Report: football earns spot on list of 25 worst teams this season

Central Michigan found itself ranked No. 13 on a list of FBS football programs released Wednesday by USA Today.

Unfortunately for the Chippewas, the list created by Jeff Sagarin was titled, “The worst 25 FBS schools right now.“

Sagarin uses a mathematical system to rank sports teams for a multitude of leagues, including the NCAA, which uses his rankings in its BCS formula. He has provided rankings to USA Today since 1985.

CMU (1-1) is ranked 144 among all football teams in the nation, three weeks into the 2012 season, according to the list.

The Chippewas kicked off their season with a 38-27 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Aug. 30. Junior running back Zurlon Tipton carried the team to a comeback win, rushing for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

Week two didn’t end as bright for CMU, getting crushed by Michigan State 41-7 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The heavily anticipated matchup built-up quite the hype – a tempo the Chippewas couldn’t keep up.

Quarterback Ryan Radcliff completed 17 of his 38 passes, recording 173 yards and two interceptions against the Spartans. Although CMU had a bye during week three, the junior ranks 12th in the Mid-American Conference in passer rating and 13th in passing yards.

The Chippewas aren’t the lone MAC team on Sagarin’s list.

Massachusetts earned the top spot on the list of 25 worst FBS schools, while Eastern Michigan and Akron earned themselves the sixth and seventh rankings.

Buffalo, Kent State and Miami (OH) find themselves ranked 17th, 18th and 23rd on the ‘Walk of Shame’ as well.

CMU will be back in action at noon on Saturday when it heads to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1).