With week three closed out, it's time to revisit who remains on the hot seat this week heading into week 4. There are plenty of candidates to go around, but some fell off of the seat after strong showings in week three. Let us start first with those who remain firmly on the seat:
Bill Blankenship, Tulsa
Blankenship has been sinking ship for the last season and a half, as Tulsa is off to a 1-2 start after an abysmal campaign in 2013. Tulsa was blown out by FAU this week, and that just should not happen. In losses to Oklahoma and FAU, the Golden hurricane has given up 102 points, and gave up 31 more in their only win over Tulane in the opener. A couple more losses, and Blankenship walsk the plank into the Dead Pool.
Tony Levine, Houston
The Cougars were supposed to be one of the Group of Five powers in 2014, and instead have losses to BYU and UTSA, the latter of which coming in the opening night of the new stadium. I don't believe that Levine is going anywhere this season, but someone has got to be wondering what has happened to a promising season.
Willie Taggert, USF
Again, I'm not saying that he's going anywhere, but neither is USF right now. Taggert has got to be wondering why he left Western Kentucky right about now. USF has fallen on some serious hard times, and taking this job may have been a very bad career move.
Curtis Johnson, Tulane
Remember how 2013 ended on a sweet note with the Green Wave making a bowl game? It looked like Tulane was finally turning a corner under Johnson, and with a new stadium coming, Tulane would be on the rise. Not so fast...Tulane is stuck in low gear, and the Wave is crashing. Johnson is at a point in his tenure where improvement is a must. It's not happening.
Mike London, Virginia
London has certainly climbed his way out of the Dead Pool...for now. That win over Louisville was huge, but the Cavaliers still have some issues, namely on offense. That being said, DC John Tenuta has done a staggering job with this defense, and Virginia could ride that unit through a wide open Coastal Division of the ACC. By the way, still not impressed with folks storming the field after that win. That was kind of overdone.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
I will get grief for placing a 3-0 coach on the Hot Seat, but the Jackets are an exceptionally weak 3-0 heading into ACC play. Johnson has to still prove that he can run through conference play decently, make a bowl, and hopefully beat Georgia. All things are possible, and that's why I am worried about this team, because that's when they fold.
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
I've had him on this list since last season. Both Bleacher Report and ESPN have picked up my comments and made them public. The heat is truly on Beamer in the public eye, because this program has gotten stale. Beating Ohio State was huge, but following up with a home loss to East Carolina after falling behind 21-0 was inexcusable, even if the Pirates are a solid program. This isn't Beamer Ball anymore.
Al Golden, Miami
Someone seriously set up a gofundme,com account to raise money to fly a "Fire Al Golden" banner over the stadium on game day. Golden has a new AD, and next year has a new school president. His support column is crumbling. Golden may be rethinking staying when he could have left.
Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
I'll be the first one to call it. The Red Raiders are the worst 2-1 team in the nation right now. Since starting 7-0, Kingsbury is 2-6 since, and horribly scary wins over UTEP and Central Arkansas, followed by a pounding from an Arkansas team that hadn't beaten a Power Five school in two years does not bode well for the future.
Brady Hoke, Michigan
I had such high hopes for Brady Hoke at Michigan, but something just isn't clicking. A blowout loss to Notre Dame and a shameful effort against a Miami (Ohio) team that had been beaten by Eastern Kentucky have the rabid Wolverine fans in an uproar. Hoke could be closer to the Dead Pool than I care to acknowledge.
Kyle Flood, Rutgers
Sure he has a two year extension in hand, but that has little meaning. That 13-10 collapse to Penn State was not a good showing, and Greg Schiano is kicking around in the wings. Rutgers got off to a decent start, but the armor is looking thin.
Tim Beckman, Illinois
It's now or never for Beckman at Illinois, who barely survived last season intact. This week, the Illini got blasted in Seattle by Washington, which is likely a sign of the times to come. If that continues, the Dead Pool beckons.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Ferentz lost the game to Iowa State with a failed strategy, calling a timeout as the ball was snapped when Iowa State missed the game winning FG. A few moments laterm ISU got the re-kick, and nailed it giving Iowa State three wins in four years against the boneheaded Ferentz. Here's the deal Iowa...he's not worth what you are paying him!
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
This team is a mess, and is now 4-10 in the last two seasons. Fitzgerald may be highly popular in Evanston, but so is winning. Right now, these Wildcats look more like the dark time Cats of the pre-90s years. That's a very bad thing.
David Bailiff, Rice
The Owls have fallen to 0-2, and are showing why Bailiff always seems to hover around this list. The Owls are now 0-2 in 2014 after bad losses to Notre Dame and Texas A&M. They could still turn it around, but I believe Bailiff is on borrowed time.
Paul Haynes, Kent State
Haynes could very well end up in the Dead Pool, but that is more than likely going to be in 2015, when he runs out of excuses. This Golden Flash team almost made a BCS bowl a few short years ago. Now they look like the awful teams of the 80s.
Dan Enos, Central Michigan
That loss to Syracuse this week took the improvement made this season and crapped all over it. Enos is still in trouble.
Jeff Quinn, Buffalo
Lands on the Hot Seat for the first time in 2014. That loss to Baylor showed exactly how far the Bulls are regressing this season.
Bobby Hauck, UNLV
Showed some life in the loss to Northern Illinois, but not nearly enough. Coming off of a bowl bid last season, UNLV only has a one point win over Northern Colorado to show for 2014. That's not good.
Bob Davie, New Mexico
When the locals show some emotion and start getting angry, that's a terrible thing at UNM. Davie has not breathed much more life into the Loos than Mike Locksley had.
Will Muschamp, Florida
Muschamp has two wins so far, but the balance could tip at any moment after a blowout win over Eastern Michigan, and a lucky escape from Kentucky. Alabama comes next.
Trent Miles, Georgia State
The Panthers may not win another game after beating Abilene Christian in the opener. The offense is great, but the overall team discipline and defense have been abysmal.
OFF OF THE SEAT
Paul Rhoades, Iowa State: Safe for now after beating Iowa 20-17. Showing some life.
Bo Pelini, Nebraska: Responded to McNeese State scare by blowing out Fresno State on the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment