With coaching dominoes beginning to fall, Lane Kiffin sweepstakes losers at risk of being left out to dry

The Florida Gators and LSU Tigers are playing a dangerous game. 

As both programs wait on Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to make a decision about his future, one — or both — is at risk of setting themselves back in their coaching searches.

Recent hires add urgency to Lane Kiffin's looming decision

Dominoes are already falling in this year's hiring cycle, with three positions filled in the past 24 hours. On Tuesday, Oklahoma State hired Eric Morris, who has guided North Texas to a 10-1 record and possibly two wins away from a College Football Playoff automatic berth.

Colorado State nabbed Connecticut head coach Jim Mora, while Arkansas scooped up South Florida's Alex Golesh, who would have been a solid fallback option for Florida considering his recruiting ties to the state.

Earlier, Virginia Tech agreed to terms with James Franklin to make him its next coach.

More top candidates could be off the board in the coming days. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is a top option at Auburn, while Missouri is reportedly set to offer a raise to Eli Drinkwitz, who has been linked to LSU as a secondary possibility if it strikes out on Kiffin.

A recent report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger suggests the Tigers could be the worst off among Kiffin's suitors in the event he lands elsewhere. The college football insider reported on Tuesday that Florida and Ole Miss have begun exploring alternative options, "two signals of Kiffin's possible intent.

"In Baton Rouge, things are mostly quiet," Dellenger continued.

While Kiffin's decision is undoubtedly the most significant of this year's cycle, the coaching carousel hasn't stopped just because of his waffling. The losers of the race will have to pick up the pieces in a hurry. With others getting a head start, there might be few good options left.