College Football Rankings 2011: The Bottom 25 Heading into Week 8

It is time once again to pick through the leftovers and afterthoughts in college football with a look at this week's Bleacher Report Bottom 25.

We picked through the bottom of the standings in each conference and attempted to put the bottom-feeders in some order, but when you are dealing with such quality teams it can sometimes be hard to choose one over (or under) the other.

Bear with us as we try once again to dig to the bottom of the college football world.

25. Tulane

It probably should not have been much of a surprise to see Tulane part ways with head coach Bob Toledo this week after the Green Wave started off 2-5 with wins coming against FCS Southeastern Louisiana and UAB.

The Syracuse loss was tough to swallow (but so was Toledo's), and last week's 44-7 loss to UTEP was the breaking point for all parties involved.

Next up is a chance to get back in the win column with Tulane hosting Memphis this weekend.

24. Western Kentucky

We're going to lump these next three schools together for the sake of geography, but we'll start with Western Kentucky.

The Hilltoppers have won two straight games, but have done so against two teams found much later on this list. Western Kentucky shut out Florida Atlantic last week, 20-0, a week after picking up a win in double overtime, 36-33, against Middle Tennessee.

Next up for Western Kentucky is Louisiana-Lafayette.

23. Louisville

Things are pretty messy in the state of Kentucky right now as far as college football is concerned.

Louisville is averaging 16.3 points per game, but the defense is only allowing 17.7 points per game.

So what's the problem?

How about a running game that is ranked 102nd in the nation?

The Cardinals have lost three straight games after beating Kentucky. Louisville takes on Rutgers Friday night this week and hosts Syracuse next week. A couple of wins, following the extension of Charlie Strong as head coach, could be enough to turn this season around.

22. Kentucky

The SEC may be the best conference in college football, but that doesn't mean everybody is on fire this season.

Kentucky had a bye week to try and put the pieces together after being blasted by South Carolina, 54-3. The Wildcats' scoring production has decreased each of the last five games.

This week Kentucky gets back on the field and should have an easy matchup, although Jackson State won't be the easiest of FCS opponents to take down.

21. Rice

Rice came close to winning their second straight game of the season, but they were unable to do so against Marshall this weekend. Rice fell short by four points, losing 24-20.

Rice is ranked 95th in passing and 75th in rushing, 88th in scoring and 94th in scoring defense. This weekend Rice takes on Tulsa in Conference USA action, and next week they travel to Houston to try and slow down Case Keenum and that high-flying offense.

20. Miami (Ohio)

The RedHawks rank dead last in rushing, averaging just 66.3 yards per game, and they have averaged 16 points per game. We give Miami credit for winning two games in a row, but scoring just nine points against Kent State is still a reason to make sure we include Miami in this conversation.

The RedHawks take on Toledo this weekend, one of the MAC favorites this season.

19. Central Michigan

Central Michigan ranks 103rd in scoring defense and 93rd in scoring offense.

That makes winning quite difficult when it comes to winning football games.

While the Chippewas still have a decent passing game (41st), it is the lack of a running game that really hurts Central Michigan.

The team looks to rebound from losing to Eastern Michigan by taking to the road to Ball State this weekend.

18. Buffalo

A week after upsetting Ohio, 38-37, Buffalo took to the road and got spanked by Bernard Pierce and Temple, 34-0.

Yes, the Owls look to be a MAC East favorite, so there is no shame in losing in Philadelphia, but Buffalo's 93rd-ranked passing game and 108th scoring offense is not doing the team any favors.

Buffalo's next task is trying to slow down Chandler Harnish and Northern Illinois this weekend.

17. North Texas

North Texas could not keep up with Louisiana-Lafayette this past weekend, losing 30-10. It was the second time this season North Texas was held to 10 points or less (Alabama).

We rank North Texas here because their two wins are against teams yet to be mentioned on this list.

This week North Texas faces Louisiana-Monroe.

16. Idaho

When you lose to New Mexico State, you guarantee a spot in the Bottom 25.

Truth is, Idaho deserves a spot here anyway. A feeble running game and a lack of scoring tend to have that effect on teams.

Idaho has a bye this week, so that's good news for everyone. They take on Hawaii next weekend.

15. Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee does deserve to be a little lower (higher?) on this list, but they had a bye week to allow us to try and forget about a 36-33 overtime loss to Western Kentucky. Those Hilltoppers are all of a sudden 2-1 in the Sun Belt, but that's besides the point.

The Blue Raiders take on Florida Atlantic this weekend in prime time. Strangely enough, Middle Tennessee has the offense to contend in the Sun Belt, but their defense is flat-out bad, ranked 114th in the nation in scoring defense.

14. Oregon State

We could not possibly rank Oregon State below Arizona, and with some slightly better numbers than Colorado, we'll go ahead and make Oregon State the first of the Pac-12 schools we mention.

But don't think we have forgotten about that season-opener and that beat down against Wisconsin, guys.

But we do mildly respect the Beavers for keeping things more interesting in recent weeks by keeping games within reach. Can we consider that a moral victory?

Oregon State visits Washington State this weekend. With a win we might just consider leaving Oregon State off this list next week.

13. Colorado

We know that buffalo are known to run or stampede, but Colorado fails to do just that. Colorado is ranked 113th in the nation in rushing, a far cry form the days of Rashaan Salaam.

We're predicting an ugly outcome this weekend when Colorado hosts Oregon and their high-flying offense, with or without LaMichael James.

12. Arizona

Arizona got rid of Mike Stoops before getting in to their bye week, so now we'll see how the team responds. The Wildcats have the passing game to compete with almost anybody, but they need to get some more points and keep the opposing teams off the scoreboard.

The second half of the season could easily see a turnaround with an easier schedule (Arizona has already played Oklahoma State, Stanford, Oregon and USC). It almost, ALMOST, makes you wonder what the rush to fire Stoops was.

Arizona hosts UCLA Thursday night.

11. Kansas

Kansas has done their part to ensure that scoreboard light bulbs will be in high demand this fall.

The Jayhawks have given up 294 points this season, an average of 49 points per game. During this four-game losing streak Kansas has allowed no fewer than 45 points and has given up 66 points or more twice.

TWICE!

This week Kansas hosts one of the biggest surprise teams in the Big 12, rival Kansas State.

10. Boston College

Boston College had a week off, and the pressure is on Frank Spaziani to get something turned around in a hurry. There is plenty of room for improvement, but we'll start with a running game that is suffering big time with the loss of their top running back, currently ranked 94th in the nation with 118.2 yards per game.

Boston College visits Virginia Tech this weekend.

9. Minnesota

You can flip-flop these next two teams if you wish, but we'll give Minnesota a slight leg up on the Hoosiers since they have a win against an FBS team.

Of course, they have lost to an FCS team as well.

Minnesota had a week off after losing to Purdue, 45-17.

This week? Nebraska.

Good luck Gophers!

8. Indiana

A year after being totally embarrassed by Wisconsin, the Hoosiers managed to hold Wisconsin to 59 points last weekend, I guess.

In Big Ten play, Indiana has been outscored 116-37 through three games.

This weekend Indiana is back on the road, playing at Iowa. If the Hoosiers can't score a win in either of the next two weeks, it may come down to the regular-season finale against Purdue.

7. Akron

Fortunately for us, Akron was on a bye week, so we don't need to come up with some thoughts on just how poorly this team has been playing this season.

This week the Zips get back to MAC play with a game against rival Ohio. The Zips have had a little extra time to lick their wounds from a home loss against Florida International, which is not necessarily a shameful loss in itself, but the way they lost is something they hopefully took a look at as they prepare for the second half of the season.

6. UNLV

The Rebels dropped to 1-5 on the year following a 41-14 blowout to Wyoming.

UNLV's defense does not give this team much of a chance, allowing an average of 41.5 points per game while the offense is only scratching together 15.5 PPG, including 30 points over the last three games combined.

We ask this every week, but how did this team beat Hawaii by 20 points? Just cannot get over that!

5. Kent State

Owners of the absolutely worst total offense in the nation, Kent State is only held out of the top spot in this ranking because they have a win this season, although even that came against FCS South Alabama.

This past weekend may have been one of the worst games for Kent State. The defense held Miami to nine points, but the offense only managed three points.

But how much do you expect from a team averaging 10.7 points per game, which is inflated by scoring 33 points against South Alabama?

4. Memphis

Because it just wouldn't seem right not having Memphis in the bottom five, or top five as it happens to be in this case.

The Tigers were defeated by East Carolina, 35-17, over the weekend and now prepare to take on a Tulane team in a state of changes at the head coaching position.

Will that play in to an advantage for Memphis? Who knows!

Probably not.

3. New Mexico

New Mexico allowed more than 40 points for the fifth straight time this season in a 49-7 loss to Nevada this past weekend, and it is hard to believe there is a defense that has allowed more points per game than the Lobos (Kansas).

The offense is not the biggest problem for New Mexico, but they struggle to score points (17.7 PPG). We wish them the best of luck in the next few weeks with TCU, Air Force and San Diego State lined up.

And Boise State at the end of the season could turn ugly in a hurry.

2. UAB

The UAB Blazers dropped to 0-6 following a loss to conference rival Tulsa. UAB is now 0-3 in Conference USA, and they just do not seem to have the necessary athletes to make a turnaround possible in the second half of the regular season.

UAB is ranked 78th in passing, 104th in rushing and 117th in scoring. Only two games have been decided by fewer than 17 points this season.

And it may be a few more weeks until UAB has a chance to pick up their first win of the season. Next up for UAB is Central Florida, and Houston comes up in a couple weeks.

1. Florida Atlantic

Florida Atlantic is now 0-6 after being shut out by Western Kentucky this past weekend.

The Owls are ranked 111th in passing, 116th in rushing and 119th in scoring, while allowing 33.8 points per game (104th). The Owls are also averaging just 211.8 yards per game on offense, which is 119th in the nation.

It certainly has not been a fun year for Florida Atlantic, but they are looking forward to getting on some kind of track with a new and improved stadium atmosphere being ushered in.

This weekend Florida Atlantic looks to score a win when Middle Tennessee comes to town.

Are we looking at the ultimate pillow fight at the end of the season between winless Florida Atlantic and UAB?

Kevin McGuire is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com.

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