Why it will be open: When
Scott Frost took over the Cornhuskers program in 2018 there was nothing but optimism coming out of Lincoln, and for plenty of good reason. Frost had just led
UCF to an undefeated season and a a bowl win over Auburn, and was being hailed as an offensive genius returning to his alma mater. But now he's staring down the barrel of a fourth straight losing season and has yet to finish better than fifth in the Big Ten West. With a new AD in place at
Nebraska there is almost zero doubt that Frost will be gone at or before the season's end.
Farrell's pick: Bill O'Brien
The former
Penn State and Houston Texans head coach has spent this season at the
Nick Saban Rehabilitation Camp for Coaches, where he is now serving as the offensive coordinator for one of the best offenses in the country. He's a proven commodity, too. People will forget, but he took over Penn State at the low point in that program's history in the wake of the
Jerry Sandusky scandal and led it to back-to-back winning seasons before heading to the pros. He made the playoffs four times in six seasons with the Texans as well, and would bring some stability and veteran leadership to that position. Other names - like
Matt Campbell and
Luke Fickell - will be mentioned, but O’Brien would have the best shot at success.