Lincoln Riley to Baylor? That makes more sense than Dabo Swinney

The college football coaching carousel is gaining steam, with jobs now open in the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC.

Meanwhile, Lincoln Riley is absorbing some heat at Southern Cal after his Trojans got trounced by Wisconsin. If Riley wants out of USC, there's a job open in his home state of Texas. Just saying.

Yes, we're talking about Baylor's opening.

The NC State job also could see a big name attached to it, after the Wolfpack fired veteran coach Dave Doeren.

Toppmeyer: This Oregon season is a massive bust, and Dan Lanning owns it all

Inside Maryland's coaching search: Big names, big doubts, and a dose of reality

On this edition of “College Football Unfiltered,” a USA TODAY Sports podcast presented by Sports Seriously, host Blake Toppmeyer and his colleagues Paul Myerberg and John Brice weigh in on the college football chaos and recap the drama of Week 8. That includes a discussion on: How much do we trust Texas and Arch Manning after Longhornstook down Mississippi?

Maybe the better question is, do we trust anyone? Brice says he trusts two teams, while Myerberg and Toppmeyer say that might be at least one team too many.

But, on the subject of Baylor and Riley ...

Lincoln Riley to Baylor: Love that idea, like it, or no thanks?

Brice says: Love it. He should go coach where he'd be happy. He's not happy where he's at. Maybe, he'd be happy back in Texas at a Big 12 job.

Myerberg says: Like it. You can go home, occasionally.

Toppmeyer says: Love it. Stay one step ahead of the firing posse at USC. Restart the clock at Baylor.

Dabo Swinney to Baylor: Love that idea, like it, or no thanks?

Brice says:No thanks. The Big 12 still is largely defined by offense. And right now, Clemson is defined by its complete lack of offense.

Myerberg says: No thanks. Why would Baylor think Dabo is going to reinvent his approach at Baylor, when he hasn't done that at Clemson? Plus, I'm not hiring someone who's not from Texas for the Baylor job.

Toppmeyer: No thanks. Swinney is a legend, but he's a legend of a bygone era.

As for NC State, famed alumnus Philip Rivers is coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama.

So ...

Philip Rivers to NC State: Love that idea, like it, or no thanks?

Brice says: No thanks. I would contend Philip Rivers at NC State would have made more sense before NIL and transfer free agency than it would right now. Back then, it was more about establishing and developing a program. Now, it matters what type of transfer talent you can bring with you. Who would Rivers bring with him other than his son, Gunner, an NC State quarterback commit?

Myerberg: Love it. This hire would be unlike anything I can remember at the Power Four level. Just call your famous quarterback alumnus and give him the job? That's thinking outside of the box, anyway. He'd need to surround himself with a good coaching staff.

Toppmeyer: No thanks. Perhaps it shouldn't be relevant, but I can't unsee Trent Dilfer being terrible as UAB's coach. That sours me on the idea of an ex-NFL QB going from coaching high school to coaching FBS.

Where to listen to College Football Unfiltered

Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' "College Football Unfiltered" podcast, hosted by columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream episodes on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts, Spotify or iHeart.Cohosts Matt Hayes, Paul Myerberg and John Brice cover college football for USA TODAY Sports.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincoln Riley to Baylor? That makes more sense than Dabo Swinney