The 2008 college football season seemed like it was the year for Clemson. They were coming off a 9-4 record in 2007 and returned a senior quarterback who threw for almost 3,000 yards the previous year (Cullen Harper). Clemson brought back two phenomenal running backs (James Davis and C.J. Spiller) and a 1,000 yard receiver (Aaron Kelley). Clemson opened the season ranked 9th in the AP Poll. Nothing could possibly stop Clemson from walking through the ACC and into their first BCS bowl.

…And then the season started.

Clemson was blown out by Alabama on national television the first week of the season and went 4-4 in the ACC. Cullen Harper, the veteran quarterback, threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Davis and Spiller combined, rushed for 450 yards less than they did the previous year. Clemson finished the season a disappointing 7-6 and fired Coach Tommy Bowden in the middle of the season.

Failing to live up to lofty expectations is not exclusive to the 2008 Clemson Tigers. Over the past seven seasons there are eight teams who were a preseason top 15 team and finished the season with seven wins or less. Below is a list of those teams.

The first thing prognosticators point to when predicting a top 10 finish for the Ole Miss season is the favorable schedule. The Rebels’ non conference schedule consists of two FCS (formerly D-IAA) teams along with Memphis and UAB. In league play they don’t play the top two teams in the east (Florida and Georgia). But it’s still the SEC. The Auburn Tigers are the only team Mississippi plays that won’t have a shot to beat them.

The Rebels return 15 starters including QB Jevan Snead and “Wildcatter” Dexter McCluster.  However they lost two offensive linemen to graduation, one of which was All-American tackle Michael Oher. With the ground game taking a hit, the Rebels will lean on Jevan Snead to make more plays this year.