During the college football offseason, people predict the best teams for the new season based on the previous season’s results, possible coaching changes, players graduating, recruits coming in from high school, or players coming in and out through the transfer portal. Some teams receive a high preseason ranking every year but don’t do as well as predicted. This year multiple teams fit that category. My top 5 most disappointing teams opened the year in the AP Top 25.
At Number 5 is the Michigan Wolverines. The defending national champions had a preseason ranking of #9 but finished just 7-5 and 5-4 in the Big 10. While the Wolverines couldn’t replicate their 2023-24 season I wouldn’t call it a complete disappointment as they still managed to be bowl eligible and defeated their rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes.
At Number 4 is the USC Trojans. After ending last season on a high note with a 42-28 bowl game win in their last game as a member of the Pac-12 before making the move to the Big10, the Trojans entered the preseason with a ranking of #23. That ranking looked good as they opened up the season with a statement win against preseason #13 the LSU Tigers. Following a 2-0 start the boys in Cardinal and Gold went just 4-6 which barely qualified them for a bowl game.
At Number 3 is the Utah Utes, who finished last year 8-5 in their final season in the Pac-12. With a preseason ranking of #12 and entering their first season in the Big 12, the Utes went just 5-7, with all 7 losses coming in conference play. This is a major disappointment for all Utes fans who thought they were going to see a playoff push.
At Number 2 is the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Coming into the season they held the #17 spot in the preseason rankings and were led by, at the time, potential Heisman contender Ollie Gordon. The Cowboys ended this season last in the Big 12 going 0-9 in conference play with Gordon recording almost 1,000 fewer rushing yards than last season.
At Number 1 is the Florida State Seminoles. After a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season where the Seminoles went 13-0 and didn’t get selected for the playoffs, they had an opportunity to prove the committee wrong with the expansion of the College Football Playoff. Holding the #10 spot in the preseason rankings it looked like the Seminoles would be hungry all year and make the CFP, but the Seminoles went a disastrous 2-10 on the year. After such a bad year and being the laughing stock of not just the ACC but all of college football, Florida State will look to bounce back next year.