Buyouts don't matter. If Malzahn wants out (and he might) he can restructure his contract. Someone rich alum could pay his buyout. If Auburn wants him gone, he will be gone - buyouts don't stop stuff like that.
When the buyout at the end of this season is $32M, it matters. This was discussed exhaustively back in September and October when Malzahn was struggling and there was a broad consensus that there is no way Malzahn is getting bought out. I don't think you were paying attention back then.
He may choose to leave and not take a buyout, but I just don't see it. Ga Tech is not the weak Ga Tech of the 70s and 80s, but it's still a big step down from Auburn.
I honestly would bet my house...scratch that, 10% of the value of my house, that Malzahn does not leave Auburn this year. I would bet significantly less that he doesn't leave next year. 2020 is the earliest he can go IMO, because the buyout drops to ~ $20 miliion. I think he will do well enough by then that Auburn will keep him around another year or two.
Auburn would be happy if he left on his own. Rumor has it they are making it hard for him to hire assistants and get upgraded facilities in order to encourage him to leave, but I have no idea if that's true. If it is, it's very sad, because it means the BOT is sabatoging their own coach because they made a stupid contract decision. So I don't actually believe those rumors. It's in everyone's interest for him to succeed.
But yeah, my house is a rather moderate 1740 sq feet and it's an older house in an area of town that is not appreciating very rapidly - I am single and not too demainding of my house, though I am thinking about moving to a more modern one (mine was built in 64). All of which to say my house is ~ 150K. I will bet $15,000 that Malzahn doesn't leave this year.