For every college football team that exceeds expectations early in the season (see: Georgia and TCU), there is another that couldn't live up to the preseason hype and are disappointments. These teams fall into the latter category. Here are five college football teams that have been huge disappointments through the first part of the season:
Remember when Tennessee was supposed to have their breakout year last season? After a fast start, they faltered down the stretch as Butch Jones lost control of the locker room - and it doesn't appear that he has gotten it back. Over the last three weeks, the Vols have fallen to Florida, were nearly beaten by a winless UMass team, and then downright embarrassed in a 41-0 home loss to Georgia.
Their disappointing start certainly signals that head coach Jones is not the guy who can get this program over that hump moving forward, and it doesn't feel like Jones will keep his job after another disappointing loss. The Vols have a bye before starting a tough string of games against South Carolina, Alabama and Kentucky.
Need a new CFB podcast? Chat Sports has you covered!
The Trojans aren't out of the Pac-12 race or the College Football Playoff picture, but man, things don't look great for them right now. All of the preseason hype about USC being BACK and Sam Darnold, Heisman favorite and future No. 1 pick, seems like such a distant memory now. Maybe we should've known after they were trailing most of their opener against Western Michigan, or after struggling against both Texas and Cal, but a loss at Washington State really drove home the fact that this team has struggled through five games. Their tumble down the rankings this week came as no surprise.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56934647/856067382.0.jpg)
LSU was supposed to finally challenge Alabama for the SEC West title in the first year under Ed Orgeron. Instead, they're getting dominated at home by Troy after suffering a huge loss to Mississippi State. The Tigers now look like they may not finish in the top four in the division let alone compete for a playoff spot, and there are questions about Coach O's future with the program. This is something the Bayou Bengals need to turn around quickly.
College Football Fans - Download Chat Sports on Android today for breaking college football news, rumors, scores and more - Chat Sports iPhone App!
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56710805/usa_today_10283558.0.jpg)
Speaking of bad losses, Nebraska's home defeat to Northern Illinois was downright ugly. The Huskers knew they were going to be in for a rebuilding year, but they haven't looked good at all in their 2-2 start. Nebraska fired their athletics director for a "lack of on-field success," which means head coach Mike Riley will likely meet a similar fate if the Huskers continue to struggle.
Flashback to the start of the season when Oklahoma State and quarterback Mason Rudolph were the sexy underdog picks to make the College Football Playoff and win the Heisman, respectively.
Now, flashback just two weeks ago when the Cowboys were a top-6 team and Rudolph was the Heisman favorite.
Funny how all of that can change after a loss.
Oklahoma State's 44-31 home loss to TCU not only took them out of the national conversation, but it put them as the No. 3 team in the Big 12 - well below where the lofty expectations were set for this group. There's still time for them to rebound - beating Oklahoma would help - but it doesn't look good for them right now.
Check out our NCAA page for all the latest college football news!
Back to the NCAA Newsfeed