MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football is No. 5 on a USA Today list of the 25 lowest-rated Football Bowl Subdivision teams, based on Jeff Sagarin’s computer ratings, published this week ahead of the Jaguars’ trip to No. 23 Mississippi State.
The story, titled “Walk of Shame: The Worst 25 FBS Schools Right Now,” drew the bottom 25 FBS programs from the Sagarin ratings. On the list, No. 1 represents the lowest-rated team.
About the Sagarin Ratings
Sagarin has produced college football power ratings for USA Today since 1985. His ratings cover roughly 245 FBS and Football Championship Subdivision programs, and his computer rankings are one of the components of the Bowl Championship Series formula.
South Alabama has appeared in the Sagarin ratings for the past couple of seasons.
Sun Belt and In-State Teams on the List
South Alabama is one of two teams from Alabama in the ranking, along with UAB at No. 12.
Four other current Sun Belt Conference members appear: Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee State, Florida International and defending league champion Arkansas State. Texas State, a future Sun Belt member, is also included. South Alabama is scheduled to play all four of the current Sun Belt teams on the list this season.
Texas-San Antonio, which beat South Alabama in the Jaguars’ season opener, is ranked one spot below the Jaguars at No. 4.
The Full List
- 1. UMass
- 2. Memphis
- 3. Florida Atlantic
- 4. Texas-San Antonio
- 5. South Alabama
- 6. Eastern Michigan
- 7. Akron
- 8. Tulane
- 9. Colorado
- 10. New Mexico
- 11. Texas State
- 12. UAB
- 13. Central Michigan
- 14. Idaho
- 15. UNLV
- 16. Colorado State
- 17. Buffalo
- 18. Kent State
- 19. Army
- 20. New Mexico State
- 21. Middle Tennessee State
- 22. Florida International
- 23. Miami (Ohio)
- 24. Houston
- 25. Arkansas State
Mississippi State Up Next
South Alabama travels to Starkville, Miss., on Saturday to face Mississippi State. It will be the Jaguars’ first game against a Southeastern Conference opponent and their first against a nationally ranked team. South Alabama is coached by Joey Jones.
