94 passing yards. If not for four South Alabama turnovers, who knows what might have happened. The visiting Jaguars out-gained Kent State 374-281.  Clearly, the Golden Flashes have a long way to go.

Kent State will enter this weekend's matchup with MAC East rival Ohio wielding the 118th passing offense, 101st rushing offense, 116th scoring offense and 100th scoring defense in the nation. Not good news when Ohio is no lower than 47th in any of those categories.

2. Big East Officials

There is simply no excuse for this incident in the Syracuse-Toledo game.

Syracuse scored a late touchdown to pull ahead of visiting Toledo, but missed the extra point attempt. Or so it should have been ruled.

Big East officials missed the call initially but took the time to go back and check the video replay to determine if the football split through the uprights or sailed wide left. In this image you can clearly see the football passing in front of the goal post.

How anyone could miss this on a video replay is beyond me.

To their credit, the Big East did quickly release a statement confirming the wrong call was made, but Toledo is hoping to have the win vacated by any means necessary. Toledo kicked a field goal to force overtime, when in reality it could have handed the Rockets a win.

1. Florida Atlantic

It's hard to win games when the offense can't score points. It's especially hard when you go up against three schools from an AQ conference on the road.

Florida Atlantic is last in the nation in scoring offense (5.7 points per game) and rushing offense (53.3 yards per game) and the defense has allowed 38.3 points per game (112th) to Florida, Michigan State and Auburn. The passing game has only managed to put together 110.7 yards per game, good for 116th in the nation.

We suspect things will pick up a little bit with the Owls starting up Sun Belt play this weekend against Louisiana-Lafayette, followed by a trip to North Texas next week.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter. Become a fan of him on Facebook.