Now that we’re in the second half of the regular season, there’s no better time to take a look at some good – and not so good – coaches as we each pick one coach from the four Power Four conferences:
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ACC
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HOT: Mario Cristobal, Miami
In his first two seasons at MiamiCristobal was a disappointing 13-13, but things have changed dramatically in Year 3 – often when they change for the better – as the Hurricanes are 7-0 and a three-touchdown favorite over the rival State of Florida this weekend.
There have been some scares along the way, especially with last-second nail biters Virginia technology And Cal but the Hurricanes answered the bell last weekend with a 52-45 victory Louisville. There is a very solid path for Miami to finish undefeated heading into the ACC Championship Game.
Via a great portal addition at quarterback Cam Ward and elite high school recruiting in recent seasons has made Cristobal Miami one of the nation’s elite.
NOT: Mike Norvell, State of Florida
At the time it was a stunning loss Georgia Tech topped Florida State in Ireland to start the season. Looking back, this might have been the Seminoles’ best performance all season.
After a year in which FSU went undefeated during the regular season but was left out of the College Football Playoff after a star quarterback Jordan TravisDue to an untimely injury, the Seminoles completely collapsed.
They average just 15 points per game. Only 2.5 yards per carry. They scored just ten offensive touchdowns in seven games. They have just one win, a 14-9 squeaker over Cal. No team in the ACC has a worse record.
After two bad starting seasons for Norvell in Tallahassee, things appear to be back to normal at FSU: winning big. But now Norvell is 20-18 in ACC play during his time with the Seminoles, as they are 21-point underdogs entering this weekend’s rivalry game.
BIG 12
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HOT: Matt Campbell, The state of Iowa
After a nine-win season in 2020, The state of Iowa Things have been a bit quiet in recent seasons, but this could be Campbell’s best team. The offense is firing on all cylinders and the defense remains a major strength of the team.
We have encountered some nail biters Iowa And UCF last weekend in a thriller, but the Cyclones remain undefeated and ranked No. 10 nationally. Iowa State and BYU are the only undefeated teams left in the Big 12 and the Cyclones’ schedule indicates they could be undefeated heading into a late November showdown against Kansas State.
Before Campbell arrived in Ames, Iowa State suffered nine of 10 losing seasons. The Cyclones are now headed to the College Football Playoff with an offense full of exciting players.
NOT: Mike Gundy, State of Oklahoma
The only team in the Big 12 without a conference win is State of Oklahoma While the Cowboys looked better last week in a close loss to BYU, they were downright bad in the blowout losses West Virginia And State of Kansas the past few weeks. Oklahoma State also lost to Utah22-19, because the Utes had a freshman QB in Isaac Wilson and the offense has been so bad for them this season that OC Andy Louis resigned this weekend.
Gundy is desperately trying to figure out a tough quarterback situation because Alan Bowman throws too many interceptions – he has nine this season – and the coach went to Garret Rangel last week, but he was injured against BYU. The Cowboys also struggled to stop the run, giving up 5.7 yards per carry.
Oklahoma State is good enough – and Gundy is a good enough coach – to win games against Baylor, State of Arizona, TCU, Texas technology And Colorado left. But the Cowboys have been inconsistent, so it could be a tough finish as well.
BIG TEN
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HOT: Curt Cignetti, Indiana
The Big Ten has a pretty good run to start the season if the coach of the No. 1 team (Oregon) isn’t the best coach. But Cignetti has been incredible, almost unbelievable, so far in Indiana.
With so many smart and elite transfer portal additions, the Hoosiers have completely revitalized their roster and Cignetti is on a genius level at running a program. Indiana has not only recorded seven wins, but also seven double-digit victories, seven blowouts, including a 56-7 decision against Nebraska during the weekend.
The schedule has been on the light side and is getting tougher, but this is a program that, not counting the COVID year, has had one winning season in the last 15, and two in the last 28. Cignetti has been the Coach of the Year by far , Indiana football is the story of the year and who would have thought that?
NOT: Lincoln Riley, USC
Leading Minnesota by a touchdown heading into the fourth quarter, USC lost to the Golden Gophers by seven a few weeks ago. The Trojans led 20-6 at halftime Penn State only to lose 33-30 in extra time. USC led 21-7 Maryland at the half to lose 29-28 to the Terrapins last weekend.
When asked why his team can’t finish a game after the loss at Maryland, Riley replied, “I don’t know.”
Here’s what we do know: USC is a disappointing 3-4 and now Riley is 22-12 overall, 14-9 in conference play. In five seasons OklahomaRiley lost a total of 10 games.
SEC
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HOT: Mike Elko, Texas A&M
The only former coach Jimbo Visser had started 6-1 in the COVID year of 2020. Otherwise, it was one disappointment after another in College Station as the Aggies had everything to succeed but couldn’t get over the hump.
Elko’s first match op Texas A&M ended up being a flop – a 23-13 loss for Notre Dame – but since then the Aggies are undefeated and entering a huge game LSU this weekend. Kyle Field should rock. They were previously undefeated Missouri a few weeks ago and the Aggies are giving up less than 18 points per game.
NOT: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Only in the first year of Nick Saban era did Alabama losing two games so quickly in a season. Last year, the Crimson Tide’s second loss didn’t come until the College Football Playoff against the eventual champions Michigan. Saban had two undefeated seasons and six others with just one loss.
In his first season, DeBoer’s team lost to Tennessee last weekend in which Alabama – Alabama! – couldn’t run the ball. The Crimson Tide also had an unforgivable, unforgivable loss Vanderbilt a few weeks ago and then survived against South Carolina in a stretch Tide fans are not used to.
DeBoer has been a big winner throughout his coaching career, whether at Sioux Falls, Fresno State or Washington. But the Tide have Missouri and LSU in the coming weeks, and Alabama suddenly looks very beatable.
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