More Coaching Jobs Available

Over the past few weeks both USC jobs have come open, after South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier retired and Southern California’s Steve Sarkisian was let go.

A few more jobs for aspiring candidates opened up this weekend as Miami’s Al Golden was terminated, and UCF’s George O’Leary resigned after his team started 0-8.

Golden’s Miami Hurricanes were slaughtered by Clemson at home, 58-0, leaving no doubt as to what would happen with his future.

“Got beat from top to bottom,” Golden said. “They outplayed us. They outcoached us. I just told the team it’s completely my responsibility for not getting them ready to play. They just beat us soundly in every facet of the game, period.”

In his four plus seasons as the head man at “The U,” Golden failed to beat a single team that ended the season ranked in the Top 25.

The question remains about how much was Golden’s fault and if Miami is simply a place that you cannot win at any longer.  Miami has seemingly divorced themselves of the “bad boy” culture that made them successful.  They also have subpar facilities to compete with one of the big state institutions and have refused to pay their coaches market value.

Is there one head coach in America that can turn around the once proud program?

If there is, would he inevitably take a pay cut to wear the green and orange?

That remains to be seen.

Meanwhile in Orlando, George O’Leary has somehow transformed a middling program to a BCS Champion, and just two years later is at the rock bottom of college football.

The Knights have inexplicably gone winless in their first eight games, which includes a home loss to FCS Furman.  The program with the nation’s second-longest enrollment which produced the first quarterback taken in the 2014 NFL Draft is simply looking for answers as the team has appeared to quit on the head coach, who in turn quit on the team.

One could argue that with the level of expectations and the facilities and state funding that UCF could be a better job than Miami.  Either way, it will be tough sledding for each new head coach to get recruits and this should only further strengthen the other in-state programs.

Our Rankings

Our rankings are based upon what actually happened on the field and much less about perception of how good teams should be or past history of the conferences they play in.

1. Baylor Bears– Another week, another blowout win for Baylor.  With their schedule they can’t afford any slip-ups.
2. LSU Tigers– LSU keeps winning against the SEC competition and they play Alabama next week.  The winner will be in line for an SEC title game berth.
3. Clemson Tigers– Clemson was ultra-impressive in their 58-0 whitewashing of Miami, and they have the best chance of any team in the Power 5 conferences to make it through undefeated.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide– Their season comes down to the LSU game in two weeks.  If they win, they’ll be heavy favorites the rest of the way and all they would need is one Ole Miss loss to get in the SEC title game.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes– Ohio State changed quarterbacks and rolled Rutgers, 49-7.  They seem to have the offense figured out and we’re just waiting for them to play the Michigan schools.
6. TCU Horned Frogs– They have a legitimate Heisman candidate in Trevone Boykin, but they don’t look as good as they did last year.  Their season will come down to the Baylor game on 11/27.
7. Michigan State Spartans– Michigan State hasn’t always looked impressive this season, but they find themselves undefeated and in position to win the Big 10 and make it to the playoff if they can take down the Buckeyes.
8. Utah Utes– Utah had a bad night in Southern California as the Trojans took it to them.  If they can respond and win out, there’s still a very good chance they’ll make it to the playoff.
9. Florida Gators– One close loss on the road at LSU shouldn’t hurt the Gators too badly, as they still have the inside track to win the SEC East and play for the SEC title which would allow them entry into the playoff.
10. Stanford Cardinal– Stanford is the perfect example of how college football teams can grow and get better as the season progresses.  Stanford looks great right now and their quarterback, Kevin Hogan is playing efficient football.

Heisman Rankings

1. Leonard Fournette, LSU– It’s Big Leonard’s award to lose as he’s been excellent in every game this year.  Fournette leads the NCAA in rushing yards with 1,352, nearly 200 more than the next highest rusher.
2. Ezekiel Elliot, OSU– The Ohio State running back has been the team MVP and when given the opportunities, he’s been nearly unstoppable.  Elliot is averaging 6.8 yards per carry and has 13 touchdowns on the season.
3. Dalvin Cook, FSU– Despite battling a hamstring injury, Cook has been explosive this season.  He’s averaged 8.2 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns as he’s been the main focus of the ‘Noles offense.
4. Paxton Lynch, Memphis– Lynch is climbing the Heisman rankings as well as NFL Draft boards as he has prototypical quarterback size with solid running ability.  Lynch has elevated the Memphis program to heights never before seen as he’s completing nearly 72 percent of his throws, for 2,366 yards with 17 touchdowns and just one interception.  His passer rating of 175.7 is fifth in college football.
5. Trevone Boykin, TCU– Boykin has been tremendous again in 2015 as he has broken all of Andy Dalton’s school passing records.  Boykin has completed 66.4 percent of his throws for 2,539 yards with 25 touchdowns and five interceptions.  The dual-threat quarterback is making his name as an NFL prospect.