By Mark Pszonak
As we roll into mid-October, there is more than enough sample size to determine which teams are truly disappointing. And while there are many, here are the ten that top the list:
Florida State
To nobody’s surprise, Florida State tops this list. And it tops this list even though I thought Top 10 preseason expectations were exaggerated. However, at 1-5 and with the only guaranteed win remaining being Charleston Southern, this has the potential to be a historically depressing season in Tallahassee.
Michigan
The honeymoon is still going strong a season after winning the National Championship, but everything has the potential to quickly derail for the 4-2 Wolverines over the last six weeks. With zero threat of a passing game, there are numerous dangerous games approaching (Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State). How would Michigan fans feel about a 6-6 or 7-5 season?
Oklahoma
Yes, the Sooners are 4-2, but it is a very ugly 4-2. The offense has struggled consistently and with no signs of improvement coming, the remaining five SEC games will all be a challenge. This isn’t the SEC inauguration that Oklahoma was hoping for.
Kansas
One of the preseason favorites to win the Big 12 and make a run to the playoffs, the Jayhawks are currently 1-5 and unlikely to make a bowl. Their one win came against Lindenwood and while their five losses have been by an average of 5.8 points, this isn’t what Jayhawk fans were expecting.
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NC State
This is a confusing one for me. Dave Doeren is a good coach, the defense returned most of their important players, several nice pieces were added to an offense that needed help via the portal, and yet the Wolfpack are 3-4 after a home loss to Syracuse. Currently without a win against a P4 team, it will be a struggle for NC State to even qualify for a bowl this season.
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys seemed to be sailing along after a 3-0 start, but now with three straight losses there are serious concerns in Stillwater. Quarterback Alan Bowman isn’t the answer and more surprisingly, All-American running back Ollie Gordon is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry. And things don’t get easier with a trip to #13 BYU this Friday night.
Ole Miss
This was supposed to be THE season for the Rebels, but instead they are 5-2 after losing two of their last three games. More importantly, Ole Miss is now 1-2 in the SEC, which makes a trip to playoffs highly unlikely, especially with a game against Georgia still coming. I still think the Rebels have the skill and potential to win out, but for now they aren’t in the position they thought they’d be.
Utah
Coming off an 8-5 season that was ravaged by injuries, the Utes were hoping for a smoother experience in 2024. That hasn’t been the case as they are now 1-2 in their first season in the Big 12 after consecutive losses to Arizona and Arizona State. Without QB Cam Rising being 100% healthy and BYU and Iowa State still on the schedule, this has the potential to be a second straight disappointing season in Salt Lake City.
USC
This season looked different after two weeks after wins over LSU and Utah State. The defense was finally better, and QB Miller Moss impressed. Since then, the Trojans have lost 3 of 4 and are 1-3 in their first season in the Big Ten. And most frustrating for USC fans, the defense once again is getting pushed around.
Kentucky
While the Wildcats weren’t in the preseason Top 25 or a contender for the SEC title, there was a good amount of buzz around Lexington regarding transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff, the passing attack and the defense. But now after a home loss to Vanderbilt, the Wildcats are 3-3 and have more questions than answers.
