FIVE MOST MISERABLE
2. Oregon: It was hard to watch the Ducks’ 35-32 loss at Nebraska and not wonder if Mark Helfrich is bordering on Larry Coker territory. Though some will point out that Coker at least won a national title, the comparison is more about the situation they inherited and the trajectory that followed.
Coker, the longtime career assistant, was chosen as the caretaker for Miami at the peak of its powers following Butch Davis and went 35-3 his first three seasons. Helfrich, also a career assistant and continuity hire, inherited Chip Kelly’s green machine with a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and went 25-4 his first two seasons. Coker eventually showed that maintaining Miami’s dominance was beyond his capabilities as a head coach and was fired after a three-year decline.
Oregon is only in the second year of its spiral following the 2014 national title game, but it’s a real and concerning trend for Ducks fans. They’re no longer the class of the Pac-12. They’re no longer ahead of the curve with their system and tempo. They’re no longer recruiting and developing star quarterbacks but rather trolling the FCS for stop-gaps. They’re still going to win games, but they’re no longer a threat to do much of anything on the national stage.
5. USC: The long-running mediocrity of USC has made it seem normal for the Trojans to be beaten in routine fashion by Stanford. But it’s not normal, and it should never be normal. Is this really what the Trojans’ program has come to? Even for all the tumult of the last few years, there is real talent at USC that is being made to look indistinguishable from Oregon State except for the uniforms. That should not happen.
Of course, this entire procession of coaches shouldn’t have happened dating back to giving the job to Lane Kiffin way before he was ready to maximize it. Something has to change. It’s not fair to Helton that the stakes are this high, but he’s 1-4 since being named the permanent coach and that record does not reflect the roster he is coaching.
It doesn’t reflect the goals or aspirations of what USC should be or can achieve. There’s no shame in losing to Stanford these days, but getting absolutely throttled 27-10 and looking sloppy in the process reflects directly to the head coach.
Iowa: Giving Kirk Ferentz another contract extension through 2025 just before he loses to North Dakota State is the most Iowa thing ever.
Threw in the bit about Iowa because I think its the most hilariously sad thing I’ve ever read.
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Utah @ 
Oklahoma State 
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