Midseason Review Highlights Struggles of Several Top College Football Programs
A midseason analysis identifies Texas A&M, Penn State, Oregon, LSU, Washington, Michigan, Oklahoma, Clemson and Vanderbilt as underperforming relative to preseason expectations.
Midseason assessments show that several programs that entered the year with high expectations are now facing challenges. Texas A&M, which began the season ranked No. 8 in the AP poll, is 3–3 overall and winless in SEC play. Coach Mike Elko said the team is in a "bad spot" but remains committed to rebuilding, noting that the program has secured the nation’s top freshman class for 2027.
Penn State, preseason No. 18, sits at 2–3 and has not won a conference game. Athletic director Pat Kraft and head coach Matt Campbell have been criticized for the team’s low offensive and defensive rankings within the Big Ten.
Oregon, once a preseason top-two contender, is 3–2 and has fallen out of the Top 25. The Ducks’ early-season performance has been inconsistent, with losses to Oklahoma State and UCLA despite victories over ranked opponents.
LSU, preseason No. 11 and now ranked No. 22, is 3–2 with a 1–2 record in SEC play. Coach Lane Kiffin’s decision to punt on a fourth-and-1 in a close game against Kentucky has drawn scrutiny.
Washington, preseason No. 17, is 3–3 and winless against power-conference teams. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has struggled, and the team’s offensive line allowed six sacks in the loss to Iowa.
Michigan, preseason No. 16, is 3–2 and has failed to score 20 points in four of its first five games, relying heavily on a limited set of skill players.
Oklahoma, preseason No. 10, is 3–2 and unranked despite a recent upset of Texas. The Sooners have produced only 11 offensive touchdowns this season, with the offense yet to reach 300 yards in a game since the opener.
Clemson, unranked but receiving votes, is 3–2 and 2–1 in ACC play. The Tigers rank near the bottom nationally in touchdown passes and have struggled offensively.
Vanderbilt, also unranked but with votes, is 3–3 and 0–3 in SEC play. The Commodores have seen a decline in scoring and an increase in turnovers compared with the previous season.
Each program faces a remaining schedule that includes ranked opponents, offering opportunities to reverse their fortunes before the season’s conclusion.