Every college football season brings certain expectations for big-time programs. New recruits, promising transfers and flashy coaching hires excite fan bases -- and sometimes those expectations hit. We knew the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs' defense had a chance to be legendary. It was, and it led the team to a national championship. We also expected this season's Ohio State Buckeyes to be great offensively and the Michigan Wolverines to be dominant in the run game.
But some teams do fall well short of expectations, leaving us wondering why much-hyped units can't get it done with stars at multiple positions and once-intriguing schemes in place. Which early disappointments stand out this season in college football? We zeroed in on four struggling units. What is broken for each of the four -- e.g., Oklahoma's lackluster defense -- and how it can be fixed? Plus, what are the 2023 NFL draft implications for each unit's struggles?
Jump to:
Miami | Oklahoma
Texas A&M | Arkansas
Miami Hurricanes' offense
What's broken? The Hurricanes hired away coach Mario Cristobal from Oregon with the idea he would bring a tough, innovative offense after shaping quarterback Justin Herbert and offensive tackle Penei Sewell into top-10 draft picks for the Ducks. That hasn't happened yet, as Miami is averaging 32.8 points per game, 46th best in the nation. And while the Hurricanes are putting together 466.6 yards per game (22nd), it isn't translating to points on the field -- or wins for the 2-3 squad. (It's worth noting that those numbers are pushed up by a 70-point showing in Week 1 against Bethune-Cookman, too.)
The offensive struggles weren't expected but are logical since Cristobal has implemented a complete change to the Miami offensive scheme. His players are learning a completely new offense under a new coaching staff. It takes time, but the results have been worrisome. The rush game has averaged only 4.0 yards per carry, and the offense as a whole has just 20 plays that have gone for 20-plus yards (tied for 108th in the country).
Can it be fixed? The issues in Miami are certainly fixable, but it's likely a 2023 solve rather than an immediate one. Left tackle Zion Nelson has missed time due to injury and has struggled when he's on the field. That's obviously hurting the Miami offensive line and putting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke under pressure.
This new scheme has also asked Van Dyke to do more classic pocket play, which is hard with a bad offensive line. Simply put, Miami has a talent problem up front. Cristobal cut his teeth as an offensive line coach, and he needs to build a wall there. Miami does have freshman tackles Matthew McCoy and Anez Cooper, who will be key players as the Hurricanes retool the line. Recruits Francis Mauigoa, Antonio Tripp and Connor Lew are also projected to join the team in 2023.
Who is the draft prospect most affected? Tyler Van Dyke, QB. He had some first-round buzz heading into the season, but that has largely quieted after a tough start, and Van Dyke was even benched in Week 5 against Middle Tennessee after throwing two interceptions. The 6-foot-4 sophomore had a nice bounce-back game in the Week 6 loss to North Carolina, but talk of Cristobal's offense propelling Van Dyke's stock has quieted. Right now the focus for the QB is just on keeping the starting job.
Oklahoma Sooners' defense
What's broken? When former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was hired as head coach to replace Lincoln Riley, there was an expectation that the Sooners' defense would improve. It hasn't, and a lopsided 49-0 loss to Texas in the Red River Showdown was evidence of that. The Sooners have lost three straight games and surrendered at least 40 points in each of those contests.
To date this season, Oklahoma has just 14 sacks and four interceptions. It isn't getting to the quarterback or creating turnovers. Until a consistent presence arises at edge rusher and/or cornerback, things could look bleak in Norman. Riley didn't leave the cupboard particularly full on either side of the ball, but it's a total rebuild on defense for Venables.
Can it be fixed? As with Cristobal and Miami, Venables needs time to acclimate players to his scheme -- but he also needs time to recruit the type of players he had at Clemson. A quick look at his former team's defensive line shows five legitimate prospects with NFL starter traits, including likely top-15 draft selections in defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and edge rusher Myles Murphy. Oklahoma lacks that talent up front.
Now, finding the Bresee- and Murphy-caliber prospects in the recruiting world and convincing them to join a program that lacks recent defensive prowess is beautifully simple in theory but very hard to actually execute. Venables and his staff must identify recruits who can not only play early but also bring an edge that is currently missing on defense. Already in the system, five-star edge rusher recruit Adepoju Adebawore and four-star safety Makari Vickers are key building blocks.
Who is the draft prospect most affected? Jalen Redmond, DT. He had quite the hype headed into the season, as scouts thought his skill set might blend well with Venables' scheme and potentially push the 6-foot-3, 298-pounder into Round 1. But Redmond has just one sack and nine pressures through six games. He is currently looking more like a mid-Day 2 prospect.
Quinn Ewers connects for four touchdowns in Texas' 49-0 win over Oklahoma.
Texas A&M Aggies' offense
What's broken? Coach Jimbo Fisher is hailed as an offensive guru for his work at Florida State and, to some extent, the early results during his tenure at Texas A&M. But right now, the on-field product does not match the hype for either the coach, the scheme or the roster. Texas A&M is averaging just 21.5 points per game (109th in the FBS) and has a paltry 8-to-5 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio.
The pressure is on for Fisher to find an answer at quarterback. Haynes King and Max Johnson have combined for a 58.8% completion percentage and are averaging just 7.0 yards per completion. A rebuilt offensive line is partly to blame for the struggles, but it starts at quarterback in this very complex offense. Fisher needs a savvy, experienced passer behind center in his scheme, and that's missing. The Aggies' 50.2 QBR is 86th in the nation and ahead of just South Carolina and Auburn in the SEC.
Can it be fixed? The Aggies are on their second quarterback this season after Johnson was benched and then injured, and King has not been effective enough as his replacement. Fisher's offenses in the past were dominant when he had an efficient, veteran quarterback like Jameis Winston or Christian Ponder. The scheme is limited by the talent and experience at the most important position. Simplifying it until a quarterback emerges and gains experience is a logical fix, but will Fisher do it?
As for the QB, true freshman Conner Weigman was a five-star recruit coming out of Cypress, Texas, and is seen as the future at the position for the Aggies. Time will tell if he's the consistent player whom Fisher needs to build his offense around, but there are high hopes for him in 2023.
Who is the draft prospect most affected? Devon Achane, RB. With wide receiver Ainias Smith out for the season with a leg injury, the dynamic dual-threat back is the team's best offensive playmaker. But opposing defenses know the Aggies can't throw to win, and they're keying on the run. That's obviously limiting -- to a degree -- what the elusive Achane can do each weekend. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has 19 catches in the pass game. He's currently my RB5 in the class and a potential third-rounder.
Arkansas Razorbacks' defense
What's broken? The Arkansas defense has been a catastrophe this season. It's the 11th-worst unit in the nation in yards allowed (455 per game) and 12th-worst in yards allowed per play (6.5). And while the unit is limiting teams to an average of 32.2 points, the 3-3 Razorbacks have failed to live up to preseason hype.
Yes, we should note they've faced perhaps the hardest schedule in the SEC, and four of their six opponents have been ranked teams. But the defense has been a weakness even in the close contests, including a 23-21 loss to Texas A&M. After allowing 40-plus points in back-to-back games, defensive coordinator Barry Odom's group is under fire to get better.
Despite star power at safety and linebacker this year, the defense has been way too susceptible through the air. The Razorbacks are allowing 7.4 yards per dropback (17th highest in the country), and 54.3% of opponent completions are going for at least 10 yards (11th most).
Can it be fixed? Injuries have affected the Arkansas defense -- safety Jalen Catalon underwent shoulder surgery -- but we've also yet to see players step up in key spots. The secondary has been plagued by inconsistent play, as Arkansas has just three interceptions. Despite 21 sacks, we haven't seen the Razorbacks shut down any opposing passing attack.
So what's the fix? Simply developing more talent. Odom has been a mastermind throughout his career at finding pass-rush production. Now he has to shore up his secondary while continuing to find stars like linebacker Drew Sanders and sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Domineck. Help is on the way with four-star cornerback Jaylon Braxton, but the Arkansas recruiting class in 2023 is notably thin on top defensive players. It's an area to watch in the upcoming transfer portal window.
Who is the draft prospect most affected? Bumper Pool, LB. Sanders has been terrific, so the team's struggles aren't necessarily reflecting individually on the players. However, they have kept many prospects from emerging as they might have otherwise. Pool is one of those players. He's a super-active tackler with great field vision, and he is looking like a Day 3 pick.