Bottom 10 Reality Check: Week 1 Losses Expose Wider College Football Struggles
The opening weekend of college football delivered humbling results for programs beyond those typically found at the bottom of the rankings. While familiar names frequently enough populate the “Bottom 10” conversation, Week 1 revealed a broader landscape of struggles, with traditionally accomplished programs experiencing significant defeats.
Alabama‘s 31-17 loss to Florida State immediately thrust the Crimson Tide into the discussion,a rare position for the program. Though, they are not alone. Across the country, other teams faced unexpectedly lopsided outcomes, highlighting vulnerabilities and raising questions about early-season expectations. The defeats signal a possibly volatile season where established powerhouses may face more consistent challenges.
The “Coveted Fifth Spot” – a tongue-in-cheek reference to the lower echelon of college football – now includes teams grappling with significant issues. At Alabama, the loss to the Seminoles prompted a playful, yet pointed, question about the reaction of the program’s iconic coaching busts: “Do those busts make scary faces and sing spooky songs like the ones on the Haunted Mansion ride?”
Elsewhere, Missouri State was overwhelmed by USC 73-13, a result reminiscent of ancient roman spectacles where bears were pitted against criminals in the Colosseum. South Florida suffered a 39-7 defeat at the hands of Maryland, setting up a challenging schedule that the author likened to a Nat Geo documentary. Ball State, despite receiving ample payouts ($1.2 million from Purdue and $1.3 million from Auburn) for their early-season games, fell 31-0 to Purdue, suggesting the funds might be needed for recovery expenses.
Further down the list, the opening loss of charlotte (11 points to Appalachian State) foreshadows a potential “Pillow Fight of the week.” The author also noted a running list of teams deserving attention: Akron, Southern Miss, Kennesaw Mountain, Tennessee-Martin, and the absence of ESPN’s Lee Corso from the broadcast booth.
