The favorite doesn't usually land the job ...

In 2000, Dennis Erickson was the hands-down favorite to land the LSU job. Nick Saban wasn't even on anyone's radar list of possible candidates although was looked at as a great hire for LSU by most fans. Other top candidates mentioned were Glenn Mason, Bob Pruitt.

In 2004, Kirk Ferentz and Jack Del Rio were initially the favorites to land the LSU job, with Butch Davis and Bobby Petrino close behind. Les Miles pretty much came out of left field and surprised (and disappointed) quite a few people. Mike Riley and Houston Nutt were also candidates.

This year, the favorites are obviously Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban. Other names mentioned that wouldn't be considered "favorites" per se are Tubberville and Brian Kelly.

In my limited experience in following these coaching carousels around the country, I have found that not only at LSU but around the country the favorite for the job typically - not always - isn't the one that actually ends up with the job.

Hell, even the Dallas Cowboys fall into this category.

My main thing is that I don't want to pick a favorite and be disappointed when it doesn't come to fruition. Nonetheless, I've already in my mind annoited Spurrier and Saban as the two that I would be most happy with. I'm afraid I might be setting myself up for disappointment(and I think others are doing the same).

Please help convince me that some of the "smaller" names would also be great hires ... Grobe, Muschamp, Pinkel, Chris Peterson, Brian Kelly, BC's coach. I just don't want to feel "let down" when we don't get Spurrier or Saban, and I'm caught in my own trap of getting caught up in the excitement of having own of these two leading the Tigers next year.