Rob's Rankings: Recruiting uncertainty, coaches in WWE

With coaching rumors abound and a few not-so-stellar seasons playing out on the field, the on-field storylines that will shape National Signing Day 2018 are starting to become apparent. This week, we take a peek down the road and rank the six Power Five programs set to face the most recruiting uncertainty between now and traditional National Signing Day in February.

MORE: Farrell's Three-Point Stance | Last week's Rob's Rankings | Team rankings

Curent recruiting rank: 78

Why the outlook is uncertain: Ole Miss is fighting an uphill recruiting battle on two fronts. The fact that the Rebels are without a coach is one of the problems. The other is the uncertainty that comes with the looming threat of more NCAA sanctions. Add in the fact that Ole Miss is bordered on all sides by more successful and stable SEC programs, and you have a massive recruiting roadblock. The threat of more NCAA-related problems may impact Ole Miss’ coaching search and prevent it from making a splash hire that could help it sprint toward Signing Day. Stranger things have happened, sure, but it seems as though the Rebels are fighting too many exterior factors to salvage the 2018 class. Four of the top five prospects in the state of Mississippi are currently committed to Mississippi State, which is a problem when you consider the limited amount of talent in the pool. Ole Miss currently boasts just one four-star commit, WR Demarcus Gregory.

Curent recruiting rank: 64

Why the outlook is uncertain: Five-star wide receiver Devonta Jason and four-star defensive back Corione Harris aren’t just the backbone of Kansas’ class, they’re pretty much its entire anatomy. The struggling Jayhawks are going to have to fight day and night to keep the in-demand duo, and the fact that other schools can now start using David Beaty’s lack of progress is bad news for the stretch run. If KU doesn’t get its two prized prospects to sign in December, the program could find itself flirting with a disastrous class that lacks the Texas-based talent Beaty was brought in to help land. A team that is 3-30 in its last 33 games isn’t difficult to recruit against, and the 1-8 record the Jayhawks currently boast could help things go from bad to worse in the months ahead.

Curent recruiting rank: 67

Why the outlook is uncertain: Arkansas currently sits at No. 67 in the Rivals rankings and it’s hard to imagine that ranking improving much with the uncertainty that now surrounds head coach Bret Bielema. Whether or not Bielema is back next year seems largely unimportant to the uncertainty facing this recruiting class, as a returning Bielema would be a lame duck. Should Arkansas elect to make a change following the season, it would be lower in the pecking order than a handful of other major programs that may also be in the coaching market. Cracking the top 40 or so will be a tall task for the Arkansas, which desperately needs stability and a shot of life on the recruiting trail.

Curent recruiting rank: 23

Why the outlook is uncertain: Baylor could have gone 7-5 this season and still be faced with a reputation problem on the recruiting trail. The stench of the widespread sexual assault scandal that rocked the school a year ago wasn’t going anywhere regardless of finish. A 1-8 start under the new coaching staff has, however, further stacked the deck against the Bears. Baylor has a stable coach in place, so that will lend some semblance of help to a school that has suddenly become a hard sell once again. Baylor has quickly slid behind Texas, TCU and Texas A&M in the state, but has battled valiantly to land three four-star prospects. Whether or not the Bears will hold on to them until Signing Day is yet to be determined, but a win or two down the stretch might help. Baylor’s current ranking of 23rd isn’t bad whatsoever, but it’s at least partly a product of having 19 commits in the fold. It’s a number that could drop drastically before Signing Day should losses continue to mount.

Curent recruiting rank: 9

Why the outlook is uncertain: Tennessee has an impressive class. It also has a lame duck coach. This one could easily go either way, and the coming two months will be vital. If the plan is, indeed, to wait until after the season to dismiss embattled head coach Butch Jones, the Vols will need to act fast to keep its class in place. Recruiting uncertainty is spreading by the day, as nearly every member of Tennessee commitment list is forming backup plans in case a coaching change takes place. Five-star tackle Cade Mays, who decommitted from Tennessee on Tuesday, is taking hard looks at Georgia, Notre Dame and Clemson. Alontae Taylor, the Vols’ highest-ranked skill position commit, is considering Alabama along with the Irish and the Bulldogs. It’s important to note that Jones has not been fired yet, but the chaos that would come with keeping him would match that of a coaching change.

Curent recruiting rank: 12

Why the outlook is uncertain: UCLA lost three commits last week, as head coach Jim Mora continues to coach his way to an uncertain future. Whatever the weeks ahead hold for Mora, doubt is beginning to take hold within the Bruins’ recruiting class, which is never a good sign. If UCLA retains its coach, he’ll limp through National Signing Day with next to no stability to sell recruits. If it decides to make a change, Mora’s dismissal will be abrupt. The uncertainty at hand will likely kill UCLA's chance at having a productive early Signing Day, sending Mora or the coach that replaces him scrambling from December until early February. Vultures are circling the Bruins’ class as is, and the team’s highest-rated commit Dorian Thompson-Robinson will receive plenty of overtures from more stable programs. UCLA currently carries a top-15 recruiting class but seems one bad loss away from all hell breaking loose.

OVERTIME

Pro Wrestling and sports were linked by the premier of Rick Flair’s ESPN 30 for 30 documentary this week, so I’ll happily continue that trend in the the overtime section. Below, I’ve ranked the top five college football coaches that would shine in the WWE universe.

1. Ed Orgeron — LSU

How I’d book him: The man that once ripped his shirt off during a team meeting occupies the top spot for obvious reasons. Give him a mouth-piece manager to cut the promos on his behalf and let him run wild as an unstoppable force that’s somehow impervious to pain. Think modern day George 'The Animal' Steele.

2. Kliff Kingsbury — Texas Tech

How I’d book him: As a Hollywood-style heel that wears sunglasses inside and flaunts his good looks. Kingsbury calls the audience things like “disfigured redneck trolls" – would get nuclear heat in the middle of the country.

3. Jim Harbaugh — Michigan

How I’d book him: As himself. No gimmick needed here. Harbaugh was born a pro wrestler and transitioned to football coach.

4. Larry Fedora — North Carolina

How I’d book him: As an aging, gym-obsessed dad clinging to his youth and chasing his dream to be champion. The gimmick is a little campy, sure, but Fedora would get over as a good guy ironically. He’d get especially loud cheers in Brooklyn.

5. Bret Bielema — Arkansas

How I’d book him: With the one-strap singlet made famously Andre the Giant and the Big Show. Bielema has already mastered the art of the promo and is better on the microphone than both of the aforementioned giants.