Week 7 Flop 10: Penn State Stumbles Again, Luke Fickell Reaches New Lows, and Hope for the Winless
In college football, Week 7 saw surprising outcomes with notable disappointments among various teams and coaches. The Penn State Nittany Lions, once ranked second, suffered their third consecutive loss, marking a significant decline in performance.
Penn State’s Struggles Continue
Penn State began the season with high expectations but has stumbled badly. After losing in double overtime to a top-five team, they faced devastating defeats against UCLA and Northwestern. The Nittany Lions were trailing 22-21 when quarterback Drew Allar sustained a season-ending injury.
Now 0-3 in the Big Ten, Penn State’s next challenges include games against Iowa and No. 1 Ohio State, followed by a likely top-three Indiana. This drastic fall from grace might label this team as one of the most disappointing of the 2000s.
Luke Fickell’s Home Struggles
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is under severe pressure following a string of losses, including a humiliating 37-0 defeat to Iowa. This marks the Badgers’ fourth consecutive loss, raising questions about the program’s direction. Fickell acknowledged the severity of the situation and expressed his disappointment in the team’s preparedness.
Hope for Winless Teams
Several teams remain winless this season, including Oregon State and UMass, who both faced embarrassing defeats last Saturday. Oregon State lost 39-14 to Wake Forest, resulting in the firing of head coach Trent Bray after less than two years. UMass suffered a 42-6 loss to Kent State, extending their losing streak against FBS teams to 18 games.
Other Disappointing Outcomes
- Old Dominion – Suffered a setback against Marshall, losing 48-24 due to five turnovers.
- Florida State – Experienced a disheartening loss to Pitt, jeopardizing their standings.
- Fresno State – Gave up a surprising 49 points against Colorado State, ruining their five-game winning streak.
These teams struggled not only with their on-field performance but also faced coaching issues and management decisions that may impact their future. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if any of these winless programs can turn their fortunes around.
