We are down to one final game, the College Football Championship game, this Monday, live from Atlanta, Georgia. We will have a new champion of college football, as well as a new President of the United States of America.
The Drive…
First Down: Carson Beck - The $4 million dollar man? The Georgia signal caller is transferring to Miami. Quinn Ewers declares for the NFL draft, which means it’s Arch Manning Time in Austin.
Second Down: With Mike McCarthy out in Dallas, rumors are swirling about Coach Prime, but Deion Sanders says he is looking forward to just being “coach” and not also a dad. Belichick to Las Vegas? Rumors were swirling this week that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, had reached out to his former Patriots head coach to gauge his interest in returning to the NFL.
Third Down: Do you think the coaching carousel will involve Ryan Day? James Franklin? Tom Allen “transfers” to Clemson to be DC.
Fourth Down: Ratings for the CFP semifinals were down from last year’s. Any thoughts on why?
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John’s Game of the Week:
No. 8 Ohio State (-8) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 20th (ESPN)
Previous Meetings: Ohio State beat Notre Dame, 17-14, in South Bend, IN on September 23, 2023. Ohio State scored on a TD run from the 1-yard-line. I believe the Irish only had 10 players on the field. What can we take away from that game, if anything?
Defense is the Name of the Game: Ohio State and Notre Dame have two of the best Ds in the game.
Quarterbacks: Will Howard seemed to pick apart the Texas D in the semifinal. Riley Leonard, however, seemed to have trouble throwing.
Injury Bug: Notre Dame’s offensive line is decimated. Can it withstand the Buckeyes?
Coaches: Ryan Day or Marcus Freeman? Who do you give the advantage to?
Get In Price: $1,486 (as of Monday 1/13); $1,210 (as of Wednesday 1/15)
Just For Men (#notsponsored) College Pick’em Challenge:
Our resident-college-football-expert John Crimella spent the weekend preparing for his dye job by picking up a box of “Jet Black” Just For Men. Stay tuned and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the episode where John unveils his new Ryan Day look.
Brian’s Pick: Ohio State
Gary’s Pick: Ohio State
John’s Pick: Notre Dame
Gary’s Cocktails of the Week:
It is last call here at the Tailgators Setup Podcast! Gary has a final cocktail of the week. It’s his most involved recipe, so make sure you plan plenty of time to make this wonderful concoction that is fit for a…champion!
Champions Punch:
3 orange slices, halved
Fresh or frozen cranberries
2.5 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
1.5 cups ginger ale
2 bottles brut champagne, chilled
1 bottle sweet white wine, chilled
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
Line bottom of a 6 cup ring mold with orange slices and cranberries. Combine pineapple juice and ginger ale; pour over fruit.
Freeze until solid.
Just before serving, unmold ice ring into a punch bowl. Gently stir in remaining ingredients.
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