Spinning gloom into optimism a tall task for three SEC football coaches.

As good as SEC Football is; which is the best in college football by far, there are teams for whom the 2024 season is a failure. Before the CFB Playoff era, success was defined for many teams as playing a bowl game. Now, if the game is a lower-level bowl, the threshold of bowl game attainment is more a statement that a team is not horrible.

Counting the 12 Playoff slots, there are 82 post-season opportunities for the 134 FBS teams. Some of the 'left-out' teams could be 6-6 this season. The Mississippi State Bulldogs already know they will not go bowling. For a team with a first-season coach, that failure is manageable.

The SEC football teams that may join Mississippi State as failed programs have bigger problems. Somehow, their coaches must spin that their programs will bounce back immediately, as in 2025. Some will claim recruiting success has them on such an upward trend that 2025 will be a breakthrough season. Selling new players that they can lead a turnaround is doable. Convincing fans and donors can be harder.

Three SEC Football Hot Seats

The four SEC football coaches who have been under the most duress are Mark Stoops, Hugh Freeze, Brent Venables, and Billy Napier. Napier, with a win over LSU, has already won a reprieve. The Gators have a good chance to finish 6-6, with a win over FSU, and might even pull off an upset of Ole Miss.

The other three are expected to survive, with Hugh Freeze probably being the most secure. Auburn will likely finish the season at 4-8. That record and no post-season trip to Birmingham or Shreveport should be damning, but Freeze holds a trump card. So far, his recruiting is saving him. If the Tigers gain an upset over Texas A&M on Saturday, Hugh's spin will ramp up to new heights.

The Kentucky Wildcats might also finish 4-8. There are rumblings out of Lexington that influential boosters believe the Wildcats need a coaching change. The best thing for Mark Stoops' job security is that it's basketball season and attention has shifted.

Venables has been given recent votes of confidence. Despite that public support, it appears a growing number of Oklahoma fans would not mind losing to the Crimson Tide if it prompted an exit by Venables.