** From what I'm told, Florida is optimistic about their chance at landing Lane Kiffin. I've spoken with quite a few Florida folks over the past few days because of the game coming up and what I'll say is I think the Ole Miss folks who are optimistic about Kiffin staying are probably underestimating some of the ties, connections, and history there for Kiffin. So while the LSU job is one that a lot of people would take over Florida, the Gator folks I've spoken with believe there's a better than 50% chance that Lane ends up in Gainesville.
** Kiffin moving to Florida is probably the one move the increases Sumrall's chances of ending up in the SEC more than anything else. That prompts an opening at Ole Miss, a place where he has been an assistant coach, and it keeps LSU open. If you are a Kentucky fan who is hoping for a change sooner rather than later and you like the idea of Sumrall succeeding Stoops, I do think a Kiffin move to Florida is one thing that makes it a little less likely.
** The LSU job is still one worth keeping an eye on for Sumrall but I don't think it's the most likely outcome. The big fact there has been what you do, re: optics, after firing Brian Kelly. It seems like Joe Brady would be high on their wish list and they are going through Tier A options.
** It will be interesting to see if Auburn might keep DJ Durkin around as head coach beyond the rest of this year. What a lot of folks at Auburn are wondering is why you would buy Freeze out and have Durkin run it and then give it over to Sumrall. I could definitely see a good case for letting Sumrall have the job but a lot of Auburn people are looking at the prospective candidates for the job and wondering if you could go from Durkin to Sumrall or just let Durkin have it. He didn't do great at Maryland a bunch of years ago but has been a power conference head coach and a high level DC at Ole Miss, A&M, and Auburn since then.
** I have not heard anything substantively new when it comes to where this is going for Kentucky. After the Cats beat Auburn I did have a couple of people reach out and say things like, "Maybe folks will stop calling for Stoops job now," and it was coming from places that made me wonder.... Because what I was led to believe earlier was a willingness to have conversations about a change. If Kentucky were to beat Florida this weekend that's 4-5 with two SEC wins in a row.
** I'll report what I hear on any front. As of now, we have to keep talking about the carousel because Kentucky's circumstances are definitely relevant there. I believe there has been an agreement not to let related topics leak which makes me think there could still be stuff in the works. It's entirely possible they could be getting their ducks in a row, UK's side or even both sides, while seeing how the season plays out. Could be moving parts, or it could already be decided.
** Seeing Mitch on the field at Auburn didn't do a whole lot for me either way. He's the athletics director and nobody in that role is ever going to put himself in the position of a fan who wants a change publicly. He's going to support the coaches and players after a win no matter what's going to happen. The bigger question in my mind would be what a string of wins or positive play might do to Stoops' mentality; could it convince him that he could still get it right next year, etc.
