College Football 2011: The Bottom 25 Heading into Week 6

It's an ugly job, but somebody around here at Bleacher Report has to do it. The responsibility of choosing the worst of the worst in college football has been bestowed upon me.

In the following slide show we'll point out some of the worst teams to take the field every weekend, as well as some programs who are struggling beyond comprehension (or more than normal), as well as some bizarre moments from the past week in college football.

Continue on with the bottom 25, if you dare.

25. Texas A&M Second Half Adjustments

For the second consecutive week, Texas A&M blew a second half lead.

This one may have been a little more humbling than the one the prior week against Oklahoma State. The Aggies allowed Arkansas, their future SEC rival, to stun them in Cowboys Stadium on a grand stage.

Next up is a road trip to Texas Tech.

So, about that move to the SEC ...

24. Minnesota

Minnesota was happy to have their head coach, Jerry Kill, back on the sideline this past weekend in Ann Arbor, but that was the only thing worth smiling about. Michigan blew out the Gophers, 58-0.

We already knew Minnesota had a long way to go before being competitive in the Big Ten, but that was one terrible loss.

Minnesota visits Purdue this weekend.

23. South Florida

South Florida came crashing back to Earth a little bit last week against Pittsburgh.

The Bulls were flattened by the Panthers on a Thursday night, which has become USF's nemesis of sorts over the years.

What looked to be a promising up and coming Big East team fell well short of expectations. They had a rough outing all around, allowing Ray Graham to run all over the field.

South Florida looks to rebound next week after a week off to prepare for Connecticut.

22. Kentucky

Kentucky was LSU's latest victim this season, and if not for a touchdown in the fourth quarter with the game well decided, the Wildcats would have been shut out on the road in a tough environment.

Things certainly don't get much easier for Kentucky this week, with a road game at a South Carolina team that looks to rebound after a bad loss at home last weekend.

21. UCLA

Will UCLA ever matter again in college football?

Perhaps in time, although things look bleak right now. Is Rick Neuheisel going to be one of the first coaches to be forced out in the Pac 12?

We'll see.

UCLA was roughed up by Stanford last weekend, so the Bruins will look to get another win this weekend against Washington State, in an attempt to even their season record at 3-3.

20. Middle Tennessee State

Congrats to Middle Tennessee State on getting in to the win column this past weekend.

Normally, we reward teams for their first win of the season here, but your first win was against Memphis, so should we really give you too much credit here?

Middle Tennessee State goes for a two-game winning streak Thursday night against Western Kentucky. Consider this game for the truly addicted college football fans.

19. Nebraska's Big Ten Debut

Penn State won their first Big Ten game in 1993.

Michigan State won their first Big Ten game in 1952.

Nebraska could not keep that trend going with their first Big Ten game, as Wisconsin pulled away with a huge win against the newest conference member.

Nebraska returns home this weekend and will look forward to playing their first Big Ten home game against a reeling Ohio State team.

18. Stephen Garcia

Stephen Garcia passed for just 160 yards and was intercepted twice, as South Carolina was upset at home by the Auburn Tigers.

Whether Auburn just has South Carolina's number or not, Garcia's time finally expired as the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks.

Steve Spurrier announced that Connor Shaw will be the starting quarterback for South Carolina this weekend against Kentucky.

Nice knowing you, Garcia.

17. Utah State's Abiltity to Close out a Game

Utah State would be a great team if games only lasted 55 minutes.

Once again, Utah State gave up a late score and took a heartbreaking loss. BYU drove practically an entire football field's length to score a late touchdown for a Friday night victory.

Utah State's season started by giving up late points at Auburn and the Aggies lost an overtime game against Colorado State.

What suspenseful ending is in store this week against Wyoming?

16. Mississippi State

Remember all of that talk about how Mississippi State was going to put together a solid season in the SEC?

In case you forgot, Mississippi State started the season in the top 25.

The Bulldogs have now lost three of their last four games, and had to go to overtime to knock off Louisiana Tech. This past weekend's loss to Georgia was good for the Georgia Bulldogs and demoralizing for Mississippi State.

Mississippi State takes on UAB this weekend. More on the Blazers a little later.

15. Boston College

The Boston College Eagles lost at home to Wake Forest, and now everybody following the program seems to have had enough of head coach Frank Spaziani.

Now comes a tough stretch of games against Clemson, Virginia Tech and Florida State along with a road game at Maryland.

14. Penn State Quarterbacks

Penn State's quarterbacks Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden managed to lead the offense to 16 points in a win against Indiana.

It does not matter who is under center for Penn State, because right now they both stink.

Penn State takes on Iowa this weekend at home. Joe Paterno still says both guys will see playing time because he can't decide between the two.

13. Indiana

Even though Penn State was trying their best to hand the Hoosiers the game over the weekend, Indiana could not take advantage.

Sure, they went up against a superior defense, but when a team turns the ball over as often as Penn State did, and you are playing at home, you have to take full advantage of the opportunities.

Indiana did not. This week they host Illinois.

12. Buffalo

Buffalo was blown out by Tennessee on the road this weekend to drop to 1-4 on the season.

So far the only win on the Buffalo schedule has been a 35-7 win against Stony Brook, an FCS program.

Buffalo takes on Ohio this week in MAC play. Will this help turn things around for the Bulls?

11. Louisville

It is quickly looking like it will be a long season for the Louisville Cardinals.

At least there is realignment to look forward to, or basketball coach Rick Pitino's ramblings to keep us all occupied as we get through this season.

Louisville lost at home to Marshall this past weekend, 17-13, and this week they head to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for the "I wish this were a basketball game of the week."

10. Ohio State

At some point even the most anti-Buckeyes fans out there have to feel bad for Luke Fickell, who is in charge of trying to salvage a season in Columbus.

Ohio State's latest loss, against Michigan State, has people starting to turn on the program a bit more, and athletic director Gene Smith's recent press conference didn't do much to help his cause.

Ohio State still has games against Nebraska, Wisconsin and what appears to be an improved Michigan team on the schedule.

Pretty soon will we be wondering if the Buckeyes will even go to a bowl game?

Ohio State visits Lincoln, Nebraska, this weekend to take on the Cornhuskers.

9. Idaho

They hung in there on the road, but Idaho was unable to pick up a win at Virginia.

Virginia took the win in overtime, sending Idaho on a long trip home with a 1-4 record.

Idaho is home this weekend for a pillow fight against Louisiana Tech.

8. Memphis

Memphis is widely regarded as one of the most down-trodden programs in college football, and their best chance for a win against an FBS team was just out of reach this past weekend, with Middle Tennessee State picking up a 38-31 win at home.

We're not sure if the Tigers will pick up a second win this season or not, but this weekend's game at Rice may be their next best chance to do so.

7. Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech was beaten down at home, losing to Hawaii 44-26.

Warriors quarterback Bryant Moniz threw for 410 yards to help send the Bulldogs to a 1-4 start this season.

Louisiana Tech visits WAC opponent Idaho this weekend in what we have already dubbed as a pillow fight.

Bring extra feathers for this one.

6. Florida Atlantic

The Owls are coming off their fourth-straight loss to open the season, but at least this last time they came close.

A 37-34 setback against Louisiana-Lafayette was a tough pill to swallow, but after three straight blowout losses at the hands of Florida, Michigan State and Auburn, it's a mark of improvement, we hope.

Florida Atlantic is looking for their first win of the season, and if they do not get it this weekend against North Texas, we will start to grow very concerned for Howard Schnellenberger.

He deserves to go out with some wins, that much is certain. 

5. Oregon State

The Pac 12's last team to be without a win, Oregon State, is making a case for being one of the worst teams from a conference with an automatic bid into a BCS game.

We still can't get past losing at home to Sacramento State in overtime to start the season, and that performance against Wisconsin left a lasting impression on some of us.

Now the Beavers are already in a hole in the Pac 12 North, with two conference losses to UCLA and Arizona State.

Just think, they still have to play Stanford and Oregon. Uh oh.

This week they take on Arizona at home. Good luck to them.

4. Miami, Ohio

Miami Ohio is the last MAC team looking for their first win, so the pressure is on.

But when you have the nation's worst running offense (49 yards per game) and the 113th scoring offense (13 points per game), getting that win is going to be extremely hard to do.

Miami plays Army this weekend. Too bad for them. Only Navy fans root against Army. (I hear you Air Force fans.)

3. UAB

They are the last Conference USA team looking to score a win, and the quest will continue this weekend against Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs have been floundering this season but should still be able to flex some muscle against the Blazers. 

We're looking at a program that ranks 94th in passing, 107th in rushing, 116th in scoring and 108th in scoring defense.

Aside from playing Florida, UAB has not exactly played the toughest schedule, with East Carolina, Tulane and Troy handing UAB their other three losses.

2. Western Kentucky

We'll give you this Western Kentucky: You gave us one of the season's first Internet meme's of note.

But since then? How about two straight losses to Navy and Indiana State, and—wait, you mean FCS Indiana State (Yes, THAT Indiana State)—a close loss to Arkansas State.

That's just not acceptable, guys.

And by the way, that loss against Kentucky doesn't even get points for coming against an SEC team.

Western Kentucky takes on Middle Tennessee State this weekend. If they lose this one, brace yourself for an 0-12 season. It is very likely. That November 12 game at LSU could be ugly, too.

1. New Mexico (0-5)

Our absolute worst team in the nation has to be New Mexico.

Just look at the record. New Mexico is 0-5. Nobody in the nation has a record that bad. So, until the Lobos can pick up a win, it looks as though they have a solid seat in the "top" spot in the Bleacher Report Bottom 25.

New Mexico takes on Nevada this weekend.