Hugh Freeze has never faced this type of setback before. For four years his program has trended neatly upwards, adding one win every season since he took over in 2012. Sure, last season's loss to Memphis was a trying time—that loss appeared to have squandered a window of Playoff opportunity that at the time seemed destined to close with the departures of Nkemdiche, Treadwell and Tunsil—but a very talented team rallied for a trip to the Sugar Bowl and the steady incline continued.
Consecutive losses to Arkansas and LSU the last two weeks ensured that pattern won't continue this season.