10 Biggest College Football Disappointments After the First 5 Weeks, Including Michigan’s Bryce Underwood

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Entering a new college football season, every single team in the country has hopes that this will be just as good as or better than the year before, or that they will turn their fortunes around after a rough go of it in 2025. Unfortunately, for many teams, players and coaches, things don’t go as planned.

While there is still more than enough time left in the 2026 college football schedule, these are the 10 biggest disappointments after the first five weeks of the season.

LaNorris Sellers & South Carolina

Heading into the 2025 season, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was getting early Heisman buzz after a breakthrough season the year before. Unfortunately, he and the Gamecocks disappointed last season. Well, things haven’t changed in 2026.

South Carolina heads into Week 6 of the college football season with a 2-3 record, and a key reason why is average play from Sellers. After five starts, he has 1,059 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns to 4 interceptions, and a 57.4 quarterback rating.

Yes, the South Carolina defense definitely deserves part of the blame, but Sellers again has not come close to reaching the potential experts saw in him two years ago.

Deion Sanders & Colorado

NCAA Football: Colorado at Baylor — Sep 26, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts on the sideline against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Two years ago, NFL legend Deion Sanders was one of the most well-known coaches in college football. Part of it was his brash and bold personality. But he also had talented players and nearly led Colorado to a double-digit win season for just the third time this century.

However, 2025 disappointed without having Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter leading the way. Unfortunately for Buffaloes fans, things haven’t changed this year as they head into Week 6 with a 2-3 record. Things hit a low last week when Sanders threw QB Isaac Wilson and his QB room under the bus following a 29-7 loss to Texas Tech.

Marcel Reed

NCAA Football: Arkansas at Texas A&M — Oct 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

After a breakout campaign in 2025, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed returned for his senior season in the hopes of bolstering his stock for the 2027 NFL Draft. Yet, after a big 11-2 season for him in the Aggies, this year’s team already has as many losses as they did last season.

They enter Week 6 with a 3-2 record, and a major reason why is disappointing play from Reed. He hit on just 38% of his passes in a surprise loss to Kentucky last month, and he has 6 passing touchdowns to 4 interceptions. This is not the season A&M was hoping for from their talented QB.

Bryce Underwood

When Bryce Underwood had an up-and-down season for Michigan in 2025, it was chalked up to a freshman in a high-pressure situation that was filled with drama. However, he has actually been worse this season after the Wolverines’ first four games.

Underwood has not been the dual-threat monster he was expected to be as a five-star recruit. He has hit on just 59% of his 113 passes. And he has just 5 passing TDs to 4 INTs after four games. If Underwood and the offense were just a little better, Michigan would probably be 5-0 instead of 2-3 heading into Week 6.

John Mateer & Oklahoma

NCAA Football: Oklahoma at Georgia — Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

After a breakout season at Washington State in 2024, John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and was getting early Heisman buzz. However, an injury limited him in his first season for the Sooners. A big bounceback year was expected in 2026. Well, that really hasn’t happened.

The Sooners enter Week 6 with a disappointing 2-2 record. A key reason why is an offense led by Mateer that has been a letdown. The QB has been unable to make big plays, and outside of a 51-point day to begin the year, Oklahoma has struggled to score over 15 points a game since. Getting blown out last week shows this team won’t compete for a playoff spot.

Jeff Brohm & Louisville

NCAA Football: Southern Methodist at Louisville — Sep 19, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm runs onto the field prior to the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Carter-Imagn Images

After a solid run as head coach for Purdue, Jeff Brohm turned Louisville into a program that had the potential to compete for a playoff spot in 2026. Unfortunately, the Cardinals have regressed this season.

Despite a pretty good year from transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz, the Louisville defense has cost them the chance at wins the last two weeks, and a 4-1 record heading into Week 6. After showing so much promise the last three seasons, Brohm will have to rethink his team-building approach next year.

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