After a surprisingly active 2020 college football coaching cycle amid the coronavirus pandemic, industry sources pointed to three jobs that could send the 2021 carousel spinning: USC, LSU and Michigan.
USC gave the carousel its first push on Sept. 13, dumping Clay Helton after only two games and jump-starting its search. While Jim Harbaugh and Michigan are off to a 6-0 start and ranked No. 8, LSU could soon be joining USC in the deep waters of the coaching market. On Saturday night, Ed Orgeron's team trailed 21-0 and 35-7 in a noncompetitive 42-21 loss at Kentucky. The game felt like a breaking point in the Coach O era.