NCAAF · 2 hours ago

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 6

Sammy Jacobs

Host · Writer

1. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jason Beck
- Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-2)
Michigan could and should be 1-4 on the year. Even with some luck, they still have been the biggest disappointment in the sport. Quarterback Bryce Underwood has not developed at all, and maybe a switch to true freshman Tommy Carr is in the cards.
10 Most Disappointing Teams Heading into Week 6
The midpoint of the regular season is upon us, and plenty of fan bases are left wanting more. This week, the spots are starting to fill up with Big Ten teams.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions Team Profile
- Head Coach: Matt Campbell (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Taylor Mouser
- Defensive Coordinator: D'Anton Lynn
- 2026 Record: 3-2 (0-2)
Penn State was a dark-horse pick to reach the College Football Playoff after missing all three favorites for the Big Ten title. However, they seem to regret firing James Franklin. Matt Campbell has started losing games that Franklin just didn't.
9. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Profile
- Head Coach: Bret Bielema (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Barry Lunney Jr.
- Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Hauck (resigned)
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-2)
- 2026 Standings: T 18th in the Big Ten
- Conference: Big Ten
Illinois lost to Purdue, ending the Boilermakers' two-plus-season Power Four losing streak. Defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck has already left the program, and the discourse surrounding Illinois is that the Illini fumbled the offseason bag.
8. Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mike Locksley (8th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Clint Trickett
- Defensive Coordinator: Ted Monachino
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-2)
- 2026 Standings: T- 18th in the Big Ten
It seems like it's only a matter of time before Maryland cuts ties with head coach Mike Locksley. The Terrapins didn't even get to enjoy September before an annual October collapse. A 50-point loss to UCLA probably sealed his fate.
7. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina State Team Profile
- Head Coach: Shane Beamer (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kendal Briles
- Defensive Coordinator: Clayton White
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-3)
- 2026 Standing: 16th in the SEC
Shame Beamer entered the season on the hot seat, and it has not cooled down one bit. A last-second loss at home to Kentucky is just another nail in the coffin.
6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Team Profile
- Head Coach: Greg Schiano (17th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kirk Ciarrocca
- Defensive Coordinator: Travis Johansen
- 2026 Record: 1-4 (0-2)
- 2026 Standings: T-18th in Big Ten
Rutgers has shown flashes of good play since it lost the season opener to UMass. However, they are still losing. Schiano's second stint with the Scarlet Knights may end soon.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mike Elko (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Holmon Wiggins
- Defensive Coordinator: Lyle Hemphill
- 2026 Record: 3-2
Texas A&M had high hopes of making the CFP again in 2026, but they have been largely uncompetitive against good opponents. With two losses already and a rough road ahead, their playoff hopes are already snuffed out.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Team Profile
- Head Coach: Brent Venables (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ben Arbuckle
- Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bates
- 2026 Record: 2-2 (0-1)
The Sooners look more like the 7-6 version than the 10-3 version from 2025. Quarterback John Mateer has taken a major step back.
3. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (4th Year)
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Brohm
- Defensive Coordinator: Mark Ivey, Steve Ellis
- Conference: ACC
- 2026 Record: 2-3
Louisville came into the season with Playoff hopes and even notched a "good loss" early in the year. However, the wheels have fallen off. After knocking off then-No. 16 SMU, the Cardinals have lost two in a row to Wake Forest and NC State.
2. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU Horned Frogs Team Profile
- Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Gordon Sammis
- Defensive Coordinator: Andy Avalos
- Conference: Big 12
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-2)
TCU may have been bitten by the Dublin Curse. They lost their Week 0 opener to UNC as heavy favorites. They are outscoring opponents 127-67 but have nothing to show for it other than two non-P4 wins. Maybe, just maybe, they miss Josh Hoover.
1. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jason Beck
- Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill
- 2026 Record: 2-3 (0-2)
Michigan could and should be 1-4 on the year. Even with some luck, they still have been the biggest disappointment in the sport. Quarterback Bryce Underwood has not developed at all, and maybe a switch to true freshman Tommy Carr is in the cards.
10 Most Disappointing Teams Heading into Week 6
The midpoint of the regular season is upon us, and plenty of fan bases are left wanting more. This week, the spots are starting to fill up with Big Ten teams.