South Carolina coaching search: Shawn Elliott to interview; Kirby Smart off the board; Will Muschamp, Lincoln Riley in play?

We knew that sooner or later, South Carolina interim football coach Shawn Elliott would get a chance to interview for the full-time gig, and that time is now upon us; Elliott will sit down with athletics director Ray Tanner and make his case for getting the job.

This is likely just a courtesy interview, and while it's no doubt that Elliott had his team in striking distance down the stretch against Texas A&M, Tennessee, Florida and Clemson late, they lost those games and ended with a 1-5 record under Elliott - lowlighted by a 23-22 loss to FCS foe The Citadel. Much of the support he had received early on has, for the most part, been depleted, with fans looking for a proven outside name to come on board and get the program back on track.

Which takes us to our next storyline: Kirby Smart off the board and headed to Georgia. Basically, the second that job opened, there was little indication that anyone but him, being an alumnus of the university, would end up there as Mark Richt's successor. Auburn DC Will Muschamp's name has come up as a possibility for South Carolina - however, and this is interesting - Smart wants Muschamp to make the trip up to Athens with him. (Key word: wants. Nothing official.) If that turns out to be fact, then bye-bye Muschamp, and from what I've seen, it's about 70-30 against him right now on the social media channels.

Considering Muschamp is out of the picture, here's another name for you: Oklahoma OC Lincoln Riley, who will chat with Tanner as well, according to ESPN and The State. Riley, a former Mike Leach disciple at Texas Tech, served under Leach from 2003-2009 before heading from Lubbock to East Carolina with Ruffin McNeill in 2010. He was hired by Bob Stoops before the season began, and has helped guide the Sooners to the Big 12 title and a top four spot in the College Football Playoff, where they're likely to remain.

A lot of names out there, and a lot of #speculation to wade through. Tanner has set a deadline for between December 10-12, and while he's still on target for hitting that, the list seems to be getting a little smaller.