Hilltoppers stand at bottom
It isn’t easy to lose to a team with a 3-8 record. But Western Kentucky pulled off that feat in dramatic fashion, blowing a 20-3 third-quarter lead to fall 20-24 to Arkansas State.
The Hilltoppers (0-12) of Bowling Green thus chalked up their 20th consecutive setback, the longest losing streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision, whatever that is.
And, most important, wacky WKU captured the Bottom Ten title.
Lowlights of the season included three games in which WKU gave up more than 60 points, including 68 to No. 5 North Texas, a team that finished 2-10.
No. 2 Eastern Michigan (0-12), which completed its season a week early at the request of fans and alumni, could only stand by helplessly and watch its chance for gridiron immortality fade away.
No. 11 Notre Dame (6-6) ended with four straight losses – and thoughts of what might have been in the Bottom Ten race had they managed to fall apart earlier.
Fans of the Frightened Irish have this consolation: There’s always next year!
| Wreck | W-L | Last week | Bowl |
| 1. Western Kentucky | 0-12 | 20-24, Arkansas St. | None |
| 2. Eastern Michigan | 0-12 | Idle | None |
| 3. Washington State | 1-11 | Idle | None |
| 4. Miami (Ohio) | 1-11 | Idle | None |
| 5. North Texas | 2-10 | Idle | None |
| 6. Rice | 2-10 | Idle | None |
| 7. New Mexico | 1-11 | Idle | None |
| 8. Florida International | 3-9 | 21-28, Florida Atlantic | None |
| 9. Kansas | 5-7 | Idle | None |
| 10. Michigan | 5-7 | Idle | None |
11. Notre Dame (0 for November, December); 12. Maryland (2-10); 13. Ball State (2-10); 14. San Jose State (2-10); 15. Ill (3-9); 16. Akron (3-9); 17. Memphis (2-10); 18. New Mexico State (3-9); 19. Unavailable; 20. Arkansas State (4-8).
Bowl outrage: It’s unconscionable that USC had to settle for an Emerald Bowl invitation. The Trojans belong in the Poinsettia Bowl with their flower-house offense.