A "3" for Mike Shula is low (at least a 4), especially since he's been seen as a second-choice coach since day one. If Bama backslides even a little bit, that hotseat gets white hot. The effects of probation are now wearing off, and if Shula can't get it done, Bama fans impatient for wins will find someone who can and soon.
Bama fans say they are alright with 7 wins if injuries come...I don't believe it. Bama wins 7 games, Shula gets one last year
Cutcliffe is house hunting in Lexington. UK's will be the only job opening up after this season due to a firing. When (not if) UK hires him, look out. South Carolina can hoo-haw all they want about Visor Boy, but Cut at Kentucky is winner. Lexington is waiting for someone to raise Claiborne's legacy. Phat Phil's pipeline from Ohio will suddenly dry up with a real coach at UK. Vandy and Johnson is a long term marriage. They're not pulling the trigger anytime soon. He's competative and is slowly recapturing the Nashville talent. Alabama is saddled with Shula for while. He did a credible job recruiting this past season.
I think leaving ND for health reasons was a guise. He was interviewed recently and sounds OK. I think the anemic Irish offense would have hurt his reputation.
I don't think Kentucky steals many if any recruits from Tennessee. Especially kids that aren't from Kentucky and now that Louisville is in a more respectable conference, I don't see Kentucky doing anything for a long time.
Tennessee gets a nice cut from Ohio. Cutcliffe at UK would dramatically change the landscape. Yes, right now the likes of Murray State are out recuiting the Wildcats (they haven't done much after the Bluegrass Miracle; it's probably the start of the current spin they are in), but a change to someone like Cutcliffe would make all the difference in Lexington.
making it a kentucky is going .500 and limping in a bowl. no way KY recruiting will dramatically affect Tennessee's grip in the area. maybe a couple kids here or there at best.
