...he may lose control of the locker room just through media speculation. Kids are less likely to put forth full effort for a coach that is considered a dead man walking. Additonally, he was in a heated shouting match with his DC on the sideline during the Utah game, who supposedly is one of his best friends...and the clip is easily found on ESPN...
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/99236/watch-hoke-mattison-quarrel-on-sideline
The talent should be there though (although both of their QB's looked awful)...so it's not beyond reason that they scratch out 4 wins even if Hoke does get fired mid-season.