Everything about College Football Coaches
Friday, Aug. 30
Lehigh at Army | 6 p.m. | CBSSN
Temple at No. 16 Oklahoma | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State | 7 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Colgate at Maine | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Elon at Duke | 7:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Western Michigan at Wisconsin | 9 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Week 1 of college football is already shaping up to be a scorcher, and nowhere is the heat more intense than in the Sunshine State. The Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators are set to collide in what can only be described as the “Hot Seat Bowl.”
Both Mario Cristobal and Billy Napier are feeling the pressure. Cristobal’s homecoming to Miami has been anything but triumphant, while Napier’s Gators are underperforming despite high expectations. A quick glance at their nearly identical records in key metrics paints a grim picture:
These numbers tell the story of two programs needing a turnaround. For both coaches, this Week 1 matchup is a must-win.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A loss could accelerate calls for change, while a win might buy precious time and support. Every decision, every play call, will be scrutinized under the intense Florida sun.
Key Matchup: Miami’s RB Henry Parrish Jr. vs. Florida’s QB Graham Mertz. Parrish must carry the load for the Canes, while Mertz must prove he’s the answer for the Gators.
The Burning Question: In this high-stakes game of coaching survival, who will emerge victorious and cool their seat, if only for a week?
The Hot Seat Bowl is about more than just football; it’s about two coaches fighting for their jobs. The pressure is on, the heat is turned up, and the entire college football world will watch.
Georgia, the defending champs, is looking to keep the dynasty rolling. On the other hand, Clemson is looking to remind everyone they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
Key Matchup: Georgia’s revamped defense vs. Clemson’s offense under coordinator Garrett Riley.
The Burning Question: Can Clemson’s offense keep pace with Georgia’s relentless defense?
Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers are rising, and Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans are always in the spotlight. This clash of powerhouse programs could be a glimpse into the College Football Playoff picture.
Key Matchup: LSU’s QB Garrett Nussmeier vs. USC’s QB Miller Moss. Both quarterbacks are stepping into big shoes, and this game will be their first chance to shine.
The Burning Question: Can USC’s defense, which has been a major focus of offseason improvement, hold up against LSU’s explosive offense?
Two storied programs collide in a game that could have profound playoff implications. Notre Dame seeks to build on recent success, while Texas A&M aims for a breakout season under Jimbo Fisher.
Key Matchup: Notre Dame’s new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock vs. Texas A&M’s talented defense.
The Burning Question: Can Notre Dame’s offense find its rhythm against a tough Aggie defense?
Penn State is a trendy pick to make the playoffs, but West Virginia hopes to crash the party.
Key Matchup: Penn State’s QB Drew Allar vs. West Virginia’s RB CJ Donaldson. Allar needs to lead the Nittany Lions to victory, while Donaldson has to carry the Mountaineers’ offense.
Key Matchup: Penn State’s QB Drew Allar vs. West Virginia’s RB CJ Donaldson. Allar needs to lead the Nittany Lions to victory, while Donaldson has to carry the Mountaineers’ offense.
Week 1 is just the beginning, but it could be the end for some coaches. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride!
The Coaches on the (Supposed) Hot Seat: Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day
The college football season hasn’t started, and the “hot seat” talk is already in full swing. Pundits and fans are sharpening their pitchforks, ready to skew any coach who doesn’t deliver immediate, flawless results. Lincoln Riley at USC and Ryan Day at Ohio State are two names that keep popping up. Let’s examine whether these coaches genuinely feel the heat or it’s just the usual preseason hype.
Lincoln Riley: The USC Savior or a Trojan Horse?
On the surface, it seems absurd to suggest Lincoln Riley is on the hot seat. He led USC to a Pac-12 Championship appearance and coached Caleb Williams to a Heisman Trophy in his first season. But the Trojans stumbled to an 8-5 record in 2023. While still potent with Williams at the helm, the defense was a sieve, and the offense couldn’t overcome the defensive woes. The sting of losses to Notre Dame and UCLA still lingers (how do you not have your team “hyped” to play your two biggest rivals?), and some question whether Riley is the right man for the job.
So, is Riley’s seat hot?
Not really. Let’s be honest; he inherited a program in shambles. Rebuilding takes time, and Riley has made significant progress. The move to the Big Ten is a new ballgame, and he deserves a chance to adapt. His track record speaks for itself – the man knows how to develop quarterbacks and attract top talent. USC’s administration didn’t shell out millions for a quick fix; they’re invested in Riley’s long-term vision.
But, there’s always a ‘but’…
Ryan Day: The Buckeye Burden
Ryan Day’s resume at Ohio State is stellar: a 55-8 record and two Big Ten championships. But those three consecutive losses to Michigan? They’re a scarlet letter on his otherwise impressive tenure. The Buckeye faithful crave dominance, especially against their arch-nemesis. The pressure to beat Michigan and win a national championship is immense.
Is Day’s job in jeopardy?
Not yet. He’s consistently delivered success, and the team is primed for another strong season. The expanded College Football Playoff gives them more chances to contend for a title, even if they slip up against Michigan. Day’s track record and the program’s strength suggest he’s not on the hot seat…yet.
But the pressure is mounting…
The Bottom Line
Both Riley and Day are under the microscope. But for now, their seats are lukewarm at best. They have the talent, the resources, and the support to turn things around. The 2024 season will be a defining one for both coaches. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the hot seat rumors become a self-fulfilling prophecy? Only time will tell.
We’ve got a real head-scratcher on our hands, courtesy of Comcast Xfinity and their handling of the Big Ten Network’s new additions.
John Canzano over at the Bald Faced Truth Newsletter has been digging into this, and it’s not pretty.
The Bottom Line: Comcast is blacking out Big Ten Network games featuring Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC. Yes, you read that right. The very schools that jumped ship from the Pac-12, partly for better TV distribution, are now facing blackouts in their inaugural Big Ten season.
The Fumble: Comcast and the Big Ten Network are at odds over whether live games should be part of the basic cable package or require an upgraded sports tier. Comcast wants that extra $10 a month. The Big Ten Network? Not so much.
The Fallout: Fans are understandably furious. Many shelled out the extra cash based on Comcast’s assurances, only to find live games are MIA. We’re talking football, soccer, volleyball – the whole shebang.
The Bigger Picture: This isn’t just about a few missed games. It’s about broken promises, poor communication, and a major fumble on Comcast’s part. Remember those Pac-12 distribution woes that haunted fans for years? Yeah, this feels a bit like déjà vu.
The Silver Lining: Other providers like Hulu, YouTube TV, etc., aren’t having any issues. So, if you’re fed up with Comcast’s shenanigans, you’ve got options.
The Takeaway: Comcast needs to get its act together. Fast. This isn’t how you welcome new teams and their fans to the Big Ten family. Let’s hope they resolve this mess before the first football games kick off. Otherwise, they risk alienating a massive chunk of their customer base.
Stay tuned: We’ll keep you updated on this developing story. In the meantime, let’s hope Comcast sees the light and does right by its customers.
