The CheckerBoard

...there are going to be a lot of rumors and speculation regarding the coaching situation, but most of those rumors will be false. Coaches currently with other programs aren't going to be doing much talking (if any) with other schools until after the regular season ends, because they still have their jobs to do. Of course that leaves names like Petrino and Tressel on the table, but will anyone want to take on the excess baggage associated with them?

Chances are some of these targets will spark a bidding war between SEC schools as well, so that will be something to watch going forward as well. Personally, I'm hoping that Dave Hart left the BoT meetings with the ability to do whatever it takes to hire a top-caliber coach, but that may just be wishful thinking.

The next 4-6 weeks are going to be rough on everyone associated with UT football - staff, coaches, players, and fans alike. So everyone might want to stop and take a breather before replying/commenting on every rumor out there...