Is it time to panic at Michigan, USC and Oklahoma?
Oct 23, 2024
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Three college football giants face disappointing seasons: Michigan, USC, and Oklahoma. Each program's struggles are analyzed, revealing specific issues like quarterback performance and roster changes. There’s discussion on potential fixes and a long-term outlook for these teams. Klatt introduces a wild scenario where the top-ranked team could miss out on crucial championship opportunities. The competitive landscape of college football is shifting, and the pressure is on for these storied programs to adapt and improve.
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Quick takeaways
Michigan's struggles stem from a failing passing game and significant turnover issues, jeopardizing their chances for a bowl appearance.
USC's narrow losses highlight a mental hurdle that needs to be overcome to convert leads into wins for future success.
Deep dives
Current State of Michigan Football
Michigan's football team is facing significant challenges, currently sitting at a disappointing 4-3 after consecutive losses against Illinois and Washington. The quality of their passing game has plummeted, ranking 129th nationally, which highlights serious issues at the quarterback position. The team struggles with turnovers, predictability in play calling, and an inability to sustain offense, relying heavily on the run game without adequate passing support. As they look ahead, the upcoming schedule appears daunting, with games against increasingly tough opponents that may further jeopardize their hopes for a bowl appearance.
USC's Frustrating Close Games
USC is experiencing a frustrating season with a record of 3-4, often losing games by razor-thin margins despite having led in the fourth quarter. This trend of narrowly lost matches has left fans exasperated, especially after blowing four leads which ties them for the most in the country. The team finds itself stuck at a mental hurdle, needing to convert close games into wins as they continue to develop under a first-year starting quarterback and a new defensive coordinator. As they move through the rest of the season, there exists a potential for improvement if they can learn how to finish games and build momentum.
Oklahoma's Offensive Struggles Amidst Change
Oklahoma's current situation under head coach Brent Venables has been grim, marked by a lack of offensive production and a recent firing of their offensive coordinator, Seth Luttrell, citing systemic issues. The Sooners are grappling with significant injuries among key players, yet these ailments do not fully account for their poor performance, as the overall offensive scheme has been inadequate. Moving forward, the coaching changes aim to rectify these issues, as they struggle to maintain their competitive edge in the SEC environment. The immediate future looks tough with a challenging schedule ahead, suggesting that improvement may be a slow process.
Challenges Ahead for College Football Programs
As college football evolves, programs must adapt quickly to maintain competitiveness, and recent trends indicate that Michigan, USC, and Oklahoma are all at critical junctures. Each program grapples with internal and external challenges, including roster evaluations, coaching effectiveness, and how to navigate injuries while planning for future recruitment. Those needing to revamp their rosters through transfers and strategic hires might find themselves laying the groundwork for recovery during the offseason. There remains a growing belief that the landscape of college football will continue to shift dramatically as teams learn to adjust in the face of adversity.
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt evaluates 3 blue-blood programs that are in the middle of disappointing seasons: Michigan, USC and Oklahoma. Klatt walks through the current states of each team and discusses what’s gone wrong this season, how fixable the problems are and what the long-term outlook is for each program. He also gives another “Wild…but Possible” scenario that could see the #1 team in the country potentially miss out on their Conference Championship Game and a First Round bye.