CFP: Quarterfinals

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Festivus, Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate we hope you enjoyed it!

We are back after a little extended holiday break, but we are looking forward to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff and we have some other bowl games to review.

The Kickoff

Tyler Schuster, who writes

Three-Point Stance

, was asking a question on Notes this week about “What Ifs,” and how he plans to look at the “sliding door moments” of the 2024 college football season — the plays, calls and decisions that could’ve changed everything.

We discuss some moments from this past season we think could have changed the outcomes we’ve seen this season.

The Drive…

1st Down: Commissioner Saban? PSU’s James Franklin and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin have made public goals for the GOAT to have a commissioner’s role in college football.

2nd Down: CFP Reforms — seeding, home games, conference championships, etc.

3rd Down: Bad Behavior — A football official suffered a gash under his left eye in a melee between ECU and NC State. This is a continuation of what we’ve seen already this year with flag planting. What will curb this behavior?

4th Down: The Deion Sanders Experiment — A Heisman Trophy winner, an Alamo Bowl blowout at the hands of BYU. What grade would you give Deion Sanders’ time at Colorado?

Extra Points: What conference has the best bowl record so far this post-season? Hint: It’s not the SEC.

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John’s Games of the Week:

Ashton Jeanty and Abdul Carter will factor largely in who wins in the Fiesta Bowl. / Source: NCAA.com

VRBO Fiesta Bowl: Penn State (-11.5) vs. Boise State (Tuesday, December 31st, 7:30 p.m. ESPN)

• Ashton Jeanty or bust?

• Tyler Warren or bust?

Cam Scattebo and Quinn Ewers lead thei teams into the Peach Bowl. / Source: NCAA.com

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Texas (-12.5) vs. Arizona State (Wednesday, January 1st, 1 p.m. ESPN)

• Chance for Arizona St. and Big XII to make a statement?

• Is the Texas defense just too much?

Jace Middleton and Kenyon Sadiq look to make an impact in the Rose Bowl. / Source: NCAA.com

Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential: Ohio State vs. Oregon (-2.5) (Wednesday, January 1st, 5 p.m. ESPN)

• A rematch from October’s 1-point loss by the Buckeyes.

• Will there be a positive carryover effect for the Buckeyes from the stomping of Tennessee?

Gunner Stockton makes his first collegiate start, while Lincoln Riley looks to avoid his last. / Source: NCAA.com

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Georgia (-1.5) (Wednesday, January 1st, 8:45 p.m. ESPN)

• Questions about Gunner Stockton’s 1st start?

• Is Notre Dame and its defense for real?

Just for Men (#notsponsored) College Pick’em:

So far, through the bowl games, Brian, John and Gary are tied at 18-13. That leaves the season-long standings currently as:

• Brian 185-98

• Gary 183-100

• John 179-104

This Week’s Picks:

Gary’s Cocktail of the Week:

After disappointing a nation on the last episode of Tailgators Setup Podcast, Gary is back with a vengence! He doesn’t have one cocktail. He doesn’t have two cocktails. He has eight!

So no matter what team you’re rooting for this week in the College Football Playoff, mix(ologist) master Gary has got you covered!

As always, please drink responsibly.

Blue Field and The White Out

Blue Field:

• 1 oz Blue Curacao

• 2 oz Mango Vodka

• 2 oz LemonadeSprite

• Lemon slice

Combine vodka, curacao and lemonade in shaker, shake and pour into glass with ice top off with spirte and add lemon slice.

White Out:

• 2 oz Gin

• 1/2 oz lime juice

• 3 oz club soda

Fill a highball glass with ice and lime wheel, add gin followed by the lime juice, and top with club soda, stir gently and garnish with lime slice.

Sparky and Bevo Juice

Sparky:

• 2 oz Tequila

• 4 oz Orange Juice

• 1/2 oz grenadine

• Orange slice & Maraschino cherry

Combine tequila and OJ in shaker, shake and pour into glass with ice add grenadine and top with orange slice and cherry.

Bevo Juice:

• 1.5 oz Silver Tequila

• 1 oz Aperol

• 1/2 oz Lime Juice

• 1/2 oz Orange Juice

• 1 oz Blood Orange Soda

Combine tequila, Aperol, orange and lime juice in shaker, shake and pour into chilled coupe or martini glass and top off with blood orange soda and garnish with orange peel.

Quack On and The Horseshoe

Quack On:

• 2 oz orange juice

• 1 oz agave nectar

• 1 oz dark rum

• 1/2 oz light rum

• 1/2 oz orange liqueur

• 3 dashes bitters

Combine ingredients in shaker, shake and pour into glass of ice, garnish with orange slice.

The Horseshoe:

• 1.5 oz Rum

• 3 diced strawberries

• 1 tsp agave nectar

• 2 dashes ground cinnamon

Muddle the strawberries, agave and cinnamon in the bottom of a shaker glass. Add ice and Rum. Shake well and strain into a large rocks glass.

Pot of Gold and Bulldog Punch

Pot Of Gold:

• 1.75 oz Gin

• 3/4 oz dry vermouth

• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth

• 1 oz orange juice

• 2 dashes orange bitters

Combine ingredients in shaker, shake and pour into coupe glass, garnish with orange twist.

Bulldog Punch:

• 1 oz Light Rum

• 1 oz Dark Rum

• 1 oz banana liqueur

• 1 oz blackberry liqueur

• 1 oz orange juice

• 1 oz pineapple juice

• splash of grenadine

Combine ingredients in shaker, shake and pour into glass of ice, garnish with orange and cherry.

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As always, thank you for listening and reading Tailgators Setup Podcast! Brian, John and Gary would like to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! And as always, please be sure to subscribe and follow us throughout the CFP: