I'm wondering about Lincoln Riley to Michigan. It has been mentioned in the media. I don't believe his Frosh heavy young team will fare great next season. They are losing some key upper-classman to NFL/graduation and some already in portal. Compared to this year, next season's schedule is brutal: IN, PSU and Wisco away; ND site TBD; OSU and OR at home. No NE, Purdue, Mich St or NW on the schedule. Except for MI, Riley has not beat a top-tier B1G team and he hates the travel. In fact, just due to youth they may drop some games to some middling B1G teams, as occurred in 2024. Riley has a huge QB decision--Maivia or Longstreet, and one probably transfers. I don't see 9-3 being possible next season, 8-4 may be a stretch, and 7 or less he is on the hot seat.
If SC falters next season, they are on the hook for an enormous buy-out--$75M if SC decides to go in another direction? Jen Cohen may let Riley out of a portion of his departure penalty, MI has the $$ to pay it, and SC is no longer under the Riley buy-out liability. Riley/MI get a QB guru for Underwood, they have experienced guys returning and Riley may peel off some players from the #1 HS class. MI does not have the roster space for all of them. At MI, IMO Riley would have a better chance of reaching the upper echelon of the B1G sooner rather than later. I think SC's current plan is a 2-3 year build-out.
I'll be interested to see about DeBoar, however unless he knows he cannot cut it at Bama or the boosters unhappy behind the scenes, I doubt he leaves immediately. DeBoar forgo's the CFP, and Bama has a decent 10 win team, thus have a fighting chance at a Natty. For MI, they need to make the deal ASAP for stability reasons. If MI waits they are in limbo during the portal period--MI may lose guys or miss the portal window if a new coach arrives late and has to build a staff. How are they going to do roster evals/retention plus portal evals during this hurricane? For DeBoar's the big question is whether his AC's come with him. If they do not, it is DeBoar building a staff during the portal period. I have a feeling some of the experienced AC's the MI staff are toast to the extent they either had knowledge or should of had knowledge of Moore's actions plus the previous scandal; and many others probably depart as they are 2024/2025 hires. A new HC may sweep them out anyways.