Hot Topics of the Week: Let’s talk briefly about…
Latest AP Top 5: 1. Georgia; 2. Michigan; 3. Ohio State; 4. Florida State; 5. Washington
College Football Playoff Top 6: 1. Ohio State; 2. Georgia; 3. Michigan; 4. Florida State; 5. Washington; 6. Oregon.
Michigan Cheating Scandal: Football analyst Connor Stalions “resigned” earlier this week. Purdue coach Ryan Walters was not afraid to speak out about Michigan and gave Harbaugh the drive-by after their game this week.
Monday: Big Ten notified Michigan it could face discipline this season.
Tuesday: Michigan claims Ohio State, Rutgers and Purdue all shared signs in 2022.
Wednesday: ESPN reports Blake Corum is part of an LLC organization owned by Connor Stalions.
Road Trip to Maryland: Brian recaps his visit to the University of Maryland, where he saw Penn State defeat the Terps, 51-15, in a game that was like watching a death by a thousand paper cuts.
USC Fires the Grinch: No, not that Grinch! Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, after the team’s 52-42 loss to Washington on Saturday. Donors apparently had some influence in Grinch’s removal. Are USC boosters ultimately hurting the program, going back to Lane Kiffin’s hiring and firing?
Caleb Williams Done?: Williams could be seen with his face covered and seemed to be crying after the loss to Washington with a family member in the stands last week. Could he be pulling himself from the rest of the season?
RGIII, spoke about Wlliams’ “passion.” However, others, including Jason Whitlock and an NFL player, said the scene made Williams’ “undraftable,” and look “soft.”
We ask Gary, if he was GM of the New England Patriots, would he draft Williams in the first round?
Now you can watch the Tailgators Setup podcast here on Substack:
Game(s) of the Week:
3 Michigan (-4.5) at 10 Penn State 12 p.m. on FOX: Brian: Do we think James Franklin changed his signs? Could the Beaver Stadium crowd, and the fact Michigan hasn’t played a competitive game all year, be the downfall for the Wolverines?
9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (-10.5) 7 p.m. on ESPN: Brian: This is a big game, which means Lane Kiffin’s team will wilt, right? Georgia, whenever they’ve been challenged or doubted, has responded with a strong performance.
This Week’s College Football Playoff Rankings (2023 Record in Parenthesis):
Other games to watch:
Virginia at 11 Louisville (-20) (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. on ESPN: Louisville needs to keep winning to get to the ACC Championship game. Virginia has been wrecking peoples seasons.
8 Alabama (-10.5) at Kentucky 12 p.m. on ESPN: Brian: Can Stoops’ defense be the one to finally put the Jalen Milroe Experience to bed?
18 Utah at 5 Washington (-9.5) 3:30 p.m. on FOX: Brian: I think Washington is now the worst undefeated Big 5 program remaining. That’s why I dropped them out of the Top 4 this week. The defense is shaky, and I didn’t like what I saw from Penix Jr. against USC.
Miami at 4 Florida State (-14.5) 3:30 p.m. on ABC: Brian: Granted, it’s not the ‘90s anymore, but if the Hurricanes can’t get up for this game, something’s wrong. Are the Seminoles “primed” for an upset?
Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (-31.5) 7:30 p.m. on NBC: Brian: I don’t think the Buckeyes have anything to be worried about here, but since they’re No. 1, I figured we should talk about them.
USC at 6 Oregon (-16.5) 10:30 p.m. on FOX: Brian: The USC offense can score. Will they be able to stop anyone the week after firing its D coordinator? If this game becomes a shoot-out, can Oregon and Gary’s buddy, Bo Nix, keep up? We’ll have to wait until Sunday morning, because I’m not staying up to watch the end of this one.
John’s Underdog of the Week:
Florida vs LSU: Jayden Daniels is in concussion protocol and LSU’s defense can’t stop anyone. Florida may not win but they can beat the 14 point spread.
*Brian’s Pick from last week: Northwestern and Iowa combined to score 17 points! The line was 30.5. Talk about a bad beat.
Rutgers at Iowa (-1.5) 3:30 BTN: Whatever the line is, take the under. I’ve learned my lesson with Iowa. Line as of Tuesday evening: 28.5.
Heisman Trophy Watch:
With three or four games left, the Heisman race is an open slate. John says Bo Nix might be the best player in the country the last three weeks, as much as that pains him to say it.
Brian’s Take: Harrison only had 4 catches, granted 2 were for TDs, last week. I don’t know if he’s quite the impact player he needs to be to win the Heisman. Tim Brown, Notre Dame, returned punts and kick-offs. Desmond Howard played both ways, and special teams. Harrison isn’t that “unicorn” to win the Heisman.
131 teams. Only 1 will survive.
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