WhatInVolnation
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The Clemson victory over Georgia and the Miami win over Florida are two big wins for ACC teams over SEC powerhouses. UGA then came back and beat USCe pretty easily at home, which lends credence Clemson being good. I will note that I think UGA would have beat Clemson had Gurley and Marshall not got banged up early and had Mitchell not gotten injured for the year, but injuries are part of football. Also, UF dominated Miami but shot itself in the foot with the multiple turnovers and taking care of the ball is also part of football. That said, both Clemson and Miami won and Florida State pummeling Pitt with Winston poised to be a star, it looks like the ACC may finally be fulfilling the dream of the ACC founders when they tried to become a football conference. I think Florida State and Clemson are legit national title contenders, in part, because the ACC (outside of FSU, Clemson, and Miami) is weak and, in part, because they both are really good. I won't be surprised if either Clemson or FSU plays in the BCS national title game this year. Of course, both teams have a history of losing games they should not and it is early in the season.
Texas got humiliated by BYU and USC lost 10-7 to Washington State. It's pretty stunning because BYU just lost to UVA, which got blown out by Oregon this week, and Washington State has been horrible for years. Suffice it to say, I think Mack Brown and Kiffin's days are numbered. Brown will likely announce his retirement after another loss to Oklahoma and Kiffin may get fired as soon as the year is over in order to give the next coach some time on the recruiting trail. So, the question becomes who does Texas and USC try to get to be the new HC? There have been some rumors that Texas will put together an absurd offer for Saban. Texas, with its own channel, may actually be the one team in the country that could pay $7M+ without blinking an eye. I don't know if Saban will be interested, but he seems to be growingly concerned with the quality of the SEC and he may want a change of scenery. Could Texas also make a successful run at Gruden? Who are the other potential candidates? Similarly, USCw will command the attention of most of the big name candidates in the country. While not a huge name, I could see James Franklin being offered the USCw job after making Vandy somewhat decent and I am nearly positive that he would take it if it were offered. Who are the other USCw candidates? I doubt they would bring Sarkisian back since the Kiffin experiment seems to have been a horrible choice for USCw. Could Wilcox be a candidate?
The SEC, I think, remains the premiere conference in the country even with the improvement of the ACC and, to a lesser extent, Michigan and Ohio State. Still, this year does not feel like the SEC is as far ahead of the pack as we have been in years past and it could be a sign of things to come. The entire SEC relies on recruiting the state of Florida and, if Miami begins to get traction, it will be harder to recruit down there. Heck, Miami's class this year is already really good. Also, Florida State and Clemson already recruit Georgia with ferocity and it could be worse. And, I wonder if the Texas and/or USCw potential openings will impact the SEC coaching ranks as stated above.
Texas got humiliated by BYU and USC lost 10-7 to Washington State. It's pretty stunning because BYU just lost to UVA, which got blown out by Oregon this week, and Washington State has been horrible for years. Suffice it to say, I think Mack Brown and Kiffin's days are numbered. Brown will likely announce his retirement after another loss to Oklahoma and Kiffin may get fired as soon as the year is over in order to give the next coach some time on the recruiting trail. So, the question becomes who does Texas and USC try to get to be the new HC? There have been some rumors that Texas will put together an absurd offer for Saban. Texas, with its own channel, may actually be the one team in the country that could pay $7M+ without blinking an eye. I don't know if Saban will be interested, but he seems to be growingly concerned with the quality of the SEC and he may want a change of scenery. Could Texas also make a successful run at Gruden? Who are the other potential candidates? Similarly, USCw will command the attention of most of the big name candidates in the country. While not a huge name, I could see James Franklin being offered the USCw job after making Vandy somewhat decent and I am nearly positive that he would take it if it were offered. Who are the other USCw candidates? I doubt they would bring Sarkisian back since the Kiffin experiment seems to have been a horrible choice for USCw. Could Wilcox be a candidate?
The SEC, I think, remains the premiere conference in the country even with the improvement of the ACC and, to a lesser extent, Michigan and Ohio State. Still, this year does not feel like the SEC is as far ahead of the pack as we have been in years past and it could be a sign of things to come. The entire SEC relies on recruiting the state of Florida and, if Miami begins to get traction, it will be harder to recruit down there. Heck, Miami's class this year is already really good. Also, Florida State and Clemson already recruit Georgia with ferocity and it could be worse. And, I wonder if the Texas and/or USCw potential openings will impact the SEC coaching ranks as stated above.
