Big Ten or SEC, who is in the CFP
The Big Ten is in jeopardy of not getting four teams in the CFP. Right now, who is that fourth team, Michigan or USC? Does a 9-3 Big Ten team make it in? Not if there is a 10-2 SEC team available. That’s why the SEC may have the opportunity to get 5 teams in the CFP this season.
The Big Ten has promoted themselves as equal to the SEC all season, and by winning the last two national championships they have a legitimate argument. However, this season there is clearly a gap between the top 3 teams in the conference and 4 through 6.
Right now, the Big Ten has two undefeated teams in Ohio State and Indiana. They have one team with a single loss in Oregon and two teams with two losses in Michigan and USC. And finally, they have three teams with three losses in Nebraska, Washington, and Illinois. USC must still play Oregon and Michigan still has Ohio State. Both the Trojans and the Wolverines could very well fall to three losses.
The SEC currently has one undefeated team in Texas A&M. They have two one loss teams in Georgia, and Ole Miss. And finally, they have three two loss teams in Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma. That’s five teams with two losses or less compared to the Big Ten’s 3 teams.
Of course, there are still key matchups to come in the SEC that will essentially be playoff games. Games yet to come are Georgia at Georgia Tech, Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Alabama at Auburn, Vanderbilt at Tennessee, and Oklahoma still must play Missouri and LSU. It’s a given more teams will be eliminated.
That’s just the Big Ten and the SEC, the ACC is next to impossible right now to figure out who has a shot. The Big XII is clearer. But one thing is for sure, the CFP committee members smile every time the number of eligible teams goes down. Picking 12 will be hard enough.
Coaching Carousel, Resume or Fit
In the news today, James Franklin was hired as the new head coach of the Virgina Tech Hokies. After multiple firings through the season, Franklin becomes the first coach to be hired. I’m a little surprised, I looked for Franklin to end up somewhere like Auburn of Florida. But it’s been reported Virginia Tech is making an investment in the athletic program and Franklin must have seen something he likes. Frank Beemer found success in Blacksburg and Franklin is more than capable of doing the same.
The firing of coaches started early in the season and has worked its way up to a total of 11 as 2025 winds down. The list of fired coaches includes DeShaun Foster-UCLA, Brent Pry-Virginia, Mike Gundy-Oklahoma State, Trent Bray-Oregon State, Sam Pittman-Arkansas, James Franklin-Penn State, Trent Dilfer-UAB, Billy Napier-Florida, Jay Norvell-Colorado State, Brian Kelly-LSU, and Hugh Freeze-Auburn.
With each firing a new name comes up as a possible replacement, causing schools to scramble with contract extensions. The list of coaches who have already been extended includes Curt Cignetti-Indiana, Matt Rhule-Nebraska, Rhett Lashlee-SMU, Jeff Brohm-Louisville, and Mike Elko-Texas A&M.
And while there are still coaches on the hotseat, with each new job opening added to the hiring cycle, another coach finds himself safe for another season. This is due to there not being enough candidates, and unable to hire the coach they want or to pacify their fan base, schools will stay with the coach they currently have until the next hiring cycle.
Coaches that have been retained are Luke Frickell-Wisconsin and Mike Locksley-Maryland. Coaches who may find themselves safe due to the cost of their buyouts are Mike Norvell-Florida State, Mark Stoops-Kentucky, Bill Belichick-North Carolina, and Shane Beemer-South Carolina.
Coaches who are still on the hotseat despite their buyout are Dave Dorian-North Carolina State, Dave Aranda-Baylor, and Jonathan Smith-Michigan State.
Coaches whose names are buzzing as possible replacements for current openings are:
Lane Kiffin-Ole Miss
Brent Key-Georgia Tech
Clark Lea-Vanderbilt
Eli Drinkwitz-Missouri
Kenny Dillingham-Arizona State
Marcus Freeman-Notre Dame
John Sumrall-Tulane
Matt Campbell-Iowa State
Manny Diaz-Duke
PJ Fleck-Minnesota
Jim Mora-UConn
Jason Eck-New Mexico
Pat Fitzgearld-former Northwestern coach
What do you look for when hiring a new head coach? Is it resume or is it a cultural fit? And will coaches who are having success at their alma mater stay where they are? Perhaps using the fact that they are being recruited for better jobs to their advantage. Not so much to put more money in their pockets, but to add to the NIL coffers and assistant coaches pool to further their team’s success. Coaches who are currently having success at their alma maters are Brent Key-Georgia Tech, Kenny Dillingham-Arizona State, Jeff Brohm-Louisville, and Clark Lea-Vanderbilt.
If a school has a coach who played for them, one thing they can’t do is try to shortchange him, taking advantage of his loyalty to the school. Coaches who are getting offers will sniff that out quickly and more than likely won’t stick around.
It’s been a strange season and James Franklin is the first domino to fall. It’ll be interesting to see where all the chips fall once the 2026 season rolls around.
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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