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Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USA TODAY Sports

The 5 Most Overrated Programs of the Last Decade

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 3:57 PM ET

Some programs thrive off recent on-field results, while others live off their historic success. Here are the five programs who have continually been hyped during the last decade (2016-2025) but have failed to back it up when it matters most.

Texas A&M

Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 7
Postseason Top 25 Rankings: 3
Highest Postseason Top 25 Ranking: #4 (2020)
Overall Record: 80-45 (.640)
Bowl/Playoff Record: 3-5

The skinny: Texas A&M has become the model of disappointment over the last decade, but especially since the 2019 season. During the last seven seasons they have been ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25 each year and have only finished in the Postseason Top 25 twice. 2025 was a mini version of the last decade, with the Aggies being 11-0 and ranked No. 3 at one point but then finishing the season by losing their final two games. Expectations remain very high, yet results continue to be underwhelming.

USC

Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 8
Postseason Top 25 Rankings: 5
Highest Postseason Top 25 Ranking: #3 (2016)
Overall Record: 78-45 (.634)
Bowl Record: 3-4

The skinny: While USC’s name still means a lot, over the last decade they haven’t backed it up on the field. Aside from their No. 3 ranking in 2016, the Trojans haven’t finished higher than No. 12 during this stretch. Every year is hyped as their rebirth, but remains the same.

Florida

Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 6
Postseason Top 25 Rankings: 4
Highest Postseason Top 25 Ranking: #6 (2019)
Overall Record: 71-54 (.568)
Bowl Record: 4-3

The skinny: Florida’s decline has been drastic during the last decade. While they have finished in the AP Top 25 four times, it hasn’t happened since the 2020 season. Since then, they’ve been in the AP Preseason Top 25 twice but failed to finish there. And it is unlikely that they’ll start in the 2026 poll despite still being in the discussion as one of the top programs in the SEC….at least historically.

Tennessee

Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 6
Postseason Top 25 Rankings: 4
Highest Postseason Top 25 Ranking: #6 (2022)
Overall Record: 74-51 (.592)
Bowl/Playoff Record: 4-3

The skinny: Tennessee seemed to be on an upswing after making the Playoffs in 2024 but then regressed back to their pre-2022 form by finishing 8-5 and unranked in 2025. Patience is very thin in Knoxville as the fanbase continues to wait for the Phillip Fulmer coached days which are now almost 20 years ago.

Florida State

Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 5
Postseason Top 25 Rankings: 3
Highest Postseason Top 25 Ranking: #6 (2023)
Overall Record: 66-57 (.536)
Bowl Record: 3-2

The skinny: With the worst winning percentage (.536) of any program on this list, Florida State continues to live off its past successes. They looked poised to change this in 2023, but quarterback Jordan Travis’ late season injury quickly derailed that plan. Finishing the season ranked in the AP Top 25 only three times over the last ten seasons is more than enough proof that the program is not meeting expectations.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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