The college football season’s rolling along, and some teams are flying high while others are just… not. A few squads have stumbled right out of the gate, and you can feel the pressure mounting already. Still, there’s plenty of time left—maybe not a ton, but enough—for these teams to flip the script. Here are seven college football teams with their backs against the wall and what they might do to claw their way back. Each has its own mess to sort out, from quarterback headaches to defenses that can’t stop a thing. Let’s get into it.
Clemson Tigers: Fixing Quarterback Play
Clemson started the season as preseason No. 4, but they’re unranked now, sitting at 1-2. The main problem? Quarterback Cade Klubnik. He’s hitting just 59 percent of his passes, and that drops to 53 percent if you ignore the Troy game.
For a team that talks about championships, that’s not going to cut it. Klubnik, who’s no rookie—he threw for over 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns last year—just hasn’t looked like himself.
Key Steps for Improvement
If Clemson wants to get back on track, Klubnik has to get sharper. The coaches might want to:
- Enhanced Passing Drills: Ramp up the difficulty and focus of passing drills to sharpen accuracy.
- Film Study: Spend more time breaking down tape to spot and fix those nagging mistakes.
- Game Management: Maybe simplify the playbook a bit, let Klubnik settle in, and play to his strengths.
Colorado Buffaloes: Solving the Quarterback Dilemma
Colorado’s also off to a rough 1-2 start, and, honestly, their quarterback situation’s a mess. They’ve got three guys—Ryan Staub, Kaidon Salter, and Julian Lewis—all taking snaps. Staub started against Houston but tossed two brutal picks in the fourth quarter.
Salter, who transferred in from Liberty, got the first two starts. Lewis, a five-star freshman, has already seen the field too. It’s that old saying: if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. Colorado has three. Yikes.
Steps to Resolve the Issue
To calm things down, Colorado probably needs to:
- Identify a Starter: Just pick a guy and stick with him. Consistency matters, especially for the offense.
- Quarterback Coaching: Get some targeted coaching in there—help whoever’s starting make smarter decisions and stop turning it over.
- Offensive Scheme: Build the game plan around the strengths of the starter. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Florida Gators: Reducing Turnovers
Florida started the year at No. 15 but has already dropped out of the rankings. Turnovers in tight games have been the main culprit. Quarterback DJ Lagway’s thrown five picks, and most weren’t even under pressure. That’s… not great.
Lagway tossing interceptions when he’s got time in the pocket is a real problem. It’s got to get fixed, and fast.
Actionable Solutions
To get the turnovers under control, Florida should probably:
- Quarterback Mechanics: Drill Lagway on footwork and mechanics—cleaner throws should mean fewer mistakes.
- Decision-Making: Run practice drills that simulate real game pressure and force quick, smart decisions.
- Game Plan Adjustments: Call plays that avoid high-risk throws and keep ball security front and center.
Kansas State Wildcats: Establishing the Run Game
Kansas State’s sitting at 1-3 after getting some preseason love at No. 17. Their offense just can’t get going, especially on third downs. They’re converting only 31 percent—116th out of 134 FBS teams. Not much to brag about.
The run game is sputtering, too. They’re averaging just 108 yards on the ground per game, and it shows.
Strategies for Improvement
If they’re going to right the ship, Kansas State needs to:
- Offensive Line Play: Get the O-line to tighten up their blocking—open some lanes for the backs.
- Running Back Utilization: Rotate the backs, keep them fresh, and see who can spark something.
- Play Calling: Change it up more often—keep defenses guessing, maybe open up the run game that way.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Finishing on Defense
Notre Dame’s ranked No. 24, but they’re 0-2 and it stings, especially after starting the year at No. 6. Both losses were to ranked teams, and in both, the defense gave up a game-winning drive in the final two minutes. Ouch.
With an independent schedule, Notre Dame’s got to win out if they want to salvage things.
Defensive Adjustments
To keep games from slipping away late, Notre Dame should:
- Two-Minute Drills: Drill the defense on two-minute scenarios, over and over, until it sticks.
- Defensive Communication: Make sure everyone’s talking and on the same page when it matters most.
- Situational Awareness: Teach the guys to read the moment—recognize what’s coming and react fast, especially under pressure.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Strengthening the Defense
Virginia Tech let go of head coach Brent Pry after an 0-3 start. None of those losses were in ACC play, but still. The defense has been rough, especially against the run. Old Dominion, a Sun Belt team, gashed them for 251 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
If they’re going to bounce back, the defense has to be the starting point. No way around it.
Defensive Focus Areas
Virginia Tech should zero in on:
- Run Defense: Better tackling, better gap assignments—just fundamental stuff to slow down opposing backs.
- Defensive Schemes: Tweak the schemes to fit the talent they actually have, not the talent they wish they had.
- Player Conditioning: Get the defense in better shape so they’re not gassed late in games.
UCLA Bruins: Revamping the Coaching Staff
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster after an 0-3 start. The offense, led by Nico Iamaleava, has been flat—just 10 points against Utah and New Mexico, and 23 against UNLV. The defense? It’s been rough, too. They’re dead last in third-down percentage and near the bottom in stopping the run.
Steps for a Turnaround
To improve their season, UCLA should consider a few key moves:
- Hire an Experienced Coach: Bring in a coach with a solid track record. Someone who can actually inspire and lead the team, not just shuffle the lineup.
- Offensive Overhaul: Shake up the offensive strategy. It needs to be more dynamic, less predictable—something that keeps opponents guessing.
- Defensive Focus: Go for a more aggressive defensive scheme. The goal? Disrupt opposing offenses and maybe rattle a few cages.
If you want to dig deeper into what these teams could do, check out the original article on NCAA.com.
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