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In the midst of an eventful college football season, several coaches find themselves under scrutiny while rising players like Jaxson Dart and Sam Leavitt are making significant impacts on the field.

Jaxson Dart is coming off a remarkable game and now faces the challenge of dismantling Georgia's 20th-ranked pass defense. Despite this recent success, NFL scouts remain skeptical, questioning Dart's accuracy and projecting him as a second or third-round pick in the draft. One NFL personnel official noted, "He's super competitive but has some accuracy issues, similar to Bo Nix."

Amid these player developments, numerous college football programs are experiencing tension regarding their head coach's future. For Louisiana Tech, Sonny Cumbie's tenure appears shaky as the Bulldogs are 3-5 this season, raising doubts about his continued leadership. Meanwhile, Charles Huff at Marshall and Don Brown at UMass also seem likely to depart after seasons of underwhelming performance.

Similarly, coaches at Florida International, UAB, and Tulsa are under pressure. Mike MacIntyre needs a strong finish to salvage FIU's 3-6 season. UAB's Trent Dilfer, despite a significant financial commitment from the school, is struggling with a 2-6 record, causing concern among insiders. Tulsa's Kevin Wilson, only in his second year, faces industry speculation about his job security after a tough start with a 5-14 overall record.

On the other hand, some coaches face uncertain futures but could turn things around with late-season success. For instance, Charlotte's Biff Poggi has a chance to rectify a 3-6 season with upcoming winnable games, while Stan Drayton at Temple and Mike Neu at Ball State are both battling to improve their teams' records and solidify their positions.

The preparation for the College Football Playoff and upcoming early signing period add another layer of complexity. Athletic directors are cautious about interviewing prospective coaches engaged in championship runs, a situation that affects their hiring timelines significantly. Georgia's offensive coordinator, for example, may be considered for a head coaching role but delaying interviews until after the season can be risky.

One standout story is Arizona State’s head coach Kenny Dillingham and his successful mentorship of quarterback Sam Leavitt. Under Dillingham's guidance, Leavitt has led the Sun Devils to a 6-2 record and become known for his playmaking ability. With critical games against Kansas State and BYU on the horizon, Leavitt’s performance could be pivotal in the Sun Devils’ quest for a Big 12 Championship.

As the season progresses, the fate of many coaches hangs in the balance while emerging players like Dart and Leavitt continue to capture the spotlight with their performances.