Above: Chip Kelly pondering where to go when he goes back to #college.

So here we are. Four weeks into the NFL season and five weeks into the college football season. Steve Sarkisian has led USC to a 3-2 record (1-2 conference), so of course the sharks smell blood in the water. And while they’re circling USC and writing the hottest of takes, they’re already re-casting Sarkisian’s role and giving it to Chip Kelly. First, there’s Sports Illustrated:

“While this loss doesn’t mark the end of Sarkisian’s time at USC, it marks a definitive point where people can start speculating about the end. And that will certainly include Eagles coach Chip Kelly. USC had strong interest in Kelly when it hired Sarkisian. Not even halfway through his second season, there’s worry if seven-win Sark will even get there. Things can get a lot worse for USC (3–2) with upcoming games at Notre Dame, home against Utah and then at California. The barbarians haven’t circled the gate, but they’re huddling and game-planning.”

Of course. A college opening may potentially, possibly exist at the end of the season, so Chip Kelly’s name has to be tossed in there. But it’s not just SI, USA Today got in on the fun too. Just look at this headline:

usc

And of course, there are some gems:

“You know it when you see it.

And what you see at Southern California nearing the halfway point of the 2015 season is the failed regime of Steve Sarkisian and a program desperately in need of Chip Kelly …

Though Chip Kelly is reportedly committed to seeing it through with the Philadelphia Eagles, there would not be a more perfect marriage between team and coach than jumping to the Trojans.

If Kelly could dominate the Pac-12 at Oregon, there is no ceiling on what he could do at USC.

The NCAA penalties that would have made it difficult for a college to hire him are over. When Kelly inevitably returns to the college game, he will instantly have the credibility and cachet to recruit at an even higher level than he ever achieved at Oregon.”

“WHEN KELLY INEVITABLY RETURNS TO THE COLLEGE GAME.” Inevitably. This talk hasn’t ceased since he went back on his initial “no” and took the Eagles job. And it probably won’t until he raises like three Lombardi trophies over his head.

Chip, of course, is likely focused on the Eagles and seeing how small he can make his S-8 playcard, instead of all this nonsense.