TN Dawg, your opening statement about money in Austin . . . . lots and lots. Spot on statement.
Don't remember looking at the particular piece you posted coming from Bleacherreport. Probably did, just don't recall. Lots of talent within that list, many or most could step up.
Do know when Nick Saban speaks, most stop and listen. He is one of those that folks pay attention to, especially on the college level. Saban wanted Smart to stay with him for many reasons. Do not believe that holding him back from a head coaching job is one of them.
Texas football is no different than many colleges, politics play a huge role in many of the decisions made in Austin. Mack Brown has been responsible for a lot of the money that Texas has. Brown, if using his head will step down, Lone Star State will take good care of him, as if needed. Has been time for Brown to leave much earlier than now.
Could be that Muschamp left too soon, however if he had stayed, don't believe that BYU and others would be putting all of those points on the board. Would have been a little easier on Brown if Muschamp had stayed. Muschamp has a very good defense that we will see in JAX.
I am one that believes in what the SEC has done for many years, now colleges all over the country are awake to our way of playing football. Defense wins football games. Ask Notre Dame, ballyhooed all season, finally faced a football team that had answers.
If Kirby is not selected, there will be another college that will jump all over Saban's assistant. Some university is going to make Kirby Smart a very rich man . . . . that was part of Nick Saban's plan for Kirby.