The 2017 college football season feels like it just started, but we are already one quarter of the way through the schedule. Some fanbases have been filled with hope and joy, but others have already been kicked in the gut.
Here are five schools that have played below — or far below — expectations and are off to the most disappointing starts this season.
Missouri (1-2)
Nobody thought Missouri was going to have a great football team this year. What was expected was to see progress. Progress is nowhere in sight for the Tigers. They gave up 43 points in week one to Missouri State. In Week 2, they got rolled by South Carolina. Last week, they got embarrassed at home by Purdue, 35-3. Yes, Purdue.
Baylor (0-3)
We knew it would be baby steps for the Bears this year, but this has been a nightmare scenario to start the season. Baylor opened with a loss to Liberty. Then they lost to UTSA and last week they got beat by Duke, 34-20. The next three games are on the road against Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. The Bears have to be wondering when they will find the win column.
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LSU (2-1)
Ed Orgeron was a questionable offseason hire, but there is always a chance it could turn out to be a great decision. After last week’s thrashing at the hands of Nick Fitzgerald and Mississippi State, LSU fans have to be wondering what is going on with the program. Not only did LSU lose, but they suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of a divisional foe that has struggled to win big games in the SEC.
Nebraska (1-2)
After going 9-4 in his second season in Lincoln, Nebraska thought Mike Riley was on the right track. The second game of the season saw Nebraska get pounded in the first half during a 42-35 loss to Oregon. Week 3 brought a bigger issue with a loss to Northern Illinois (a team that went just 5-7 last season) on the road. At Oregon State, Riley was just 58-63 in conference games. Nebraska has to be wondering if he is the right man for their job.
Stanford (1-2)
The Cardinal were picked by many to win the Pac-12 this season. After a season-opening blowout win over Rice, Stanford was feeling was pretty good about themselves. Week 2 brought heartbreak as USC beat the trees by 18. The worst defeat was last week as Stanford went on the road and was upset by San Diego State. The season is still salvageable, but a 1-2 start is not where Stanford thought they would be at this point in the season.
Dis-Honorable Mention: Arizona State (1-2), Georgia Southern (0-2), Oregon State (1-3)
