Don't believe the hype: 3 teams most likely to disappoint in 2017
The offseason is a time for fans and pundits to hype up teams heading into the upcoming campaign based on a number of factors.
Whether it's the way it closed out the previous year, excitement about new roster additions, or the anticipation of young players reaching their potential, it's easy to buy into a program's chances.
Often, though, that belief doesn't translate into success on the field.
Here are three teams likely to disappoint in 2017:
Penn State
The Nittany Lions took a major step forward under James Franklin last season, capturing the Big Ten championship thanks to some improbable heroics.
Those heroics included a narrow overtime win over Minnesota, a stunning upset against Ohio State thanks to a blocked field goal for a touchdown, and overcoming a 21-point deficit in the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin. Let's first give Penn State credit for pulling out those victories, but the likelihood of Franklin and Co. being on the right side of that many close games two years in a row seems highly unlikely.
Even with those wins and an 11-2 record, the Nittany Lions still fell short of reaching the College Football Playoff.
Penn State may very well be improved this season, but the odds of it winning more than 11 games and securing a spot in the playoff seem too much to overcome.
Oklahoma State
After back-to-back 10-win seasons for the Cowboys, and with Texas in a rebuilding phase and Oklahoma transitioning to a new head coach, it would appear 2017 might be time for Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 and challenge for a playoff spot.
Not so fast. Although Mike Gundy and Co. are stellar on offense, averaging more than 38 points per game last season, their defense isn't anywhere near good enough to compete for a playoff spot. The Cowboys conceded an average of 457 yards per game in 2016, good enough for 108th in the country.
A quick glance at Oklahoma State's schedule sees the Cowboys face a stretch where they meet Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas, West Virginia, and Oklahoma in succession, with three of those coming on the road - not to mention a tough early season showdown at Pitt.
Given their dismal defense, it would be hard to imagine Oklahoma State escaping that gauntlet without two losses, likely ending any hopes of a playoff spot.
Louisville
Louisville was in the playoff conversation for a large portion of last season, before a late-season collapse ended those hopes. The Cardinals suffered a trio of disappointing losses, perhaps signaling things to come in 2017.
There's no question Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson carried the team, and when his play dropped slightly, the team went with him. Jackson torched defenses last season to the tune of 51 total touchdowns, but fell back down to earth in his final four contests, compiling just two rushing scores and four through the air over that span.
It's unrealistic to think he can match last season's pace in 2017, especially with the opposition now having hours of video at their disposal to study him.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)