What are we going to do with you, Wisconsin Badgers? For as long as Luke Fickell continues to sit on his iron throne of a hot seat, Badgers fans are left feeling completely helpless about the sad state of their once-proud football program. With an athletic department lacking the courage of even Auburn, we have to wonder how much longer this thing will be allowed to continue under Fickell's guidance.
Truth be told, this thing may be so far gone that Wisconsin may be left with no choice but to fire Fickell. How can the university possible package a potential 2-10 (0-9) season as something worth investing money in under the current regime? Should Wisconsin lose out, the university needs to make a move. If the Badgers somehow win one of their final four games, maybe Fickell can stay?
In the meantime, maybe we can redirect some of our utter disdain for what is going on by looking at who all come become available? Yes, James Franklin is available now. Potentially Jason Eck can be poached by way of New Mexico after the season. What we are looking at now is quality candidates who are biding their time on a series of playoff pretenders. As soon as they are out, they may come.
In the vein of hate-watching, Wisconsin fans should root against these schools for their team's gain.
5. South Florida Bulls
South Florida Bulls top candidate: Head coach Alex Golesh
Even though the South Florida Bulls are probably not going to the College Football Playoff at 6-2, ESPN's Football Power Index gives them a 26.2-percentage chance of making it in out of the Group of Five this year. It is the third-best odds of anyone out of the Group of Five behind North Texas (28.8) and James Madison (27.4), as well as a little bit ahead of a presumptive frontrunner in Memphis (19.9).
Regardless, it feels like Alex Golesh's final year in Tampa. He will have options. The former Tennessee offensive coordinator could work in pretty much every Power Four league. Golesh went to school in the Midwest at Ohio State. While he will be a candidate at open jobs like Arkansas, Auburn, Florida and even Virginia Tech, he may also be a candidate at Wisconsin if the job were to open up here soon.
Earlier in the year Wisconsin may have been a real landing spot for Golesh, but he has better options.
4. USC Trojans
USC Trojans top candidate: Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn
The USC Trojans enter the early part of Week 11 with a 17-percent chance to make the playoff, per FPI. Lincoln Riley's team has somewhat overachieved this season. They are off to a strong 6-2 start. This includes a big win over Michigan. Their two losses are to Illinois in Big Ten play, as well as to rival Notre Dame in the non-conference. If USC wins out, the Trojans stand a real chance at a playoff berth.
The candidate Wisconsin may want is USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn. He has taken what made him a well-thought-of defensive coordinator at UCLA and brought it with him to USC. Because defense wins games in the Big Ten, Lynn could be a viable option for Wisconsin. Even though he has major coaching pedigree from his father Anthony, this still feels like a risky hire for the Badgers here.
This could either be like Notre Dame hiring Marcus Freeman, or Purdue hiring Ryan Walters recently.
3. Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes top candidate: Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman
Until proven otherwise, the Miami Hurricanes are never going to overcome the Mario Cristobal of it all. He loves to have his teams overlook lesser opponents all the time. No team stumbles in obvious trap games quite like his Hurricanes do. After falling on the road to SMU, Miami has a 15-percent chance to make the playoff now, per FPI. That is about as many interceptions Carson Beck has thrown so far...
The potential candidate for Wisconsin to watch is Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. His side of the ball is not why the Hurricanes lost those two league games to Louisville and now SMU. It has been a slow and steady climb for him as a football coach, but he could be ready for his next big opportunity. If offered the gig, he might take it. Hetherman has coached at Rutgers and Minnesota.
While he is not a sexy hire, Hetherman's work experience and success gives him a strong foundation.
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets top candidate: Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner
No team suffered a bigger blow to their playoff dreams than the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets did last week. After an 8-0 start to begin the season, the Jackets stumbled vs. North Carolina State. Since Georgia Tech does not have a great strength of schedule, they might be out of it with a loss to either Georgia at regular-season's end, or potentially maybe even before that. This team has a finite ceiling.
While Brent Key could be had for the right dollar amount, he is not as inclined to leave his alma mater as his offensive coordinator might be. Buster Faulkner did not play at Georgia Tech, but he has coached all over the southeast. Yes, it may be a culture shock for him to come to Madison, but the guy knows offense. Furthermore, he has done amazing things with Haynes King as his quarterback.
Rather than giving Fickell all of these extra resources, give it to an offensive mind who can win big.
1. James Madison Dukes
James Madison Dukes top candidate: Head coach Bob Chesney
Of the teams listed on this article, the James Madison have the best odds to make the playoff now at 27.4. This is ahead of South Florida (26.2), Georgia Tech (22.7), USC (17.0) and Miami (15.0). The Dukes may end up making it into the playoff by winning the Sun Belt. They need to win out to be 12-1 by the time we get there. It also needs the AAC to self-cannibalize and for the Mountain West to fade.
Yes, the best candidate for the Wisconsin job out there to be had among these series of College Football Playoff pretenders is JMU head coach Bob Chesney. He may only be in his second year at Harrisonburg, but we all know JMU is a hotbed for coaching talent. His predecessor is crushing it at Indiana in Curt Cignetti. Chesney was at Holy Cross two years ago. He may leave JMU for Wisconsin.
If Wisconsin does not hire him, another Power Four team like Virginia Tech or even Penn State might.