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These 5 college football contenders are the most likely to disappoint in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) pulls back to throw during the NCAA college football game against UT Martin on Saturday, October 22, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvmartin1012
Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) pulls back to throw during the NCAA college football game against UT Martin on Saturday, October 22, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvmartin1012 /
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Dec 29, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer (left) talks with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) in the first half of the 2022 Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer (left) talks with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) in the first half of the 2022 Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Washington Huskies

Don’t get me wrong, I love Michael Penix Jr. I actually think he should have been a Heisman finalist last season. But he can’t do it all himself. Sure, the receiving corps is likely the best in the Pac-12 and one of the most explosive in the nation, but I worry about the run game and the fact that Kalen DeBoer’s first season may have been a slight mirage.

No, I don’t think DeBoer is a fraud or anything like that but rarely does a coach just take over a program that had been struggling and immediately take off with no setbacks.

I think 2023 could see a slight setback.

What is a setback for this team? Well, the Huskies won 11 games in his first season and they’re projected to flirt with a preseason top-10 ranking but I could see a few-game regression. I wouldn’t be completely shocked with 8-4 given their tough schedule.

In fact, Washington has to go to Michigan State, Arizona, USC, and Oregon State. They also face Utah and Oregon. That’s six games on the schedule that could go either way.

I’m also a Michigan State fan and the Huskies’ 11-win season gives me Mel Tucker 11-2 vibes from 2021. It could have been a case of exceeding expectations too early leading to a letdown the following season.

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