Coaches who need a win – Week 12

Listing the top five coaches that need a win whether its to calm the natives down or outright save his job. As many know, Tim Brewster (Minnesota, Todd Dodge (North Texas) and Dan Hawkins (Colorado) have already been shown the door. For purposes of this list, Mike Locksley (New Mexico) is considered beyond saving and is just playing out the string. Mark Richt (Georgia) and Dennis Erickson (Arizona St.) only avoid this list because of the bye weeks their teams have this week.

5. Dave Wannstedt (Pittsburgh) – Pitt currently leads the Big East and controls its own destiny, but has an underwhelming 5-4 record. Message boards and sites around the internet are starting to bring up the name Walt Harris. While I think Harris did a good job at Pitt, he was basically run out of town after a season very similar to the one Wannstedt it currently having. The 2004 team under Harris went 8-3 and went to the Fiesta Bowl where they were beaten badly by Utah. This team needs some wins to overcome what is likely going to be an ugly beating in the Fiesta Bowl if in fact they get there.

4. Butch Jones (Cincinnati) – Cincinnati needs to win out or they will watch their team, conference champ and BCS bowl bound the last two seasons sit out the bowl season (believe me, nobody is taking a Big East team with a losing record). Jones needs wins and quickly before he becomes the Big East's new version of Steve Kragthorpe the last few years at Louisville (successful mid-major coach taking over BCS program and immediately running into the ground).

3. Brian Kelly (Notre Dame) – Notre Dame needs to get bowl eligible. It's that simple. One more win does it and that is most likely to come this week as the Irish aren't likely to beat USC on the road. Beat Army, go to a bowl game, calm the natives a bit. It's that simple.

2. Dabo Swinney (Clemson) – A year after the ACC title game appearance, Clemson fans are annoyed. Swinney's team is playing a lot like the Tommy Bowden teams of days past (it did last season too, but C.J. Spiller bailed them out and still they ended up 9-5) which isn't too surprising considering Swinney was on Bowden's staff. Clemson fans are now wondering why they are playing the same they did years ago and not meeting expectation and the head coach is starting to take some blame in some corners of the internet.

1. Ron Zook (Illinois) – This is a save your job/lose your job kind of game this week for Zook. He appeared safe until losing to Minnesota last week. Now, the 6^th win and bowl-eligibility is out there as long as they take care of business against in-state rival Northwestern and its backup quarterback. Considering the remaining game after this is a Friday night road game at Fresno St., Zook might want to get this done now. Two losses and he's probably headed to the chopping block.