There already are eight FBS head coaching vacancies, including one in the SEC. Here’s a mid-season ranking, best to worst:

1. USC

This job isn’t what it was just a few years ago, but it’s still USC, it’s still in Los Angeles, and the Trojans still are capable landing just about any 5-star it covets. And it’s still the most attractive job opening in college football.

Yes, that’s something we’ve heard too many times in recent years.

Though Steve Sarkisian left the program in shambles, the win over undefeated Utah last week shows this team isn’t ready to give up the top spot in the Pac-12.

2. South Carolina

Replacing Steve Spurrier will not be easy for anybody. The Head Ball Coach won games and owned the press conference. Imagine having to follow that up? Spurrier leaves Columbia No. 1 all-time in wins with a list of program firsts almost as long as the field.

Typically you don’t want to be the guy after The Guy, but this is in the SEC, where elite recruits want to play, and it’s the second-best opening to date.

3. Miami

There’s no doubt the Hurricanes have the history most coaches dream about. The problem is just about everything else.

With uber-talented South Florida recruits heading elsewhere, and one of the worst game-day experiences in all of college football, many see this as the biggest fixer-upper in the group.

The U isn’t what it used to be. Current high school seniors hadn’t even started playing football the last time the Hurricanes won the national title. Keeping those kids at home is priority No. 1 for the next coach.

4.  Illinois

After a surprise appearance in the 2007 Rose Bowl, where they got hammered by USC, the Fighting Illini have yet to finish better than 7-6. They’re 34-53 since ’07.

They were 12-25 but improving under Tim Beckham and survived his preseason firing to start this year 4-3.

With Big Ten schools like Iowa (7-0) and Northwestern (6-2) tearing it up this season, the conference has rarely looked more attractive.

5. Maryland

Though Maryland remains one of the smaller programs in the Big Ten, the team has shown a little life in recent years generating such stars as WR Breshad Perriman and recent NFL-standout WR Stefon Diggs.

It won’t become the shoe-sponsored Oregon of the East, but Under Armour’s money doesn’t hurt, either.

6. Minnesota

Unlike most of the teams on this list, Minnesota lost its head coach because of medical reasons. The Gophers played well under Jerry Kill, finishing with back-to-back winning seasons. In a Big Ten that continues to get deeper, Minnesota could be a nice stepping stone for a young head coach.

7. UCF 

Central Florida has attracted and groomed big name stars from the state of Florida, most notably Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. It’s location — Orlando — certainly helps. Unfortunately, an 0-8 season this year has completely stunted the growth of this newer program, but with a 31-9 record from 2012-2014 there’s certainly potential in Central Florida.

8. North Texas

With their last win on Nov. 22, 2014, North Texas is easily the least attractive job opening in college football. In the somewhat irrelevant C-USA it’s unlikely any coach would accept an offer from UNT over the aforementioned teams.