College football: It doesn’t always go as planned

North Carolina’s season of great expectations has been undercut by a couple of NCAA investigations that have left the Tar Heel short-handed and 0-2.

Just three weeks into the season, Chapel Hill isn’t the only place where high hopes have turned into hard times. Six more teams that are already staring at disappointing seasons:

1. CINCINNATI. The two-time defending Big East champions said so long to Brian Kelly, but with Butch Jones taking over for Kelly again – just like he did at Central Michigan – the transition was expected to be fairly smooth. Nope. The Bearcats are 0-2 against FBS teams and their high-powered offense has been low voltage instead. Cincy has scored 33 points in two losses.

2. CONNECTICUT. The Huskies were a trendy pick to win the Big East because of an experienced roster, solid defense and improved quarterback play. Well, the Big East is still wide open, but losses to Michigan and Temple showed UConn still can’t complete enough passes to win big.

3. GEORGIA. The idea that Mark Richt was coaching for his job this season seemed a bit extreme in August. After a 0-2 SEC start, the Bulldogs’ first since 1993, that doesn’t seem so outlandish anymore.

4. HOUSTON. The Cougars had BCS dreams and a Heisman Trophy hopeful coming into the season. All that is over after UCLA pounded Houston 31-13. Worse yet, record-setting QB Case Keenum injured his knee making a tackle against UCLA and is out for the year. Oh yeah, and Keenum’s backup got hurt and is also done.

5. MISSISSIPPI. The late addition of transfer quarterback Jeremiah Masoli filled what looked like the most glaring need for Houston Nutt’s team. Losses to Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt in Oxford have shown the Rebels have more problems than QB.

6. WASHINGTON. When Jake Locker decided to return to Seattle for his senior season, Huskies fans thought the program would be ready to win again. Instead, Washington is 1-2 with a loss to BYU (also 1-2) and a beat down at home from Nebraska.