2025 College Football Fanbases That Should Be Worried After Week 2
Remember how optimistic you were two weeks ago? Oh, the bitter pain of when reality strikes in college football fandom.
No, the season is not already a lost cause because your favorite team has dropped a game. But there are clear warning signs emerging for many programs.
For some fanbases, the next 10 weeks could be a rough ride.
These selections weigh recent history, 2025 results, and season expectations.
Florida Gators
1 of 6
Given South Florida just defeated Florida in The Swamp, this is probably the most unsurprising inclusion.
While this may seem obvious, the Gators' situation can't be overlooked.
Florida surged late in 2024, knocking off LSU and Ole Miss as part of a four-game streak to post an 8-5 record. The sizzling finish provided hope for the future as hyped freshman DJ Lagway took control of the offense, too.
Well, the loss to USF silenced any good vibes. Billy Napier has returned to a scorching-hot seat, and the Gators' schedule is plain nightmarish from here.
If the Gators can upset LSU or Miami on the road—or Texas at home in early October—they may quiet the unrest. However, a daunting stretch of Top 25 matchups leaves little margin for error.
If Florida struggles through this stretch, Napier's tenure could end soon.
Iowa Hawkeyes
2 of 6
Death, taxes and an inept passing game. Few things are as predictable as Iowa's passing struggles.
Kirk Ferentz has built a remarkably stable program at Iowa, which has finished no worse than 8-5 for a full decade. There are about 110 other schools that would gladly deal with the Hawkeyes' recent problems.
But, man, it just doesn't get better. Iowa just cannot figure out the whole "forward pass" thing.
Because of the team's run-heavy approach, Iowa shouldn't be expected to have impressive passing volume. Yet the Hawkeyes cannot shake their inefficiency. They've trudged to 6.6 yards per attempt or worse for a half-decade, and a 3.3-yard average so far in 2025 is just shockingly awful—especially after landing key transfer Mark Gronowski this offseason.
Great defense will propel Iowa to several wins, and good special teams can bolster a few more victories. Maybe the Hawkeyes can sneak in an upset, too.
Actual contention in the Big Ten, though? That's wishful thinking.
Kansas State Wildcats
3 of 6
We've seen this movie before: Kansas State struggles in the opening month, then recovers in October and beyond to make noise in the Big 12.
Still, the 2025 script isn't looking so great.
K-State squandered chances in a Week 0 loss to Iowa State and barely escaped FCS North Dakota. Against Army, they were dominated in the second half, possessing the ball for only three minutes while the opposition repeatedly converted on third and fourth down.
If you're clinging to optimism, the looming trip to Arizona is a nonconference game. Kansas State then has an idle weekend to reset for the Big 12 slate.
However, there is already a near-zero margin for error in Manhattan.
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Oklahoma State Cowboys
4 of 6
Similar to Ferentz at Iowa, Mike Gundy is an institution at Oklahoma State. He's been a staple in Stillwater for two successful decades.
The bell tolls for everyone, though, and it's probably starting to ring.
Last season, the Pokes stumbled to 3-9 with a winless Big 12 record. That frustrating year resulted in Gundy taking a pay cut amid murmurs of a coaching change, and those whispers are on the verge of becoming loud.
The offense mustered 359 yards in a rocky win over UT Martin to kick off the campaign, then OSU flopped in a 69-3 demolition at the hands of Oregon.
Following an idle Saturday and hosting Tulsa, OSU plays six Big 12 games in six weeks. Every result will be scrutinized as Gundy sits on a hot seat.
UCLA Bruins
5 of 6
There are hard lessons being learned at UCLA.
Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee for UCLA, hoping for a bigger opportunity, but his results so far have been disappointing.
So far, not so good. Watching those two outings—losses to Utah and UNLV—hasn't provided much enthusiasm for what's coming next.
Adding to the dilemma is UCLA must determine its direction. DeShaun Foster had only served as a position coach in college when the school promoted him in 2024, and that inexperience is showing. Conversely, a quick hook on a well-respected alum wouldn't do the Bruins any perception favors, either.
Unless the Iamaleava-led offense grows so quickly that it hides a shaky defense, UCLA likely won't even match its 5-7 record from 2024.
Virginia Tech Hokies
6 of 6
There is a difference between losing games and being outclassed, and Virginia Tech is flirting with that problematic line.
In the opening loss to South Carolina, the Hokies competed well defensively. But the offense was a bit messy, and self-inflicted mistakes—an annoying trend in recent years—added to the frustration.
The real issues arrived in Week 2.
Holding a 20-10 lead on Vanderbilt, Tech imploded in the second half. Vandy scored a touchdown on all five meaningful drives as the Hokies' five possessions after the break totaled 21 yards, leading to a 44-20 nightmare loss at home.
Upcoming games with Old Dominion and Wofford should give VT a chance to right itself prior to ACC action and build up some confidence.
In conference play, though, Tech simply must be more competitive. Otherwise, hot-seat conversations around Brent Pry will be unavoidable.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
