College football rankings: Bottom 5 – The Orange are rotten

The ACC has two representatives in the Bottom 5 this week. 

“If someone shows you who they really are, believe them.” This maxim fits every team represented in the Bottom 5 this week. Good teams are proficient in all three phases of the game. Teams that find themselves in the Bottom 5 are not skilled in all three phases.

Teams that find themselves winless either can’t score can’t stop anyone from scoring, or a combination of all three. Every team this week fits one of three of these criteria. Syracuse has played hard on defense, but the Orange can’t score. Middle Tennessee can neither score nor stop anyone.

The college football rankings that no one wants to be a part of including a pair of ACC teams still in search of their first win this season

5. Iowa State (0-1)

Fortunately for the Cyclones, they were able to defeat the bye week. It was close, but the Cyclones squeaked it out. Iowa State has a lot to fix before their next game against TCU Sept. 26. The defense did not play poorly against Louisiana-Lafayette, but the offense needs lots of work. Quarterback Brock Purdy had one of his most subpar games as the starting quarterback of the Iowa State Cyclones with a 24.8 QBR and zero touchdowns. The game was close at halftime, but the Cyclones could not muster any offense in the second half. The passing game has to be more efficient if Iowa State wants to rebound against the Horned Frogs.

4. Duke (0-2)

Maybe Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec is that good. Jurkovec threw 300 yards leading the Boston College Eagles to a 26-6 victory against the Duke Blue Devils. Last week, it was Notre Dame’s talent that overwhelmed Duke. This week, Duke just played lousy football. They could not stop the big play defensively despite limiting the Eagles to 84 yards rushing. Chase Brice realizes that he is not throwing to Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, or Amari Rogers. The Blue Devils have no playmakers on offense. If you are going to win, you have to muster more than 16 points in two games.

3.  Syracuse (0-2)

If there is a bright spot for the Orange, it is their defense. They were only down four points at halftime against Pitt this week and four points at halftime against UNC in week 2. However, Syracuse’s defense gets gassed from being on the field so much. Pitt did everything to keep Syracuse in the game, turning the ball over and committing seven penalties. Syracuse did not have a chance against the Panthers pass rush. The Orange had six drives of four plays or less and 171 yards of offense. That will not get it done.

2. Louisiana-Monroe (0-2)

The Warhawks are scoring 12 points per game this season. Had it not been for scoring 17 points in their loss against the Texas State Bobcats, their points per game average would be significantly worse. Louisiana-Monroe scored only seven points against Army in Week 2. The fact that the ‘Hawks have surrendered 75 points in two games prove they can’t stop anyone either. Louisiana-Monroe has their conference pillow fight of the week against South Alabama on Oct. 22. Take the under in that one.

1. Middle Tennessee State (0-2)

Louisiana-Monroe is fortunate the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders exist. If they did not, the Warhawks would be first on this list. The Blue Raiders are having a tough go of it so far this season. They were maltreated in their short-notice contest against Army and were routed by Troy this week. Quarterback Asher O’Hara seems to have regressed from last season. After throwing 20 touchdown passes last season, O’Hara has yet to throw a touchdown pass. The offensive line has been abysmal this season. If things keep going this way, it’s going to be a long season in Murfreesboro.

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