College football's week 4 is in the books and we're beginning to see where this season is headed. It won't all follow the script from here; but I do believe some of the results we saw yesterday will impact moves made following (and even during) this season. Here are some thoughts...
Clemson's loss to FSU (without Jameis) makes it even more likely that Chad Morris will begin immediately once accepting the head coaching position at SMU. Every coach wants to be true to their current players and there are clear situations (like where you have a shot to play for the national championship) where you wouldn't even consider not coaching them; but this isn't that. If Morris is offered the position, and I think he will be, there really is no reason for either side for him to delay making the move.
Indiana, one week after losing at Bowling Green, upset a quality Missouri program that had just beaten UCF into the ground the prior week. The chirps were growing out there following the loss at BGSU that Wilson's run might not finish the season. Now in his fourth season, Wilson's teams have gone 1-11, 4-8, 5-7. This win at Missouri was big for the confidence of Wilson's team more than anything. A lot of season left to play and it feels like Wilson needs to get his team to at least 6 wins this season and there is a path there...
Paul Johnson didn't have a quiet off-season. There have been whispers everywhere. After struggling mightily to beat Georgia Southern last weekend, I'm not sure how many people thought GT was going to march into Lane Stadium and beat Virginia Tech; but they did just that. It was an odd ballgame; but you know what else it was...a "W" for Georgia Tech. Tech is 4-0 and the complaints about Paul Johnson are quieter...for now. With a full slate of ACC action + a closer at Georgia there is a whole lot of football left to play; but don't count Paul Johnson out. He's a good football coach.
Illinois nearly lost at home to Texas State. Texas State had the lead following the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters; but you know what they only give out the "W" and "L" at the end of the game and Illinois pulled together three scoring drives in the 4th quarter to get the win. I haven't seen Illinois play this season; but it's pretty clear that Bill Cubit was a great hire by Tim Beckman. Tim Beckman is now in his third season at the helm in Illinois (going 2-10 in 2012 and 4-8 in 2013). Feels like Beckman needs to get to 6 wins this season to have had a "successful" season. They've bagged three wins. Can they find 3 more? If they do, with that remainder, I'd call that a success.
Michigan lost to Utah in the Big House. Anyone else worried this season is spiraling away from Brady Hoke? Minnesota comes to the Ann Arbor this weekend. A loss in that one would seem to be a back-breaker.
Louisiana Lafayette is 1-3. Each of the past three seasons Hud has produced a 9-4 record at Lafayette. Does this slow start cool the "Hud is the next big thing" chatter? I think it does a bit. A slow start in year 1 or 2 seems logical many times. In year four, with a returning starter at quarterback? That is more of a head-scratcher. The remaining SunBelt schedule presents plenty of opportunities for wins; but is there something else happening here? I don't know; but if I'm wondering that, I suspect those on various "search committees" will too.
Paul Petrino's first season at Idaho ended 1-11. This second season hasn't gotten off well either. The Vandals are 0-3 and the road doesn't look very easy to get to a few wins. They finish with Troy in Idaho and at App State. Those well might be the only two games they have a real shot at.
I have a few more thoughts to add....but running late for Church. Will update later.