In 18 of the previous 20 seasons at the very least one top-10 group from the preseason Related Press Prime 25 ballot ended its season unranked.
Listed here are the three groups almost certainly to endure that destiny this season.
No. 4 Texas
Two weeks in the past, the Longhorns appeared like a pressure to be reckoned with of their SEC debut season. However since July 30, two of Texas’ prime operating backs (CJ Baxter and Christian Clark) suffered season-ending accidents, threatening to make this the primary season since 2010 that it turns into sufferer of the top-10 “curse.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers has a tough activity main an offense with out its full weaponry right into a gauntlet of a schedule that options 4 groups within the preseason AP prime 25 — two of them top-10 opponents (No. 9 Michigan, No. 16 Oklahoma, No. 1 Georgia and No. 20 Texas A&M).
The absence of the 2 RBs additionally places loads of strain on Texas’ protection, which ranked thirty fourth in yards allowed per sport (336.7) final season.
Until it wins at No. 9 Michigan (Sept. 7) and at house towards No. 1 Georgia (Oct. 19), Texas could discover itself in free fall a 12 months faraway from its first School Soccer Playoff look.
No. 6 Mississippi
Mississippi is ranked its highest within the preseason ballot since 1970, when it began No. 5. Fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin has a comfortable first 5 video games earlier than Ole Miss performs at No. 13 LSU on Oct. 12.
From that time ahead, the schedule doesn’t get simpler for Mississippi, which hosts No. 16 Oklahoma the subsequent week and No. 1 Georgia two weeks after that. Kiffin’s group will end the season at Florida after which house for the Egg Bowl towards Mississippi State.
Three losses to ranked groups, particularly by lower than a landing, would most likely nonetheless preserve Mississippi on the perimeter of the Prime 25. However any mixture that entails a loss to an unranked foe dangers dropping Mississippi out of the Prime 25 by the tip of the season.
No. 7 Notre Dame
The Preventing Irish had been victimized by the “curse” in 2016 and could possibly be at risk of falling sufferer once more this season. As an unbiased, Notre Dame has scheduling flexibility, however that double-edged sword leaves them susceptible.
A Week 1 loss to No. 20 Texas A&M in School Station would put head coach Marcus Freeman and his group on its again foot early. The Preventing Irish’s schedule after that has no ranked opponents to offer redemption till a sport at house towards No. 10 Florida State (Nov. 9) and at No. 23 USC (Nov. 30).
Within the meantime, if Notre Dame loses towards unranked opponents, it could be scrambling for ballot votes and be disregarded of an at-large bid for the CFP.
