1. I don’t want to get on a soapbox, but …

Let’s leave no doubt about the job and expectations from the jump.

The last time Texas A&M hired a coach, Jimbo Fisher was presented with a plaque that declared the Aggies national champions.

Fill in the year, here.

Make no mistake, this is the bar for the next Aggies coach. You don’t pay Fisher $76.8 million to not coach — after 6 years of not being able to fill in the year — and not expect a massive upgrade at the position.

If we’re basing the Texas A&M job purely on the ability to win, it’s 1 of the top 5 jobs in college football. Your recruiting base is the talent-rich state of Texas, and you’re 75 miles from one of the best large cities (and suburbs) of high school football (Houston).

The administration spends whatever it takes to make it work, and the collectives have deeper pockets than any other. Make all the jokes you want about oil money, it’s real.

Years ago, after a breakout season in College Station, Kevin Sumlin sat in his temporary office at Kyle Field and explained to me how the school was paying for more than $400 million in renovations to the storied but aged facility.

“When oil prices go up,” Sumlin said, “A lot of people are happy.”

That’s how you buy out an $76.8 million contract of a failed coach, and how you spend whatever it takes to hire another coach. Key words there: whatever it takes.

This isn’t the time for AD Ross Bjork and president Mark Welsh III to settle. Texas rolls into the SEC in 2024, and could be coming off a Big 12 Championship and a Playoff appearance.

Texas A&M hasn’t won a conference championship since 1998, and hasn’t won a national title since 1939. So yeah, they’re hungry.

So hungry that they’d eat nearly $80 million in buyout cash.

2. The contenders

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss

Why it works: The offense, the history of developing quarterbacks (hello, Conner Weigman), and a different and dynamic face of the program.

We’re a long way from Kiffin being fired on the tarmac in his last mega job (USC), where the program was crippled by NCAA sanctions from the previous staff. What he has accomplished at Ole Miss can’t be denied.

The Rebels are 2 games from winning 10 for the 2nd time in 3 years. Ole Miss has 4 10-win seasons since 1963 — and Kiffin has 1.

Why it doesn’t: Kiffin isn’t for everyone — but he’s clearly changing. He has learned to give more to his coordinators, and be more of a CEO/face of the program coach.

You want offense? You’ll get offense.

Dan Lanning, Oregon

Why it works: Because Lanning might be the closest thing to Kirby Smart the Aggies can get.

He has done a remarkable job at Oregon in less than 2 seasons, winning 19 of 23 games and rebuilding QB Bo Nix’s uneven career and Oregon’s shaky defense.

He could have the Ducks in the Playoff in his 2nd season as a head coach, and will bring the Nick Saban/Kirby Smart process to College Station. He also knows recruiting in the SEC after spending 4 seasons with Smart.

Why it doesn’t: Why leave what you’ve built and not reap the rewards of your hard work?

Lanning can reach the Playoff and/or win a national title easier in the Big Ten (beginning in 2024) than he can in the SEC. He also may be waiting for a better SEC job (see: Alabama).

Mike Elko, Duke

Why it works: A former DC under Fisher, he knows College Station and fits perfectly with the hard-working, overachieving mentality on campus.

His 2 seasons at Duke have been impressive. Not just because he has rebuilt a defense and brought speed and athleticism to the football building.

But he has developed an elite quarterback (Riley Leonard) and shown when the QB is healthy, the offense is as dangerous as any in the ACC.

Why it doesn’t: It’s a completely different lift in the SEC than the ACC, and he’s 15-8 in 23 career games as a head coach.

While that’s impressive at Duke, he’s not dealing with the week to week grind of playing teams that can beat you every week in the SEC.

Do you want to fire Fisher, and then hire an assistant coach of his who left 2 years earlier?

Kalen DeBoer, Washington

Why it works: The former NAIA coaching legend has crushed it with the Huskies, winning 21 of 23 career games with the No. 7 (2022) and No. 5 (2023) scoring offenses in the nation.

He has rebuilt the career of Michael Penix Jr., and Washington is unbeaten and 3 games from reaching the Playoff.

Why it doesn’t: Why would he (or Lanning) leave in the middle of a Playoff run? If Oregon State beats Washington this week, that might change the dynamic.

Chris Klieman, Kansas State

Why it works: He knows how to win championships. He won multiple national titles at FCS North Dakota State, and won the Big 12 in 2022 at Kansas State.

Two key things that make Klieman a fantastic candidate: He has dealt with unrealistic expectations (North Dakota State) and thrived, and he has worked with less and made more at K-State.

His teams are smart, disciplined and don’t hurt themselves. Give him elite recruits, and how good does it look?

Why it doesn’t: He may not be the sexy splash hire fans are clamoring for, and he more than likely won’t win the press conference.

3. The others

There, of course, are the fallbacks. Those who could be hired if there are big swings and no connections.

Jonathan Smith, Oregon State

Why it works: His offenses are exciting and dangerous. He’s young (44), he’s relatable to recruits, and he’s a former walk-on turned championship quarterback at Oregon State.

His coaching career is quickly beginning to mirror his playing career. Since 2022, the Beavers have won 18 of 23 games and could have back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history.

Why it doesn’t: He has spent his entire career on the West Coast, as a player and a coach. How does he consistently recruit in the SEC footprint?

Mike Norvell, Florida State

Why it works: Look at the FSU job. He followed Fisher and Willie Taggart, and inherited FSU at its lowest point in nearly 50 years.

Now the Noles are 3 games from advancing to the Playoff. An elite recruiter (high school and transfer portal), and a passionate face of the program.

Why it doesn’t: It might be too soon to take another FSU coach.

Jeff Traylor, UTSA

Why it works: A Texas high school coaching legend, he knows the recruiting footprint and would continue Texas A&M’s recruiting success.

In 4 seasons at UTSA — his only college job — Traylor is 37-13 and 30-8 in his last 38 games. A proven recruiter and winner, and a Texas native who would rally the fan base.

Why it doesn’t: Is he Billy Napier, 2.0?

Jedd Fisch, Arizona

Why it works: Finally got his shot as an FBS head coach, and has turned around a moribund program at Arizona.

Wildcats are 7-3 in Fisch’s 3rd season, and all 3 losses were winnable: a 7-point overtime loss at Mississippi State, a 7-point loss to unbeaten Washington and a triple overtime 2-point loss to USC.

In a long career as an assistant in college football and the NFL, Fisch has coached under Steve Spurrier, Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, Sean McVay and Bill Belichick.

Why it doesn’t: While he may have the coaching chops, it’s a difficult sell to a rabid fanbase.

Bobby Slowik, OC, Houston Texans

Why it works: A wild card. He’s 36, and was out of coaching and working as a scout for Pro Football Focus for 3 years before San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hired him as a quality control coach.

He worked under Shanahan and Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel until 2022, when new Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans named him offensive coordinator.

His work this season with rookie QB CJ Stroud has been remarkable, as has his play-calling. The Texans won 3 games in 2022 and already have 5 wins this season.

The offense was 31st in the NFL in 2022 and is currently 5th. A long shot, yes — but a chance to get in on the ground floor of something unique.

Why it doesn’t: Slowik has never been a head coach, and only a coordinator for less than 1 season.

4. There’s no avoiding it now

We all know how this thing works. The Heisman Trophy isn’t about the best player in college football, it’s typically about the best player on one of the best teams in college football.

This, of course, is ridiculous (and I’m a Heisman voter). It’s also ridiculous that any Heisman voter could watch LSU QB Jayden Daniels and not see that he is clearly the best player in college football.

Michael Penix Jr. is having a terrific season, so is Marvin Harrison Jr. So, too, are Jordan Travis and Bo Nix.

No quarterback in FBS history had ever run for more than 200 yards and passed for more than 350 until last weekend in Baton Rouge — when Daniels ran for 234 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries (19.5 ypc.), and threw for 372 yards and 3 TDs on 26 attempts (14.3 yards per attempt) in a win over Florida.

Those absolutely stupid-good numbers — accounting for 606 yards and 5 TDs in 1 game — aren’t that far off from what Daniels has accomplished the entire season.

In 10 games, he has 3,164 passing yards and 30 TDs (only 4 INTs), and has rushed for 918 yards and 8 TDs. No other player at any position is remotely close to those numbers.

But in the Playoff era, only Caleb Williams (2022) and Lamar Jackson (2016) won the Heisman and didn’t play for teams that advanced to the Playoff. Remember, voting officially ends after Championship Week, when the Playoff teams are selected.

Williams and Jackson both put up huge numbers: Williams for a USC team that was 1 win from advancing to the Playoff, and Jackson — and here’s the key for Daniels — on a 3-loss team headed nowhere.

5. The Weekly 5

Five picks against the spread.

  • Georgia (-10.5) at Tennessee
  • Kentucky (Pick) at South Carolina
  • Florida at Missouri (-10)
  • Southern Miss at Mississippi State (-14)
  • FIU at Arkansas (-26)

Last week: 5-0.

Season: 34-21.

6. Ask and you shall receive

An NFL scout analyzes a draft-eligible SEC player. This week: Missouri OT Javon Foster.

“He has a nasty streak that I really like. I don’t know that he’s technically there just yet. His mechanics are a work in progress. His sets, his kick. He relies too much on his hands, and that’s not a bad thing all the time. He has those big, heavy and powerful hands. He could clean up mechanically and be a solid right tackle in our league. He could play the left side in a pinch, too.”

7. Powered Up

This week’s Power Poll, and 1 big thing.

1. Georgia: Quietly, consistently, Georgia has found a run game with RBs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, who are averaging 6 yards a carry and have 17 TDs.

2. Alabama: The improvement of QB Jalen Milroe, week after week, has been a revelation. The offense is dangerous and dynamic — a long way from Week 3 against USF.

3. Missouri: Beat Florida and Arkansas, and the Tigers are the perfect team for a New Year’s 6 bowl: a hot team, a fan base craving big things.

4. Ole Miss: The size of the Georgia loss wasn’t an anomaly. If Ole Miss played Alabama — the other SEC elite — now, would be much worse than what happened in September.

5. LSU: The lost opportunity this season is magnified week after week with the play of Daniels. A decent defense, and the season is a different story.

6. Tennessee: Without question, the worst loss in the Josh Heupel era. Nothing worked on either side of the ball heading into a difficult game against Georgia.

7. Texas A&M: Aggies are bowl eligible and found a serviceable backup quarterback. Other than that, who knows how this thing ends?

8. Kentucky: An inconsistent season can be saved with wins over South Carolina and rival Louisville. Another 8- and possibly 9-win finish.

9. Auburn: Let’s not make too much of what it is: a big win over a struggling team. But still, another step. This team could win 8 games (including the bowl game) — a remarkable first year under coach Hugh Freeze.

10. Arkansas: The ugly loss to Auburn might be too much to overcome for coach Sam Pittman. The expanded SEC in 2024 has everyone rethinking.

11. Florida: Another game, another “life lesson.” Imagine how much more can be absorbed after 2 more big losses.

12. Mississippi State: It’s not a heavy lift to get out of coach Zach Arnett’s contract (about $4.5 million), and any ensuing job Arnett takes, his salary would be subtracted from the buyout.

13. South Carolina: Gamecocks found the Vanderbilt elixir. Are home games against Kentucky and Clemson winnable? Why not.

14. Vanderbilt: Commodores have 2 weeks to prepare to try to end a 9-game losing streak at Tennessee. Which is to say, the Vandy administration has 2 weeks to figure out if it wants to continue with coach Clark Lea.

8. Ask and you shall receive

Matt: The season is over. Should Josh Heupel just start Nico Iamaleava the next 2 games and get him valuable time behind center before next season? — Harold Donald, Nashville.

Harold:

A couple of things are in play here. You can’t throw Iamaleava, the future of your offense, into a game (vs. Georgia) where he’s playing the best defense in college football.

If he has to play because of injury, that’s a different thing. But throwing him in there because there’s no chance to win the SEC East Division just doesn’t fit. Especially when Joe Milton III — if the Vols play a complete game around him — can do enough to win the game.

There’s little doubt now that Milton has hit his ceiling. He’s a solid option, but not a difference-maker like Hendon Hooker. Milton has 2 throws: deep balls and quicks to the field or boundary.

He hasn’t made strides as a 2nd level thrower, and that’s where the Vols’ offense has struggled. Tennessee is the No. 2 rushing offense in the SEC, so Milton has plenty of support.

He’s averaging a pedestrian 7.8 yards per attempt, and 3 of his 5 INTs have come on 3rd-down throws. He has 8 TDs and 5 INTs in SEC games.

9. Numbers

21. It has taken 10 games, but Georgia has finally found a legit 3rd option at receiver in Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett. Why is that important?

Because No. 1 receiver Ladd McConkey has been dealing with a back injury all season, and TE Brock Bowers is working his way back from an ankle injury. Lovett is now becoming a dependable — and dangerous — option for QB Carson Beck with critical games remaining in the regular season and postseason.

In the past 4 games, Lovett has 21 catches for 265 yards (12.6 ypc.) and 2 TDs. While those numbers aren’t exactly All-SEC caliber, they’ll grow as Beck’s confidence in him grows.

Lovett averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season at Missouri and will move closer to that number over the remainder of the season.

10. Quote to note

Florida coach Billy Napier: “I think we can help (players). I think there’s opportunities for us to do some things strategically, maybe put them in better position.”