Expectations are sometimes great. And sometimes they are just too much to deal with. These five have set themselves atop the list of the programs with the most ridiculous expectations of success.
1. Ohio State
Where else can a coach who was 48-6 heading into the weekend be one play away from a fan base looking for him to be replaced? If Ryan Day had lost to Notre Dame the firestorm of negativity would have been out of this world. This man must go 11-0, beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and then the national title to be accepted. This is perhaps the Urban Meyer effect part 2.
2. Florida
The Urban Meyer Effect Part 1 is here. Since Meyer won two national titles the expectations in Gainesville have been insane. And it’s not only on the field but off it with recruiting. Will Muschamp recruited well but couldn’t develop an offense. Jim McElwain and Dan Mullen recruited at an average level but each reached the SEC title game and were fired shortly after. Now Billy Napier faces it from the fans and boosters who revel in a win against the Vols and then complain that a win over Charlotte wasn’t impressive enough.
3. Auburn
This is the Nick Saban factor as Auburn boosters want their program to dominate the state and SEC so badly that they run coaches out of town. Gene Chizik was booed on the way in, won a natty, and was booed on the way out. Gus Malzahn really won that natty Chizik claims and got Auburn to the title game but it was never enough, and we all know what happened with Bryan Harsin. Hugh Freeze watch your back.
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4. Tennessee
Phil Fulmer was fired too soon and here we are all these years later. Derek Dooley was awful, Butch Jones has his moments but failed and Jeremy Pruitt just tried to ruin the program. It’s been bad hire after bad hire and now Josh Heupel has a great season but the fans are critical after one loss to Florida. What happens when he goes 9-4 this season? Will they call for his head? After all, Butch Jones went 9-4 twice and Pruitt was 8-5 one season.
5. Nebraska
This is about the fan base. Every season they expect some return to decency and it never happens. And some are still hoping for Tom Osborne-level dominance which will never happen again. I saw some notable talking heads like Will Compton say 9-3 is possible this season under Matt Rhule before they lost to Minnesota and got thumped by Colorado. Every year it’s the same thing. How on earth do you get 9-3 from a team that was 4-8 last season with a coach who’s been awful in past year ones?
