Clemson, USC, and More Disappointing Teams Thus Far This Season
By Luke Brumm
We took a look at some disappointing teams a couple of weeks ago, and today, I'm going to add to this list. Some of these teams might not be having a terrible season, but they are nowhere near expectations.
Clemson Tigers
It almost seems like Dabo Swinney and Clemson have been on a downward spiral ever since 2021 began. This is not the same program that went head-to-head with Nick Saban and Alabama throughout the 2010s. With their lackluster QB play and Swinney's inability to adapt to NIL and the transfer portal, things are not looking good for the Tigers. They currently sit at 4-4 on the season and have a big game coming up vs number 12 Notre Dame this weekend. Clemson could be under .500 in November for the first time since 2010. It's even beginning to affect Dabo off the field.
USC Trojans
USC is 7-2 right now, which obviously isn't bad, but they were the Pac-12 frontrunner and were in a lot of people's CFP predictions preseason. Those dreams seem all but done now, as they have lost to both Notre Dame and Utah. QB Caleb Williams has been underwhelming and is no longer in any serious Heisman talks. Lincoln Riley has still failed to find a defense. Even their wins look bad. A 48-41 win vs Colorado, a 43-41 3OT win vs Arizona, and most recently, a 50-49 win vs mighty Cal. They have fifth-ranked Washington this weekend, and that could easily be their third loss.
Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) reacts in the closing minutes of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20.
© Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
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Pittsburgh Panthers
Pat Narduzzi and Pitt are en route to their worst record since the turn of the century. They are 2-6 and have Florida State this weekend, so it might as well read 2-7. Needless to say, this year hasn't gone as expected, their lone bright spot being their upset win over previously undefeated Louisville. They remain the Cardinal's lone loss of 2023. I will be at their game on Saturday vs the Seminoles, so I hope they can keep in close, for my sake and theirs.
Oct 1, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi reacts on the sidelines against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter Georgia Tech won 26-21.at Acrisure Stadium.
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech Red Raiders
There was a group of people, me included, that expected something this season from Texas Tech. Not an undefeated, TCU-like playoff run. But maybe a nice nine or ten-win season. They are currently nowhere close to that at 3-5. Joey McGuire won a lot of people over during late last season and over the offseason. Could he be a fluke, or could this season be a fluke?
Texas Tech's head coach Joey McGuire calls for a timeout against Oklahoma in their last Big 12 home football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, Jones AT&T Stadium.
© Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats had a coaching change at the worst possible time. Arguably, their best coach in school history leaves for Wisconsin as soon as they make the jump to the Power Five level. They are 2-6 on the season and 0-5 in conference games. All four newcomers to the Big 12 have losing records in conference, and BYU is the only one with a winning record overall. The four schools are a combined 3-17 in conference play so far in 2023. Either Cincy or UCF will get their first Big 12 win this Saturday as they face each other.
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner (21) Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Emory Jones (5) and Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Dee Wiggins (2), wait for a play call in the first quarter during a college football game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
