In the world of college football, there’s a pretty big gap between just underperforming and being stuck in what some call college football hell. That phrase isn’t thrown around for fun—it’s about relentless frustration, where hope feels far off and nobody really knows what’s coming next.
The 2026 offseason has put a spotlight on eight Power Conference programs trapped in this rut. From coaches with expensive contracts who aren’t delivering, to teams that just can’t get it together, these programs are begging for something—anything—to change.
Let’s look at these struggling teams and the messes they’re in.
Arkansas Razorbacks: A New Coach, Same Old Struggles
Arkansas brought in Ryan Silverfield to try and move past those ugly 2-10 seasons. Yet, no first-year coach has gotten them to a bowl game in the 21st century, and honestly, fans aren’t holding their breath.
Silverfield’s arrival didn’t exactly set off fireworks, and the transfer portal class hasn’t wowed anyone. Even the athletic director, Hunter Yurachek, admitted their NIL game isn’t up to the level needed to win big.
Key Issues
- Non-splashy hire in Ryan Silverfield
- Underwhelming transfer portal class
- NIL efforts not up to par
Cincinnati Bearcats: From Playoff Contenders to Struggling
Remember when Cincinnati was the first Group of 5 team to make the Playoff? That feels like a lifetime ago. Now, under Scott Satterfield, they’re just trying to keep their heads above water.
They improved a bit, but then lost their promising quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, to Texas Tech. Satterfield fired both coordinators, and the transfer portal class didn’t impress—it’s tough to see a clear path forward here.
Key Issues
- Loss of promising QB Brendan Sorsby
- Firing of both coordinators
- Underwhelming transfer portal class
Clemson Tigers: The Dabo Swinney Dilemma
Clemson’s recent slide is hard to ignore, and a lot of it falls on Dabo Swinney. His refusal to adapt, like hiring Chad Morris to run the offense, has left fans scratching their heads.
They started with a ton of returning talent but still couldn’t notch eight wins. With Swinney’s huge buyout hanging over everything, fans are left clinging to old glory while quietly worrying the game might’ve passed their coach by.
Key Issues
- Hiring of Chad Morris
- Underperformance despite high returning production
- Massive buyout for Dabo Swinney
Florida State Seminoles: A Burning Hot Mess
With Mike Norvell at the helm, Florida State has had more seasons without bowl games than with them. They started 2025 with a big win over Alabama, but it all fell apart in a 5-7 finish.
Special teams mistakes and ugly late-game decisions have fans on edge. Watching Miami make a run to the national championship just pours salt in the wound.
Key Issues
- More seasons without bowl berths than with
- Special teams miscues and late-game failures
- Watching rivals succeed
Mississippi State Bulldogs: A Stark Reality
Since the Mike Leach days, Mississippi State hasn’t managed a home SEC win—not one. Now, under Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs are 7-18 heading into Year 3.
They brought back Zach Arnett to run the defense, which is interesting, but fans are still stuck thinking about missed chances and how well Ole Miss is doing. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Key Issues
- No home SEC wins since 2022
- Disappointing record under Jeff Lebby
- Success of rivals like Ole Miss
Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Matt Rhule Conundrum
Matt Rhule’s time at Nebraska has been rocky, to put it mildly. Three years in, they still haven’t beaten an AP Top 25 team, and losing QB1 Dylan Raiola stings.
Rhule’s contract got extended to keep him from leaving for Penn State, and now it runs through 2032. That buyout? It’s enormous.
Key Issues
- No wins against AP Top 25 teams
- Loss of QB1 Dylan Raiola
- Massive contract extension
North Carolina Tar Heels: The Belichick Experiment
Bill Belichick’s jump to college coaching? It’s been rough. UNC finished 4-8, beating only the weakest opponents, and off-field drama hasn’t helped.
Some folks hoped he’d bolt back to the NFL, but that hasn’t happened. Now they’re stuck with a legendary coach who just isn’t getting it done.
Key Issues
- Disastrous 4-8 season
- Off-field distractions
- Unlikely NFL return for Belichick
Wisconsin Badgers: From Slam-Dunk Hire to Despair
Luke Fickell was supposed to be the answer for Wisconsin, but things have gone south fast. Missing bowl games back-to-back and no clear identity on the field—it’s not what anyone expected.
Even with more resources, their transfer portal class is near the bottom. Fan support has faded, and these days Camp Randall feels like a shadow of what it used to be.
Key Issues
- Consecutive missed bowl games
- Lack of team identity
- Low-ranking transfer portal class
For these eight programs, the 2026 offseason feels like a make-or-break moment. Maybe it comes down to hiring the right coach, or maybe it’s about finally landing a few key recruits.
Honestly, sometimes you just need a little luck to snap out of *college football hell*. If you’re curious about the details, you can check out the full article over at Saturday Down South.
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