Today: Auburn hot board, coaching carousel intel, CFP + bowl projections, and the latest on the Penn State search.

~6 minute read (1,525 words)

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Auburn fires Hugh Freeze: What's next on The Plains?

Jimbo Fisher, James Franklin, Jon Sumrall

Auburn has made another stunning move in the coaching carousel, firing Hugh Freeze on Sunday after a 10-3 loss to Kentucky dropped the Tigers to 4-5. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Freeze's dismissal ends a rocky three-year tenure in which Auburn went 15-19 overall and 6-16 in SEC play. The Tigers opened this year with promise before spiraling into five losses in six games, their offense sputtering again despite a top-25 defense. Auburn will owe Freeze roughly $15.8 million, and he'll get paid for several more years under his deal.

Athletic director John Cohen confirmed the firing Sunday, calling Freeze "a man of integrity" and thanking him for his investment in Auburn. The search for the school's 30th head coach begins immediately.

"Was the personnel not good enough, or was the coaching not good enough? The truth is, it doesn't matter." —Ari Wasserman

Freeze's downfall, as Josh Pate put it, came down to one position: quarterback. Auburn never found stability under center, cycling through players and failing to find the right fit to make Freeze's offense click. It was the simplest answer to why things never worked at Auburn.

Off the field, Freeze faced his own challenges. He revealed in February that he was battling prostate cancer, choosing to delay surgery until after the season. His final statement Sunday reflected gratitude, thanking Auburn's players, staff, and fans while urging them to support Durkin and the team down the stretch.

The attention now turns to who's next. Auburn remains one of the sport's most resource-rich and high-pressure jobs, and the candidate pool is deep.

Auburn hot board

Jon Sumrall, Tulane: The former Troy coach has a 38-10 career record and deep ties to Alabama's recruiting scene. Known for player development and balanced roster building through both the portal and high school ranks.
Jimbo Fisher, former Texas A&M HC: The 2013 national champion has 128 career FBS wins and extensive SEC experience. After a year as an analyst, Fisher is eager to return to coaching. His track record with quarterbacks and recruiting pedigree make him an appealing veteran option.
James Franklin, former Penn State HC: Posted six double-digit win seasons in Happy Valley and proved he can win in the SEC at Vanderbilt. Could quickly restore Auburn's national profile.
Brent Key, Georgia Tech: The former Alabama assistant has turned Georgia Tech into a top-10 team built on discipline and line-of-scrimmage toughness. A strong recruiter and program stabilizer, Key's stock has surged amid this year's breakout in Atlanta.

See all 9 names on the short list.

COACHING CAROUSEL

Hot seat intel: Latest at Florida State, Kentucky, and more

Mike Norvell, Mark Stoops, Jonathan Smith

The last three Sundays have brought jaw-dropping change to the college football landscape with Penn State, Florida, and LSU all making moves. This week, Auburn joined that group, firing Hugh Freeze following a home loss to Kentucky. The ripple effects of that decision will be felt across the sport as the coaching carousel gains more momentum heading into mid-November.

Here's the latest intel On3 is hearing on key jobs and coaches after Week 10.

🍢 Florida State

Pressure was high on Mike Norvell to deliver a statement win at home against Wake Forest, and the Seminoles responded with a 42-7 blowout. Two weeks ago, a crushing loss at Stanford had major boosters pushing for change. Saturday's win likely cools things temporarily, shifting conversations to the end of the season. FSU needs two more wins for bowl eligibility, but Norvell's $50 million buyout remains a hurdle. One source close to the situation told On3 the victory "doesn't change anything" regarding his long-term future.

🔵 Kentucky

Buzz around Mark Stoops' job status had intensified in recent weeks, but the Wildcats' win over Auburn quieted speculation for now. Sources told On3 that any decisions about Stoops' future likely won't be made until after the 2025 season. Kentucky sits at 3-5 with four games left, and reaching bowl eligibility could go a long way toward securing stability. Stoops' buyout remains substantial at more than $37 million.

🟢⚪️ Michigan State

Jonathan Smith's seat is getting warmer after a 3-6 start capped by an overtime loss at Minnesota. He is now 3-12 in Big Ten play since taking over, and frustration is mounting in East Lansing. Smith continues to push for the resources needed to rebuild the roster, but patience may be wearing thin. Michigan State closes the season against Penn State, Iowa, and Maryland, and whether Smith gets a third year could depend on how the Spartans finish.

Get all the intel from Pete Nakos.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Brett McMurphy's updated College Football Playoff, bowl projections

As the calendar turns to November, it's a stark reminder that only four more weeks remain in the regular season, with a fifth if you count conference title games. Then comes the postseason: the College Football Playoff and dozens of bowl matchups across the country. So who's headed where? Brett McMurphy has the answers in his latest projections for Week 11.

College Football Playoffs

McMurphy's latest bracket features familiar heavyweights and a few new faces as the expanded playoff nears its debut. In the first round (Dec. 19 and 20), Georgia draws Memphis, Ole Miss hosts Oregon, Notre Dame travels to Texas Tech, and BYU faces Louisville. Quarterfinal matchups include Ohio State vs. Ole Miss in the Rose Bowl, Alabama vs. Georgia in the Orange Bowl, Texas A&M vs. Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, and Indiana vs. Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.

From there, McMurphy projects Ohio State and Alabama to clash in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal, while Texas A&M and Indiana meet in the Peach Bowl. His championship matchup pits No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Texas A&M, with the Aggies hoisting the trophy on Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens.

Notable bowl games

Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 19): Florida State vs. USF
Fenway Bowl (Dec. 27): NC State vs. Tulane
Pop-Tarts Bowl (Dec. 27): Georgia Tech vs. Houston
Gator Bowl (Dec. 27): Miami vs. Tennessee
Texas Bowl (Dec. 27): TCU vs. Mississippi State
Music City Bowl (Dec. 30): Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska
Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31): Texas vs. Michigan
Liberty Bowl (Jan. 2): LSU vs. Kansas State

Read Brett McMurphy's full postseason projections.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

Penn State coaching search intel: Latest on search for James Franklin's replacement

When Penn State fired James Franklin, two names immediately surfaced as top contenders: Indiana's Curt Cignetti and Nebraska's Matt Rhule. Since the job opened on Oct. 12, both coaches have signed contract extensions, a clear sign they are not leaving for State College.

Athletic director Pat Kraft has taken a deliberate approach to the search for Franklin's successor, but with Rhule and Cignetti off the board, the candidate pool has shifted. Names On3 continues to hear from sources include Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz, and Louisville's Jeff Brohm.

Lea has quietly built one of the most impressive turnarounds in the SEC, guiding Vanderbilt to a 7-2 start this season. Once an overlooked candidate, he is now viewed as a top name in the search. Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee told On3 the school is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep him.

Elko, meanwhile, has Texas A&M off to an 8-0 start in his second year and positioned for a College Football Playoff berth. It is unclear whether he would leave College Station, where he benefits from elite NIL resources, but his New Jersey roots and 32-14 career record make him a natural fit for Penn State.

Drinkwitz and Brohm remain two of the hottest names in this year's carousel. Drinkwitz is 56-27 as an FBS head coach and has turned Missouri into a steady SEC contender. Brohm's name is also tied to openings at Florida and Auburn, but Penn State remains in the mix. He has proven he can do more with fewer resources, guiding Purdue and Louisville to major success, including a Big Ten championship game appearance.

Get the latest here.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I came out of high school as a two-star recruit and redshirted my first year at Houston while backing up Kevin Kolb.
I went on to become only the second player in school history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season, leading the nation in total offense in 2008 and helping my team win its first bowl game since 1980.
By the end of my career, I held the all-time NCAA records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions, earning Conference USA MVP honors twice and winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy two times.

Answer at the bottom.

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