The preseason top 25 ranked college football teams – Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma and USC – have all stumbled dramatically halfway through the season. All four are currently placed outside the top 25 and have at least three losses in the first eight weeks. Notably, Florida State has suffered most, resting at 1-6 after the initial stages of the season.
Ahead of the “Big Noon Kickoff” between Nebraska and No. 4 Ohio State, expectation is high for the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, to change his strategy after a challenging game against Oregon. Ohio State’s pass rushers, despite being highly ranked, have underperformed, hindering the team’s progress. On the flip side, the Huskers need to demonstrate resilience following their defeat to Indiana and their 26-game losing streak against top-25 opponents.
Steve Sarkisian, the Texas head coach, took the calculated risk of benching Quinn Ewers for Arch Manning during their loss against Georgia. Although the decision didn’t pay off, it does reflect his willingness to experiment to gain a competitive edge. Although Manning brings more mobility and a stronger arm, Ewers remains the safer choice due to his experience and leadership. It’s in these high-pressure moments that their differences become evident, Ewers maintaining a tidier record under pressure.
Florida State, Michigan, USC and Oklahoma have traditionally been top college football brands, but their collective record of 12-16 has raised eyebrows. The USC Trojans’ performance has been particularly disappointing, especially since Lincoln Riley’s appointment as head coach. The Trojans paid a significant sum to secure Riley from Oklahoma, making him the fourth-highest paid coach in the sport, but his tenure has so far underwhelmed, with USC sitting at 3-4 halfway through the season.
For Michigan, not adding a transfer quarterback ahead of the season has proven to be a critical error by head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell. Florida State’s recruitment strategy has also proven ineffective as they struggle to replace their high-profile draft losses. Although USC is still adjusting to their new league, their results have been further marred by puzzling coaching decisions and injuries. Oklahoma lost one of the country’s top quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and has seen another program rise to No. 1 as a result.
Overall, it’s been a bumpy ride for all four teams. However, there’s still half a season left to turn their fortunes around.
