It's time to look at who is feeling some heat on their ass after week 3 ended and we prepare to go into week 4. Some coaches are saving themselves, while others are sliding down onto the slimy shores of the dead pool. Let's get into this...
1. Ralph Friedgen-Maryland
Friedgen is sliding onto a much cooler seat these days, despite the loss to West Virginia, ugly as it was at times. That being said, there is a ton of work to do, and an upset home loss to FIU this weekend would be disastrous, given his record against Sun Belt team Middle Tennessee.
2.Frank Beamer-Virginia Tech
Beamer isn't going anywhere, and he probably has a lifetime job at Tech. That doesn't mean that we have to let him off of the hook. There seems to be a kind of complacency that has fallen over the Hokie program lately. This could just be one of those weird valleys that Joe Paterno suffered through for a while, but the dominance just isn't there right now. There is still a shot to win the ACC and go BCS bowling, but a loss to BC this weekend would mean season over.
3. Butch Davis-North Carolina
We have been hearing now about how Butch was going to turn the Tar Hells into a national power, and how his recruiting classes have been the best in the history of UNC Football, but where are the results? The scandal has killed the season, but a win against Rutgers is not out of the realm of possibility this weekend. UNC needs this win desperately.
4. Tim Brewster-Minnesota
There are some folks that would already have his head on a platter. Brewster is barely hanging on to the edge of his hot seat, and may soon take a nice deep plunge into the Dead Pool. This program is barely on life support right now. And by the way, the Gophers have lost their leading WR and KR to indefinite suspension. The hits just keep on coming.
5. Neil Calloway-UAB
Calloway has done what he can with this program, but it's hard when you are probably only the 4th most popular program in the state, falling even behind Troy. There have been no major successes or victories to point to, and this program may soon need new blood to generate some buzz. May I make a suggestion? How about Phil Fulmer?
6. David Bailiff-Rice
There has not been much buzz surrounding Bailiff's job security, but it has to be thin. Rice is terrible, and not getting any better. They got their win over North Texas, and that may be it. Once the buzz generates, then it's into the pool. Maybe I start the buzz right here.
7. Doug Martin-Kent State
The Golden Flashes have been on the verge of breaking out for years now. It just has not happened yet, and Martin may not be the guy to push them to that next level. The good news is that RB Eugene Jarvis, who has been out all season, will be available for the Miami (Ohio) game on 10/2. That may be enough to save Martin right there.
8. Rick Neuheisel-UCLA
One win over what was probably an overrated Houston team will not save Neuheisel. A brutal journey looms to Austin on Saturday, and a 1-3 September is likely. The Bruins would then have to go 7-1 the rest of the way to meet Neuheisel's prediction of 8 wins for the season. Better yet, they would have to go 5-3 just to match last season's 6-6 record.
9. Mark Richt-Georgia
There is an angry wind blowing out of Athens this season. Richt has not produced a power house program that many thought would be inevitable during his tenure. Jim Donnan was fired with similar record. One has to think that this game against Mississippi State may be the most important game of his career.
10. Houston Nutt-Ole Miss
What has happened to the Rebels? Wasn't Jeremiah Masoli supposed to help turn a disaster that was coming into some kind of glorious triumph? Hasn't happened...won't happen. Things are getting toasty in Oxford.
11. Steve Roberts-Arkansas State
Roberts has often been on the brink of doing some good things at ASU, but the brink is as far as they seem to get minus one bowl bid. Ryan Alpin could be the best QB in the Sun Belt, but there needs to be some consistency with the rest of the squad.
12. Mario Christobal-FIU
Some people thought that this was the year that the Panther would turn the corner. As Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. FIU blew a major opportunity last weekend against Texas A&M, and trust me when I say that good coaching doesn't allow for those kinds of lapses.
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