Georgia Tech losing top recruiter

The timing left a little to be desired, but otherwise it appears the sudden departure of Giff Smith is not going to undo any of Georgia Tech’s good recruiting work. Smith, the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line coach and well-respected recruiting coordinator, resigned Tuesday in order to accept a position as outside linebackers coach for Chan Gailey’s Buffalo Bills. Smith was actually in Buffalo, N.Y., late Tuesday afternoon as he called the many Tech recruits and players with whom he had a relationship. – Atlanta Journal Constitution

Al Groh on Short Leash at Virginia

Now here comes TCU, which despite what we’ve seen from Boise State and BYU, could be the best non-BCS team. This game is a beatdown if there ever was one, right? These are also the type of games Groh’s teams have won in the past, including upsets of West Virginia (2002), Virginia Tech (2003), Florida State (2005) and Georgia Tech (2008). Lose Saturday, and the Cavs may not win again until October—and by that time, Richmond coach and former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London, will be the clear favorite for the job. – Sporting News

Scoop: With Tub in Trouble, is Butch on Horizon?

The winds of change have been set in motion in Auburn, Alabama. Sources at the school tell Football Rumor Mill that Coach Tommy Tuberville’s chances of returning in 2009 look about the same as a Republican takeover of Congress next month.

Saturday’s 22-25 loss to Arkansas may be the beginning of the end for Tub. Talk about irony… Remember “Jet Gate” in 2003? Steve Ensminger was calling the plays for Auburn’s offense and a bunch of trustees wanted to hire then Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino to replace Tuberville.

Fast forward to 2008… Tommy Tuberville fired his latest offensive coordinator earlier in the week (his fifth). Now, he has Steve Ensminger calling his plays and current Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino likely just cost him his job.

Barring a miracle turnaround, it’s hard to see who Auburn beats the rest of the season. Following an off week, the Tigers travel to West Virginia, play at Ole Miss, return home to take on UT-Martin and end the season with Georgia and Alabama. Getting to seven wins would be a season salvaged. Auburn could conceivably finish 5-7. We’re not sure seven wins would be enough to ensure Tuberville’s return. In fact, we’re told he likely has to win at least eight.

Who would replace him? That’s an interesting question. With Petrino likely off the table, next in line would have probably been Florida State OC Jimbo Fisher. However, Fisher was named head coach in waiting for the Seminoles last year. The three names we’ve been hearing are North Carolina Coach Butch Davis, Texas DC Will Muschamp and Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson, whom we consider a long shot.