So where would the UF job rank? The big jobs I know are available are (in my suggested order):
USC
LSU
Washington
TCU
Virginia Tech
Miami (probably)
Texas Tech
Washington State
I guess there's a few other obvious possibilities. Does Texas cut Sark this soon after a 5-7 season, at best?
Who am I missing? I'd have to think UF would be a top 3 job out of the ones I listed. Top 4 if Texas pursues a change. Great year to be Napier, Freeze, Fickell, Chadwell, maybe Kiffin.
With conference realignments and playoff expansion coming. Many jobs will be thought of differently. Tcu and Washington will be better than Florida who will have to get thru Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, etc to have a chance. Better to go to another conference and dominate that slate and those programs have the money to pay competitively.
I would rank
USC, not best program available, just best combo of conference and school to make playoff.
LSU, lots of talent available, easy to recruit if your good.
TCU, great program, great facilities, easy conference in the future.
Washington, TCU without the facilities, their history has been forgotten like ours, but they used to be a very formidable program.
Florida, hardest conference, split recruiting areas, funky problems behind scenes.
Miami, could be good, if the right person comes in, NIL could unleash them. Weak conference, could jump Florida here.
TT.
VT.
WSU.
Plus FSU, PennSt could come open depending, and several others.