You knew it had to happen some time. But this is the perfect week for it.

The All-Owl Edition of the AAC Bottom Ten!

Aresco has pulled a double coup by not only holding on tight to the conference’s flagship Owl team, but also pulling in every other team in FBS that’s ever been known as the Owls.
And as this week’s list should make clear, four things matter in realignment. Markets, Academics, Non-revenue Sports, and, mostly, mascots.

So let’s all “give a hoot” for this week’s AAC Bottom Ten!

1. Charlotte (not San Francisco) 49ers (not Owls) (0-3)
It’s been decades since UNCC was known as the Owls, but the fans still fondly remember, and it’s certainly been a great throw back year so far. Charlittle has been, at best, meh against subpar competition so far this year. Bottom Ten fans wondered if a triple-digit loss could be in the offing when the Owls (er, 49ers) hosted Maryland. Like in the stock market, the key to Bottom Ten success is to “beat expectations”. Charlotte fell just short of that, losing “only” 56-21. But we’ll keep ‘em #1 just the same as the nation’s first team to lose three games.

2. Who killed Kenny Sawstate (0-2)
With our other AAC Owls “winning” this week (albeit against lesser competition), “Hoo” could we move in to spot two? Sin-Sin’s FCS competition, that’s “Hoo”.
While the Bearkats avoided 0-2 and the Bottom Ten for another week, they exposed the porus offense and defense and special teams of the Kennesaw Owls 63-10. After losing on the road in week 1 to Samford (not Stanford), these 0-2 Owls will finally play their home opener next week hosting 0-2 Wofford. It should be a fine opportunity for a little bit of a “Sawstate Redemption”.

3. Navy Albatrosses (0-2) If you come in to the week #3 and then lose to another Bottom Ten team, then you have to hold your ground, even if it bird-poops on the all-Owl party at the top of the Charts. But birds of a feather flock together, and there was no question that the Navy Albatrosses did their very best “Owl Impersonation” with their 37-13 loss to former #9 Memphis. (Although perhaps the more precise term is “Imbirdination”?)

4. Don’t sleep in Temple (1-1)
While these Owls crossed in to the right side of the W-L ledger, they had to do it by crossing onto the Championship side of the FBS/FCS tracks. The 30-14 win at home against Lafayette sounded a lot more impressive until you realize this wasn’t Sun Belt stalwart Louisiana-Lafayette formerly known as Southwestern Louisiana and now simply known by their symbol £. It was just plain old Lafayette.

5. FAU (2-1) The Flatlantic Owls are 2-1 after whooping on South Eastern (not Western) Louisiana 42-9. That earns them the honorary 5-spot, ‘cause not only might they be ok, they are also the ONLY Owls in the nation so far with a win over an FBS opponent. As you recall, that was their impressive week zero win against the #1 Charlittle Owls.

6. Rice Rice Baby (1-1)
It was also a winning celebration for the Rice Owls home opener against (checks notes) McNeese State. Rice powered to a 52-10 win, which was a great (for Rice) win and the program’s biggest margin of victory since a 2008 dismantling of then-SunBelt stalwart North Texas 77-20.
Rice should keep the momentum going next week as they host the same Lafayette squad that Temple dismantled this week.
Oops, er, (checks notes). That’s actually SunBelt stalwart £ coming to town. So, on second thought, Rice’s Owls may instead be poised for another move up these rankings…

7. Southern Connecticut (0-2)
Until we can get UConn back in to these rankings (soon!) we would be remiss to not recognize the other Bottom Ten worthy excellence in the state. And I’m not talking about Central Connecticut who was schooled by UConn a couple weeks ago. I’m talking about the D2 Southern Connecticut Owls, still winless after a road loss at New Haven this week. These Owls are not yet an AAC expansion candidate, but we do need to take a close look at Kennesaw, tbh…

8. West Virginia (not Marshall) (0-2) The Mountain Ears must be getting better, this week’s collapse did not result in a regulation loss. At least they made it to overtime against Kansas. The impressive part of the loss was the 13-point margin of loss in OT. You don’t see that every day!

9. Houston Coogin-Its (1-1) speaking of OT, UH has now played 5 OTs in their first two games. If my notes are correct, UH in the last few years against Texas Tech has held leads in the first quarter (but blew it) and in another game at halftime (then blew it). I was pleased to see they took my advice this week to try playing from behind and come back to win at the end. But taking their first lead with 37 seconds left in regulation was apparently leaving too much time on the clock. Texas Tech came back to tie and then later convert a game saving 4th and 20 in the first OT. Tech then sealed the Coogin-Its’ fate once more in the 2nd OT 33-30. And they coulda been a contender!

10. SofLo B-owels (1-1) Here at the AAC Bottom Ten we have vowed to never forget the SofLo Bulls, no matter how *soft* they play nor how *low* they go in the standings. They struggled early against Howard the Duck (not Owl) but eventually got things sorted out to win 42-20. Despite the win you really have to like SofLo for their downside potential. If anyone could spoil the plans for a presumptive Navy-Temple AAC “Chumpionship” Game, it would be the Bulls from Tampa.

And keep an eye on the Bottom Ten watch list, several of whom were probably glad we pared back to ten this week…
UConn (1-2), Tulsa (1-1), CentraFlori (1-1), UAB (1-1), coloRADo sTATe (0-2), SMU (2-0), Tulane (2-0), Notre Dame (0-3), New Mexico St (0-3)

(09-11-2022 08:00 AM)owl at the moon Wrote:  You knew it had to happen some time. But this is the perfect week for it.

The All-Owl Edition of the AAC Bottom Ten!

Aresco has pulled a double coup by not only holding on tight to the conference’s flagship Owl team, but also pulling in every other team in FBS that’s ever been known as the Owls.
And as this week’s list should make clear, four things matter in realignment. Markets, Academics, Non-revenue Sports, and, mostly, mascots.

So let’s all “give a hoot” for this week’s AAC Bottom Ten!

1. Charlotte (not San Francisco) 49ers (not Owls) (0-3)
It’s been decades since UNCC was known as the Owls, but the fans still fondly remember, and it’s certainly been a great throw back year so far. Charlittle has been, at best, meh against subpar competition so far this year. Bottom Ten fans wondered if a triple-digit loss could be in the offing when the Owls (er, 49ers) hosted Maryland. Like in the stock market, the key to Bottom Ten success is to “beat expectations”. Charlotte fell just short of that, losing “only” 56-21. But we’ll keep ‘em #1 just the same as the nation’s first team to lose three games.

2. Who killed Kenny Sawstate (0-2)
With our other AAC Owls “winning” this week (albeit against lesser competition), “Hoo” could we move in to spot two? Sin-Sin’s FCS competition, that’s “Hoo”.
While the Bearkats avoided 0-2 and the Bottom Ten for another week, they exposed the porus offense and defense and special teams of the Kennesaw Owls 63-10. After losing on the road in week 1 to Samford (not Stanford), these 0-2 Owls will finally play their home opener next week hosting 0-2 Wofford. It should be a fine opportunity for a little bit of a “Sawstate Redemption”.

3. Navy Albatrosses (0-2) If you come in to the week #3 and then lose to another Bottom Ten team, then you have to hold your ground, even if it bird-poops on the all-Owl party at the top of the Charts. But birds of a feather flock together, and there was no question that the Navy Albatrosses did their very best “Owl Impersonation” with their 37-13 loss to former #9 Memphis. (Although perhaps the more precise term is “Imbirdination”?)

4. Don’t sleep in Temple (1-1)
While these Owls crossed in to the right side of the W-L ledger, they had to do it by crossing onto the Championship side of the FBS/FCS tracks. The 30-14 win at home against Lafayette sounded a lot more impressive until you realize this wasn’t Sun Belt stalwart Louisiana-Lafayette formerly known as Southwestern Louisiana and now simply known by their symbol £. It was just plain old Lafayette.

5. FAU (2-1) The Flatlantic Owls are 2-1 after whooping on South Eastern (not Western) Louisiana 42-9. That earns them the honorary 5-spot, ‘cause not only might they be ok, they are also the ONLY Owls in the nation so far with a win over an FBS opponent. As you recall, that was their impressive week zero win against the #1 Charlittle Owls.

6. Rice Rice Baby (1-1)
It was also a winning celebration for the Rice Owls home opener against (checks notes) McNeese State. Rice powered to a 52-10 win, which was a great (for Rice) win and the program’s biggest margin of victory since a 2008 dismantling of then-SunBelt stalwart North Texas 77-20.
Rice should keep the momentum going next week as they host the same Lafayette squad that Temple dismantled this week.
Oops, er, (checks notes). That’s actually SunBelt stalwart £ coming to town. So, on second thought, Rice’s Owls may instead be poised for another move up these rankings…

7. Southern Connecticut (0-2)
Until we can get UConn back in to these rankings (soon!) we would be remiss to not recognize the other Bottom Ten worthy excellence in the state. And I’m not talking about Central Connecticut who was schooled by UConn a couple weeks ago. I’m talking about the D2 Southern Connecticut Owls, still winless after a road loss at New Haven this week. These Owls are not yet an AAC expansion candidate, but we do need to take a close look at Kennesaw, tbh…

8. West Virginia (not Marshall) (0-2) The Mountain Ears must be getting better, this week’s collapse did not result in a regulation loss. At least they made it to overtime against Kansas. The impressive part of the loss was the 13-point margin of loss in OT. You don’t see that every day!

9. Houston Coogin-Its (1-1) speaking of OT, UH has now played 5 OTs in their first two games. If my notes are correct, UH in the last few years against Texas Tech has held leads in the first quarter (but blew it) and in another game at halftime (then blew it). I was pleased to see they took my advice this week to try playing from behind and come back to win at the end. But taking their first lead with 37 seconds left in regulation was apparently leaving too much time on the clock. Texas Tech came back to tie and then later convert a game saving 4th and 20 in the first OT. Tech then sealed the Coogin-Its’ fate once more in the 2nd OT 33-30. And they coulda been a contender!

10. SofLo B-owels (1-1) Here at the AAC Bottom Ten we have vowed to never forget the SofLo Bulls, no matter how *soft* they play nor how *low* they go in the standings. They struggled early against Howard the Duck (not Owl) but eventually got things sorted out to win 42-20. Despite the win you really have to like SofLo for their downside potential. If anyone could spoil the plans for a presumptive Navy-Temple AAC “Chumpionship” Game, it would be the Bulls from Tampa.

And keep an eye on the Bottom Ten watch list, several of whom were probably glad we pared back to ten this week…
UConn (1-2), Tulsa (1-1), CentraFlori (1-1), UAB (1-1), coloRADo sTATe (0-2), SMU (2-0), Tulane (2-0), Notre Dame (0-3), New Mexico St (0-3)

We ruined our chance for a perfect season when our dumb coach decided to change quarterbacks. We may end up out of the Bottom Ten altogether. I see a coach on the hot seat.

(09-11-2022 12:40 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(09-11-2022 08:00 AM)owl at the moon Wrote:  You knew it had to happen some time. But this is the perfect week for it.

The All-Owl Edition of the AAC Bottom Ten!
…

We ruined our chance for a perfect season when our dumb coach decided to change quarterbacks. We may end up out of the Bottom Ten altogether. I see a coach on the hot seat.

There are no “perfect seasons”. Just perfect mascots. Temple is in great shape in that department. Wins and losses are merely footnotes.

However as another “footnote”, here at the Bottom Ten we call it the cool seat. Your coach thinks he’s too cool for the Bottom Ten, it’s ok, we get it.

UCF(1-1) fans who may be miffed that they were passed over for this week’s chart in favor of FAU(2-1) despite their loss and scoreless second half can look for redemption Saturday Night when they travel to Boca to take on the FAUx Owls. 7:30pm kickoff in the ETZ

We’ll be on there after this week!

(09-13-2022 02:55 PM)Blazer4Life14 Wrote:  We’ll be on there after this week!

There’s no shame in losing to Georgia Southern, but if you do, legend has it your coach could get a $15 Million consolation prize! I’m not sure if it works like that everywhere though…

Wow, with the game thread blackout, here’s a list of week-three bottom ten implications games to watch.

Maybe a couple AACs will make some noise (the good kind) and this conference can come back from the dead.

(All times CT this week)

Wyoming leads Air Force 3-0 after 1Q.

UT-ASL’s OT loss might be looking a wee bit more respectable

(09-16-2022 07:36 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Wyoming leads Air Force 3-0 after 1Q.

UT-ASL’s OT loss might be looking a wee bit more respectable

Also UCF’s loss not looking as bad this Friday as Louisville staying tied with Fla State 21-21 late in the 3rd

AFA leads Wyo 14-10 early 4th

(09-16-2022 09:23 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 07:36 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Wyoming leads Air Force 3-0 after 1Q.

UT-ASL’s OT loss might be looking a wee bit more respectable

Also UCF’s loss not looking as bad this Friday as Louisville staying tied with Fla State 21-21 late in the 3rd

AFA leads Wyo 14-10 early 4th

Wyoming comes back to WIN which maybe gives Tulsa some pride. Wyo can get in to the NY6 convo next week if they can win at BYU.

And, FSU comes back to win, sorry UCF.

Q. What do Michigan and Miami (Oh) have in common?

a. Both with early noon ET starts
b. Both up 7-0 on current or former AAC teams
c. Big M logo
d. All of the Above

2nd quarter scores

Miami 17
Cincinnati 7

Michigan 24 points
UConn 16 yards (0 points btw)

(09-17-2022 12:06 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  2nd quarter scores

Miami 17
Cincinnati 7

Michigan 24 points
UConn 16 yards (0 points btw)

Cincy 31 more to come back and pull away (but not beat the spread)
UMich 35 more to keep pulling away and win huge (and even beat the spread)

WVU with 51 straight after being tied 7-7 with Towson. They’re sitting pretty now in the 4Q

Cougars allowing 28 straight points to Kansas and now trail by 14 after a weather delay

ECU trails Campbell 10-7 still in the 1Q

Temple good battle but just short of the upset vs Rutgers 16-14.

UNT gave up the last 28 points as UNLV blows open a close game down the stretch to win 58-27