We have come to the final week of the regular season. Many coaches still have jobs waiting to be fired. We have a coach who isn’t on the hot seat that is apparently getting fired after the game this week. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin will most likely be fired after the LSU game, according to reports. In addition, hot seat coach Jim Mora Jr has been fired as the head coach of UCLA. This leaves only 4 hot seat coaches remaining.

Tier 1: Championship of Life Tier

After Butch Jones’ firing last week, there was only 1 coach on this tier. By some stretch of God it looks like Mike Riley will make it through the season with a head coaching position. Nebraska faces a reeling, but favored, Iowa squad at home this week. Even with a win, Nebraska won’t be bowl eligible, but with a loss they finish at 4-8. At a program like Nebraska, one of the most successful programs in college football since World War 2, 4-8 is absolutely unacceptable and Riley will be out next week.

Tier 2: Score Touchdowns Tier

Jim Mora Jr’s firing this week has tier 2 joining tier 1 with only 1 coach remaining. Bret Bielema at Arkansas still has a job, most likely only through this week though. Arkansas is with Nebraska in the same scenario this week. They are 4-7 at home against a 6-5 team as an underdog, meaning even with a win they will not make a bowl this year. People have been calling for Bret’s firing for about a year now and they will finally rid themselves of him next week.

Tier 3: Leadership Reps Tier

First coach up on this tier is Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury’s squad got housed by TCU this week, moving them to 5-6 on the year. They are on the road at Texas this week. Texas is 6-5 on the year but has been playing better than what their record shows. Texas also has one of the best defenses in the the Big 12, so look for them to shut down Texas Tech. If this happens, Tech will finish at 5-7 on the year and miss a bowl. Kingbury is unlikely to be fired next week, but his seat will be extremely hot all of next year.

The last coach on the hot seat is Illinois coach Lovie Smith. Smith’s squad got dominated this week at Ohio State and failed to bring home the Illibuck. This has moved Illinois’ losing streak to 9 games, as they sit at 2-9 on the year. This week they play a surging, ranked Northwestern team. They will most likely finish with another loss, and finish the season on a 10 game losing streak. As this is Smith’s 2nd year, I doubt he will be fired this year, but he must show some improvement next year if he hopes to retain his job.

Check back in next week for the last Butch Jones Championship of Life Hot Seat of the year.