Nebraska football fans sit back and smile as 'Hotseat Saturday' kicks off
In some corners of the college football world, today is being called "Hotseat Saturday." More than a few programs are already in Week 3 in situations where their coaches are receiving win or else memorandums. Meanwhile, Nebraska football fans are settling into their chairs and couches, soda or beer in hand, emitting a deep sigh of satisfaction at their 2-0 team looking as good as the Huskers have looked in over a decade.
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, the LSU Tigers are facing a must-win SEC game on the road. Should Brian Kelly's squad fall to the Gamecocks and likewise fall to 1-2 on the young season, the push to get Kelly to just geaux away will get quite a bit louder.
Staying in the SEC, old Nebraska football rival Oklahoma has fans nervous due to a decided lack of offense this season. On Hotseat Saturday, the Sooners host a Tulane Green Wave that gave 14th-ranked Kansas State all it could handle last weekend. A loss to the G5 squad at home will almost certainly have Brent Venables's britches uncomfortably warm.
And then there's 4th-ranked Alabama traveling to Wisconsin. Badgers' fans thought second-year coach Luke Fickel would supercharge their offense and lead Wiscy to the top of the Big Ten. Instead, they went just 7-5 last season and have struggled to beat Western Michigan and South Dakota this year.
Nebraska football fans enjoying 'Hotseat Saturday' not touching them
Should Wisconsin suffer a beatdown in Madison today, one has to wonder if Badgers fans might start questioning the head coach pick.
Florida also hosts Texas A&M. If the Florida Gators lose at home to the Aggies, head coach Billy Napier's already hot seat might burst into flames.
Hotseat Saturday could also be in effect in South Bend. Notre Dame fans are understandably unhappy with the Fighting Irish's loss to Northern Illinois last week. It was a loss that might have ended what was supposed to be a playoff season. If head coach Marcus Freeman can't right the ship and find some offense and they lose to Purdue? The calls for his dismissal will get very loud.
With Florida State, who hosts a 2-0 Memphis team today. If the Seminoles find a way to lose to Mike Norvell's previous program and fall to 0-3 on the season, it might be a race to between he and Napier to see who gets fired first.
Despite what could be a crazy Hotseat Saturday with several fanbases hunting for heads come Saturday morning, Nebraska football fans are absolutely in love with head coach Matt Rhule. It's only been two weeks, but it appears he's installed his culture in a way that has the Nebraska Cornhuskers back as one of the most compelling teams in college football.