ðɪ ɛkspɪktˈeɪʃənz wɜː hˈaɪ fɚðə pˈænθɚz æz ðeɪ ɹˈiːtʃt ɐ hˈæʃ nˈaɪn ɹˈæŋkɪŋ ˈɜːli ɪnðə sˈiːzən, bˌʌt ɪŋkənsˈɪstənsiz, pɹaɪmˈɛɹᵻli ˌɔn dᵻfˈɛns, pɹɪvˈɛntᵻd ðə pˈænθɚz fɹʌm lˈɪvɪŋ ˌʌp tə ðə sˈiːzənz lˈɔfti ɛkspɪktˈeɪʃənz.
The expectations were high for the Panthers as they reached a #9 ranking early in the season, but inconsistencies, primarily on defense, prevented the Panthers from living up to the season's lofty expectations.