In Charlottesville, Boulder and Akron, they’re waiting. Sweating, really. The 2009 season closes for the programs in those cities this weekend, and then comes the verdict. Since the teams have a combined eight wins at this point, there’s a good chance that decision could be ugly. Even a Virginia win over Virginia Tech or a Colorado triumph over Nebraska might not be enough to save the head coaches of those schools, who have struggled for a few years and may have exhausted any goodwill they had previously accumulated. Akron should rip 0-11 Eastern Michigan for its second win in four weeks but that might not be enough for the injury-plagued Zips.

Around this time of year, fans and media become predatory in their treatment of coaches who haven’t met expectations. If they can’t win, they have no value and need to be replaced by someone who can get the job done. No one wants to hear excuses. If the bottom line is ugly, something must be done.

Throughout my time covering college football, I have called for my share of coaching executions. But as I speak to more and more of the men charged with building programs, a sense of compassion has emerged that may not be consistent with the mission of a media analyst. With each coaching turnover, there is substantial collateral damage. Assistant coaches and other program administrators lose their jobs and must dive into a murky hiring pool that promises nothing and contains substantial disappointment and blows to the ego.

Worse, every one of those displaced coaches understands that relocation is likely. It’s one thing to move to another town of one’s volition. That’s a career choice made to further one’s progress up the professional ladder. But when Coach X has spent five or more years in one town, developed some roots and — more importantly — watched his family get comfortable, a move across the country can be traumatic.

This is not a plea to save the jobs of those who are on the firing line, waiting for a decision on their futures. That would be unprofessional on my part. There’s too much money at stake for programs to stick with underperforming coaches just because they are nice guys and family men. Rather, this is a request to tone down the vitriol and understand that there is more to the decision to fire a coach than just a new beginning for a football team. There are plenty of ancillary victims who must rebuild their lives in the wake of a firing, and they deserve your concern.

No matter how hard that may be to do.

THIS WEEK’S STORYLINES:

Almost There: Florida and Alabama have one hurdle each yet to surmount to set up their much-anticipated showdown in Atlanta next week. The Gators have to beat Florida State on Tim Tebow Day in Gainesville, while the Tide must survive an Iron Bowl bloodbath at Auburn. Both are favored and should prevail, but you can bet there are some nervous SEC execs hoping that their two unbeatens stay that way this weekend.

Bye-Bye Charlie: It’s been quite a five-year ride for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Unfortunately for him, it hasn’t been nearly as successful as most Irish fans expected when the former Patriots’ offensive coordinator took over. ND visits Stanford and is expected to lose, but even some old Dome Magic won’t save Weis’ job. He’s expected to be relieved of his position (and paid handsomely for his troubles) next week, and a search for a new coach is already under way.

Perfect Pursuits: While Florida and ‘Bama try to remain perfect, four other unblemished schools will face challenges to their pristine records. Cincinnati hosts failing Illinois, Texas is at Texas A&M, TCU hosts New Mexico, and Boise State receives a visit from high-scoring Nevada. For TCU and Boise, losses would be catastrophic, since they would disqualify them from BCS consideration. UT needs a win to stay on target for a berth in the “national title” game, while the Bearcats are merely in the midst of the biggest season in program history.

Heisman Homestretch: Heisman Trophy ballots are due on Dec. 7, and most of the main candidates have two arguments left for their case. The one who doesn’t is Stanford back Toby Gerhart, who was overpowering in last week’s loss to California and gets a national TV showcase against Notre Dame to convince voters of his substantial merit.

UNDER THE RADAR:

When Army’s Josh McNary lined up against North Texas last weekend, he was a happy man. That’s because the Cadets’ previous two opponents, VMI and Air Force, threw a combined 13 passes, making it hard for the superb end to do what he does best — rush the passer. Even though UNT had allowed only 10 sacks all year, McNary registered one. He also made two more tackles for loss, running his total for the year to 22.5, second best in the country. The junior has 12.5 sacks (tied for fourth nationally) and is a big reason the Black Knights have won five games and could become bowl eligible with a win over Navy Dec. 12. There’s only one problem: The Mids don’t exactly throw it around the yard. That’s okay, since McNary should have no problem getting fired up for the biggest game of the year.

MUST-SEE TV:

Thursday

Texas at Texas A&M, 8:00 p.m. (EST) ESPN. One of the nation’s top rivalries returns to its Turkey Day spot, with the Longhorns hoping to stay on track for the BCS title game.

Friday

Alabama at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CBS. The Iron Bowl is a hard-hitting matchup every year, and the Tide are hoping to remain perfect by surviving an improved Auburn team.

Pittsburgh at West Virginia, 7:00 p.m. ESPN2. Pittsburgh can still win the Big East with a loss and a win over Cincinnati next week, but this is for bragging rights.

Nevada at Boise State, 10:30 p.m. ESPN2. You know all about the Broncos, but the Wolf Pack have scored 50 or more points in four of their last five and have won eight straight.

Saturday

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, 12:30 p.m. FSN. The Sooners can gain some measure of satisfaction in a disappointing season by derailing the Cowpokes’ BCS hopes.

Florida State at Florida 3:30 p.m. CBS. Tim Tebow’s final game will be emotional, but the Gators need to take care of business to stay on target.

Notre Dame at Stanford, 8 p.m. ABC. It’s Charlie Weis’ swan song, and the surging Cardinal would love to make it a dirge.

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