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.
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.