The Bottom 10 inspirational thought of the week:



I am brave.

Rollercoasters? Love 'em.

Scary movies? I've seen Ghostbusters like seven times.

I regularly drive through neighborhoods that have only recently been gentrified.

So, yeah, I'm pretty much not afraid of anything.

Except clowns. Never shared that with the fam, so shhhh ...

I do have an image to maintain."



-- Phil Dunphy, "Modern Family"

Phil Dunphy is the bravest man on television. At least he is in his own head.

The lovable loser on the hit TV show "Modern Family" proves that having the heart of a champion can be achieved with a healthy dose of self-belief and just a touch of self-delusion.

The show took home an Emmy Sunday night for best comedy series and begins a new season Wednesday night.

The Bottom 10's season is well under way, complete with new comedy, drama and dysfunction each week. This week, we're honoring our own ensemble with Bottom 10 distinction.

The MAC, so often cast in the role of lovable loser, flipped the script Saturday, scoring BCS upsets from Central Michigan, Ball State, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. Their victims -- Iowa, USF, UConn and Kansas, respectively -- combined to earn this week's coveted No. 5 spot.

That's not all the Bottom 10 is cooking up this week. Looking for comedy? "Modern Family" writers don't have anything on the unscripted tour de force that is a John L. Smith news conference. The Hogs' descent into madness continued with another home loss, this time to Rutgers.

You want suspense? Wyoming's leading man, Brett Smith, returned from injury to toss five TDs passes in an OT win over Idaho, sparing the Cowboys another week in the Bottom 10.

Last week's No. 1, Colorado, scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to shock Washington State for its first win of the season.

"Never question the heart of a Buffalo," Jon Embree warned after the game.

We won't, Coach, for this week at least. For now, the Bottom 10 will have to settle for Colorado State, which followed its Week 1 win over the Buffs with losses to two teams from the WAC and an FCS opponent.

New Mexico State and Florida Atlantic also take their Bottom 10 bows this week. The Owls strayed from the script in the lead-up to their visit to Alabama, drawing the Tide's ire.

FAU can make it a short stay. The Owls face North Texas in this week's Pillow Fight of the week.

With apologies to Steve Harvey and all the following Emmy-nominated shows, here is this week's Bottom 10:

Waiting list: Akron (1-3); Army (0-3); Bowling Green (1-3); Florida International (1-3); Houston (0-3); North Texas (1-3); South Alabama (1-3); Southern Miss (0-3); Tulane (0-3); UAB (0-3).

Conor Nevins is a college football editor for ESPN.com.