The college football hot seat watch puts James Franklin in the spotlight after a loss to Indiana and a daunting challenge awaiting with Ohio State coming to Happy Valley.
Do you ever wonder how Michael Myers would die at the end of every Halloween and still show up on time for work in the sequel? That’s what it’s like watching coaches that are repeat offenders on the hot seat make the same mistakes and still find their way on to the list each week without being sent to the cutting room floor.
It’s spooky season in college football this week and for some coaches, there are plenty of more frights than thrills upcoming. In a weird season, where some coaches have knocked out a big chunk of their schedule, others are just beginning there’s.
For some, it’s a culmination of their efforts to this point, and for others, they don’t really have to worry they just need to overcome a poor first week showing. Here are this week’s coaches on the hot seat.
College football hot seat watch entering Week 9
Gus Malzahn – Auburn
If anyone can relate to any of the 80 Halloween flicks right now, it’s Gus Malzahn. Auburn’s up and down performances have landed their head coach on the hot seat and their wins have seen them escape certain doom with each final gun.
The Tigers got away with a big one on the road against Ole Miss last week in a game they needed to win after a bad loss against South Carolina. This week, it’s Halloween at home as the Tigers get ready to take on the defending National Champion LSU Tigers.
Like Auburn, LSU is having their own up and down moments to begin the season. This is a pivotal game on the schedule for both programs. You get the feeling the winner is going to really benefit in a grueling schedule. The loser is going to add their third loss of the season. Malzahn may be able to escape Arkansas and Ole Miss, but can he do the same against Coach O?
Tom Herman – Texas
One of the most interesting games to watch for in Week 9 is the battle between Texas and No. 6 Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Longhorns are looking to add a signature win to their season after a bit of a bumpy start.
Tom Herman may not be the genius Austin believed him to be, but a coach can always flip a narrative real fast with a big win and a streak to follow. The Longhorns are coming off a win over Baylor after their loss to rival Oklahoma.
That loss is going to sting for some time, but beating the sixth-ranked Cowboys would show the Longhorns have put that in the rear-view mirror and maybe, just maybe Texas can make a late-season run in the conference.
Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
It’s beating a dead horse at this point when you surround the narrative of Mike Gundy’s offseason and the fact he’s been at Oklahoma State for 15 years. Add in a less than inspiring win against Tulsa to begin the year and Gundy had a lot of things working against him.
However, he’s done exactly what he’s needed to do so far and that keeps his team perfect and they’re ranked within the top ten. The best way to put all the talk in the distance is to keep on rolling and a win over Texas at home would be another step in the right direction.
This is the year for the Cowboys to take command in the Big 12 with Oklahoma down and Texas already suffering two losses. Gundy can’t let an opportunity like this slip through the fingertips.
James Franklin – Penn State
No, James Franklin isn’t getting fired and probably doesn’t warrant being on the hot seat nor is he. He’s listed this week because, after a tough loss against Indiana to open Big Ten play, Penn State hosts No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday.
After receiving and rightfully earning a big extension, Franklin probably doesn’t want two straight losses as a way of showing thanks. In all likelihood, there’s going to be two straight losses regardless.
However, this has been a growing theme for some coaches when facing powerhouse programs and that is don’t get blown out. If the Nittany Lions can fight to the final whistle and put up a good showing, it’s something they can right the ship with to build momentum.
They’re probably feeling a little cheated right now after last week and Franklin should hope that lights a fire in this one. A blowout loss to the Buckeyes would make 2020 feel like its over before it even started.
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