Falls from glory are magnificent for rival fans of once great powerhouses. The Florida and Georgia rivalry meant so much more when Florida was a title contender. How about the iron Bowl when Auburn and Alabama were both ranked?
Every year, teams that were great last year, are terrible the following year. Here are 10 Ranked College Football Teams That Will Be Terrible Next Year.
10. Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are coming off of what many consider a disappointing season, despite finishing as the 20th ranked team according to the AP poll. The Tigers were 4-4 in conference play in 2023, but conference realignment has brought new opponents for Clemson to overcome. The team did not have a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver on offense in 2023, and the defense is losing eleven players to the NFL draft; in addition to Will Shipley, who is a cornerstone of the team’s offense. Clemson has some rebuilding to do, and it won’t happen in 2023.
9. Iowa Hawkeyes
Someone please explain how the Iowa Hawkeyes, who had the second worst offense in FBS last year still ended with a 10-4 record. The defense held opponents to under twenty points ten times, and all of those games were victories for Iowa. The offense however was absolutely atrocious and was shut out three times. In fact, the offense only scored more that 25 points twice in 2023. Conference realignment has given the Hawkeyes a difficult conference schedule with high powered offenses in 2024. It would be surprising to see the team make a bowl game in 2024, let alone finished with a ranking.
8. SMU
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SMU is moving to the ACC in 2024, and the Mustangs are in for a rough ride. Southern Methodist University went undefeated in conference play in 2023, but every game against an opponent in a power five conference resulted in a loss. Just saying, history is not on their side.
7. NC State
The NC State wolfpack is a confusing team on paper. Leading passer Brennan Armstrong failed to throw for 2,000 yards in 2023, and he only complied eleven touchdowns to seven interceptions. MJ Morris threw for 719 yards and had a touchdown to interception ratio of 7:5. Armstrong was also the team’s leading rusher with only 665 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. But Junior running back Delbert Mimms had 282 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The defense, however, did compile 24 takeaways and 32 sacks in 2023; but their leading defender, Payton Wilson used up all remaining eligibility. Wilson is not the only player leaving the Wolfpack, and the team will not be able to compete as strongly in the ACC in 2024.
6. Tennessee
The transfer portal is hurting Tennessee in 2024, as the team is losing 16 recruits ranked three-stars or above. The team’s leading rusher, Jaylen Wright is declaring for the NFL Draft, and the team is also losing starting quarterback, Joe Milton. With their starting rusher and passer gone the team will need to find a new identity on offense. The team is also losing multiple defenders to the NFL Draft, along with their starting tight end. All in all, this team is losing too many key pieces to seriously compete in the SEC next year.
5. Louisville
Another team losing their starting quarterback and running back is the Louisville Cardinals. Both their top passer and rusher have declared for the NFL Draft, in addition to Jamari Thrash, the team’s leading receiver. With the big three on offense leaving for the Draft, the team looks average at best, which is how many fans would have described the team anyway in 2023.
4. Notre Dame
It was a disappointing season for the University of Notre Dame, as many predicted the Fighting Irish to be a playoff contender; and Sam Hartman as a Heisman frontrunner. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, that wasn’t the case as the team finished with a 10-3 record. In terms of points scored the Fighting Irish had the seventh best offense and defense in the nation. All in all, the Fighting Irish missed their window for national title contention.
3. Kansas
The nine-win season for the Jayhawks is the best season in 16 years, and the first time the team has been ranked since 2007. Kansas finished the 2023 season ranked 23rd in the AP Poll. This is a team that went 5-4 in conference play, and with realignment adding ASU, Utah, and Colorado to the Big 12 conference; the Jayhawks 2023 season may can be recognized as a fluke.
2. Oklahoma State
The Oklahoma State Cowboys finished 16th in the AP Poll after a 10-4 season. The Cowboys had a very inconsistent season, with losses to South Alabama, and UCF. Both teams barely made a bowl game in 2023. But where it gets weird is where the team had two ranked wins, against 23 Kansas, and number 10 Oklahoma. Inconsistency does not lead to sustained success in college football, and the Cowboys will learn that the hard way in 2024.
1. Washington
The University of Washington lost Their starting quarterback, Michael Penix, receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan to the NFL Draft. Left tackle Troy Fautanu declared as well. Starting running back Dillon Johnson is yet to declare, but many analysts believe he will. The main takeaway is that the offense is losing most of their key players, which in a Big 10 conference known for defensive blood baths will be detrimental to a previously offensive juggernaut; leaving the Huskies without a personality on the field.
