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The $38 Million Mistake: Why Kentucky Can't Fire Mark Stoops

Remember when everyone thought Kentucky football "figured it out"?

In 2022, Mark Stoops was the golden boy—the coach who did more with less, who made Kentucky relevant. So the university gave him $9 million per year through 2030. Then, literally the next day, Vanderbilt ended their 26-game SEC losing streak against UK. Since then? 14-19 overall, 6-19 against power conference opponents.

Now Kentucky is stuck. The buyout? $38 million. Due in full within 60 days.

This is what happens when athletic departments confuse "riding high" with "sustainable success." And it's a masterclass in how not to structure coaching contracts.

Read the full story at the Lexington Herald-Leader

SMU's Rhett Lashlee isn't chasing ghosts.

Despite rumors swirling about Arkansas (his alma mater), the Mustangs HC made it clear: he's locked in on what he's building in Dallas. "We're present and we're happy here," Lashlee told The Pony Express.

Translation? Stop asking.

Of course, he left the door cracked—"In life, you never say never"—but his focus is on winning ACC games and stacking recruiting classes (Top 25 in 2026, solid momentum in 2027).

The lesson: coaches who are actually leaving don't talk like this.

More on this from the Pony Express

Stanford's Andrew Luck just won the offseason.

The Cardinal GM announced a "Captain Andrew Luck" bobblehead giveaway—modeled after the legendary parody X account from his NFL days—with a video so good it reminds you why Luck is the smartest guy in the room.

The giveaway drops late November when Stanford hosts Notre Dame, and it's part of Luck's broader mission: re-engage the fanbase, elevate the program, and remind people Stanford football still exists.

This is how you build culture.

More Here

DEEP DIVE - GAME PREVIEW

Luke Fickell's QB Has A 5 TD, 5 INT Ratio Through 4 Games. Here's Why Michigan Forces 2 More Turnovers On Saturday And Fickell's Seat Goes From Hot To Volcanic

Saturday night, one coach survives.

The other's seat catches fire. Luke Fickell walks into Michigan Stadium with fans literally chanting "Fire Fickell" after Wisconsin's embarrassing 10-27 home loss to Maryland. Sherrone Moore just returned from a sign-stealing suspension, facing his own questions about whether he deserves the job. By 9 PM Saturday, one of these coaches will feel a lot better about his future.

The other? His seat might spontaneously combust.

The statistics tell you everything you need to know.

Wisconsin's offense is in complete collapse. They're averaging 20.8 points per game. They've scored only 24 total points in their last 2 games combined. Their rushing attack produces 117.8 yards at a pathetic 3.1 yards per carry. QB Danny O'Neil is throwing as many interceptions (5) as touchdowns (5). This isn't underperforming—it's an offensive meltdown.

Michigan's numbers paint a completely different picture.

They're scoring 35.0 points per game—a 14.2 point advantage over Wisconsin. Their rushing attack is dominant at 253.5 yards per game and 6.7 yards per carry. They force 2.0 turnovers per game compared to Wisconsin's 0.8. They're playing at home in The Big House with a hostile crowd.

Wisconsin has one statistical edge: elite rush defense allowing just 50 yards per game.

Here's why it won't be enough.

This game comes down to one critical battle. Michigan's dominant rushing attack versus Wisconsin's elite run defense. Something has to give. If Michigan rushes for 150+ yards, it's a blowout. If Wisconsin holds them under 100, the game stays competitive. If Michigan gets 100-130 yards, they win comfortably but Wisconsin hangs around until the fourth quarter.

The second battle? Wisconsin's turnover problem meeting Michigan's ball-hawking defense.

O'Neil's 1:1 TD-to-INT ratio is a ticking time bomb. Michigan forces 2 turnovers per game and thrives on creating short fields. Wisconsin cannot afford to turn the ball over more than once.

They will.

Here's exactly how Saturday plays out.

Wisconsin's defense keeps them in the game through halftime, trailing just 17-6 at the break. The third quarter shows some fight and they cut it to 24-13 with 12 minutes left. Then reality sets in. Wisconsin's offense can't sustain drives. O'Neil throws a backbreaking interception in Michigan territory. Michigan's running game wears down Wisconsin's defense in the fourth quarter.

Final score: Michigan 31, Wisconsin 13.

The key stat? Michigan rushes for 135 yards (below their average but enough to win) and Wisconsin commits two turnovers that lead directly to 14 Michigan points.

Confidence level: 70%.

For Fickell, this loss changes everything.

A loss drops Wisconsin to 2-3 with an 0-3 Big Ten record. Look at what's still coming on the schedule:

• vs #1 Ohio State

• @ #2 Oregon

• @ #8 Indiana

• vs #22 Illinois

Wisconsin could realistically finish 4-8 or 5-7.

Bowl eligibility becomes questionable. The "Fire Fickell" chants get louder with every loss. His hot seat becomes volcanic. For Moore, a dominant home win validates his approach after the suspension and silences the critics.

A loss? The questions intensify immediately.

Take Michigan -11.5 and lay the points.

Wisconsin's offense is too broken. Michigan's rushing attack is too dominant. The Big House crowd will be too loud on third downs. This game stays competitive until the fourth quarter, then Michigan pulls away.

One coach survives Saturday.

The other? His seat just got a whole lot hotter.

Clemson Is 1-3 And Desperate. North Carolina's Offense Averages 263 Yards Per Game. Here's Why Saturday's Matchup Is Uglier Than You Think—And Who Wins (31-14)

Most people think college football games between struggling teams don't matter.

They're wrong.

Saturday's ACC clash between Clemson (1-3) and North Carolina (2-2) serves as a referendum on two coaches under immense pressure. Clemson was supposed to compete for conference championships. Instead, they've lost three straight and can't score points. North Carolina hired Bill Belichick—the greatest NFL coach ever—and their offense is somehow worse, averaging just 263.5 yards per game.

Here's what the numbers tell us:

Clemson moves the ball (365.3 yards/game) but can't finish drives. They're averaging 18 points in losses. North Carolina can't move the ball OR score—they managed just 9 points against UCF and 14 against TCU. The offensive gap is massive: Clemson generates 101.8 more yards per game and 0.8 more yards per play.

The matchup that decides this game:

North Carolina's defense allows 344.5 yards per game and has been tormented by every decent opponent they've faced. Clemson's offense should dominate. If offensive coordinator Garrett Riley can't figure out how to score 30+ points against THIS defense, Dabo Swinney will have some big decisions to make.

My prediction: Clemson 31, North Carolina 14

Clemson is desperate. They need this win to salvage their season. UNC's offense is too broken to keep pace, even at home. Clemson finally gets back on track, but the real story is what happens next—because one win against a bad team doesn't fix the bigger problems both programs are facing.

Sometimes the most important games aren't the ones between top-10 teams.

They're the ones where coaches are fighting for their futures.

Garrett Riley Is Wasting Clemson's Talent—And Dabo Swinney Needs To Do Something About It

Clemson's offense should be dominant.

They have talent. They have athletes. They have a program with championship DNA. Instead, they're 1-3 and averaging just 18 points per game in losses. The problem isn't the players—it's offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who looks completely unprepared every single week.

Here's what Riley is getting wrong:

Riley's play-calling is predictable and uninspired. The passing game averages 249 yards per game but only 1.5 touchdowns. That's not execution—that's scheme. The rushing attack is even worse: 116.3 yards per game with just 1 touchdown. When your offense generates 5.7 yards per play but can't finish drives, your red zone package is broken. When you're losing the turnover battle (-0.5 per game), your game plan isn't putting players in position to succeed.

The difference between good coordinators and bad ones:

Good coordinators simplify the game for their players and put them in positions to make plays. Bad coordinators overcomplicate things, stick to stale scripts, and refuse to adjust when the defense figures them out. Riley is the latter. His offense looks confused, hesitant, and slow. That's coaching.

What Dabo needs to do:

The postgame mea culpas aren't cutting it anymore. "We'll get better" and "We need to execute" sound hollow when you're 1-3 and your offense can't score. Dabo needs to take control—call the plays himself, bring in a consultant, or make Riley figure it out in real-time with actual accountability. North Carolina's defense allows 344.5 yards per game and got torched by TCU and UCF. If Clemson can't put up 30+ points on Saturday, something has to change.

At some point, loyalty stops being a virtue and starts being negligence.

Dabo built this program on excellence—it's time to demand it from his offensive coordinator too.

THAT’S A WRAP

The Bottom Line:

Week 6 isn't just another Saturday.

It's the week where pressure turns into reality. Fickell walks into The Big House with his offense in shambles and his fanbase in revolt. Moore needs a statement win to silence doubters. Dabo's loyalty to Garrett Riley is being tested against a North Carolina defense that should get shredded.

The coaches who survive this weekend buy themselves time.

The ones who don't? The seat gets hotter.

Don't forget: Check out the Targeting Winners podcast for best bets and interesting takes on FBS college football programs. Because sometimes the sharpest insights don't come from the broadcast booth—they come from people who actually watch the tape.

Tuesday, we rerank all 136 FBS head coaches.

Where does your coach land after Week 6? Did Fickell's seat go from hot to volcanic? Did Moore prove he's the right guy? Did Dabo's win over UNC actually fix anything—or just delay the inevitable?

Check your inbox Tuesday to find out.

Because in college football, your ranking can change in one Saturday.