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Bill Connelly names 2 SEC West teams among most disappointing
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Bill Connelly issued his picks for some of the most disappointing teams in college football this season. A pair of SEC West teams at the top and bottom of the division made the cut.
The ESPN analyst selected No. 11 Alabama and Arkansas for his “Midseason Disappoints” list. Last weekend, Alabama edged Arkansas 24-21. The victory extended Alabama’s winning streak to 5 games while Arkansas dropped to 0-4 in the conference.
Baylor, Minnesota, Arkansas and Boise State might all finish below .500, and Alabama really might have its worst team since 2007. The Midseason Disappointments list was pretty easy to craft. pic.twitter.com/cHJ9v1WyeR
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) October 16, 2023
Connelly notes the schedule and injuries as a factor for Arkansas’ woes. However, he points out that the win against Kent State wasn’t convincing enough.
“Granted Sam Pittman’s Hogs are victims of a ridiculous schedule–they’ve played 4 straight teams currently in the SP+ top 20, and they lost those 4 games by just a combined 25 points. But they also lost to a seriously shaky BYU team, and their 28-6 win over Kent State was not the kind of resounding win they should have had over the second-worst team in FBS. Injuries haven’t helped, but this team just hasn’t clicked. And now they need to win four of their last five to bowl.”
Meanwhile, Connelly is unapologetic about his inclusion of Alabama because of the standard for the program under Nick Saban.
“I’m sorry, that’s just where the bar is set,” Connelly said. “Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide slipped back to 9th in SP+ after Saturday’s narrow win over barely-top-50 Arkansas. They haven’t finished that low since 2007, Saban’s first season.”
Next up for Alabama is a home contest against Tennessee. Arkansas hosts Mississippi State this weekend.
