Michigan State football: Ranking head coaching candidates after Week 6

Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 6

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 1: Head coach Lance Leipold of the Kansas Jayhawks runs out the the field with his team prior to a game against the Missouri State Bears at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

5 of 5

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils signals an official during the first half of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Mike Elko is back in the first spot even though his Blue Devils were on a bye in Week 6. That actually helped because he didn’t have to face anyone with Riley Leonard sidelined.

In fact, his star quarterback suffered a gnarly ankle injury in the tough loss to Notre Dame and he’s likely going to miss a couple of games. Elko’s Blue Devils will get their first shot at an ACC foe without Leonard in Week 7 as NC State comes to town. Win that one handily, and I’ll be fully bought into the idea of Elko as next head coach. Lose that game and I’ll be concerned that Riley was the only reason this team was good.

That’s not entirely fair, though. Duke was a combined 10-25 in the three seasons before Elko took over and he turned the ship around right away, going 9-4 in his first season.

Now, the Blue Devils are 4-1 and ranked No. 17 in the nation. They’ll be tested heavily in the coming weeks following the NC State game with road battles at Florida State and Louisville.

We will be closely monitoring.

Next. 6 head coaching hires that'd make the fanbase revolt. dark

Home/Spartans Football