The USC head coaching search is likely to remain in a state of suspended animation for the next five to six weeks, at least at the top of the list.

In late November, Luke Fickell and James Franklin will still be at the top of athletic director Mike Bohn’s big board, barring any significant developments in the college football world. These two have consistently led the pack in the search for USC’s next head coach.

The obvious question, which we will not know the answer to until Thanksgiving at the earliest, is if either is ready to accept a job offer from Mike Bohn. Both could turn down the offer, forcing Bohn to go to Plan C (a third choice) or Plan D.

While we wait for this drama to play out, we have to consider other possibilities and plot twists in the upcoming coaching carousel.

One plot twist: other jobs opening up.

Specifically: The LSU job could come open.

Yes, Ed Orgeron gained a huge win over Florida on Saturday. That’s a big one for his status in Baton Rouge. Yet, he probably needs to win at least a few more high-end games this year (Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama and Arkansas) — at least two and probably three of those four if he wants to save his hide and get at least one more season. He isn’t safe right now.

If Coach O gets fired, which is still probable, though not as certain as it was before the upset of Florida, @LSUTigersWire editor @PatrickConnCFB thinks Luke Fickell’s eyes might shift from Los Angeles to Red Stick.

Yes, Patrick Conn of LSU Wire thinks the Bayou Bengals could pursue Fickell. This wouldn’t necessarily make it likely Fickell will be the No. 1 target for the Tigers and athletic director Scott Woodward, but Fickell would be in the mix, and he might have to choose not just between staying at Cincinnati and going to another job, but also between USC and LSU.

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