The Tailgators Setup Podcast: Week 12

MOORE, MOORE, MOORE: Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore likes the feeling of defeating Penn State on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Moore coaching in place of Jim Harbaugh, who was suspended by the Big Ten. / Source: ESPN

Hot Topics of the Week: Let’s talk briefly about…

Latest AP Top 6: 1. Georgia; 2. Michigan; 3. Ohio State; 4. Florida State; 5. Washington; 6. Oregon

College Football Playoff Top 6: 1. Georgia (+1); 2. Ohio State (-1); 3. Michigan; 4. Florida State; 5. Washington; 6. Oregon

My Sherrone: On Friday, head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended from on-field coaching for the team’s remaining three games. On Saturday, interim coach Sherrone Moore led the Wolverines to a 24-15 victory over Penn State.

UNDER FIRE: Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M teams have underperformed. He was fired this week, but leaves with a beautiful parting gift - $76 million in a record buyout. / Source: Sports Illustrated

Texas A&M Fires Jimbo: Texas A&M fired head coach Jimbo Fisher following the team’s 51-10 victory over Mississippi State. Fisher had a 45-25 record in six seasons. The decision includes a record buyout of $76 million, including a $19.2 million within 60 days and $7.2 annually through 2031. Penn State fired OC Mike Yurcich Sunday following the teams’ 24-15 loss to Michigan. Boise State relieves Andy Avalos. Zack Arnett is gone from Mississippi State.

Best Bowl Matchup/Loser-Leave-Town Match: Best idea I saw this week: Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin vs. Penn State and James Franklin. Going old school wrasslin’ here. It can’t be a hair match because, well, Franklin doesn’t have any hair.

Bama Clinches: Alabama clinched its spot in the SEC Championship Game. The Tide will have a say in the College Football Playoff.

Texas Hurts: According to ESPN, Texas running back Jonathon Brooks will have surgery after suffering a torn ACL on Saturday against TCU and is out for the season.

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Game of the Week: 

PAC MENTALITY: Oregon State can have a say in the Pac-12 Championship with a win this weekend against undefeated Washington. / Source: Oregon Live

5 Washington at 11 Oregon State 7:30 p.m. on ABC: John, not sure if this is the game of the week, but is really the only sexy matchup between two ranked teams. Or the Georgia-Tennessee game, but Georgia has been manhandling everybody.

This Week’s College Football Playoff Rankings (2023 Record in Parenthesis):

Other games to watch:

3 Michigan at Maryland 12 p.m. on FOX: The only question about this one is whether Maryland fans leave before or immediately after the halftime show.

Rutgers at 12 Penn State 12 p.m. on FS1: How does Penn State and James Franklin react to another loss? Can Greg Schiano bury Franklin’s coaching career in Happy Valley? Add the fact the Nittany Lions will be playing without their offensive coordinator, don’t sleep on this one. 

10 Louisville at Miami 12 p.m. on ABC: Is Louisville still alive for an ACC championship? A spot in the College Football Playoff?

1 Georgia at 18 Tennessee 3:30 p.m. on CBS: A big SEC showdown.

Minnesota at 2 Ohio State 4 p.m. on BTN: I don’t think Minnesota could win, even with Brock Lesnar.

North Alabama at 4 Florida State 6:30 p.m. on CW Network: Why is FSU on the CW? That’s really the only question about this one?

John’s Underdog of the Week:

UCLA vs USC 3:30 p.m. on ABC: USC is a 7 point favorite at home but with nothin got play for. Give me Chip Kelly and a halfway ok defense to upset the Trojans one more time this year!

7 Texas at Iowa State 8 p.m. on FOX: The Cyclones are a good football team and Texas has to replace their starting running back who tore and ACL last week. Give me the Cyclones at home!

The Over/Under: What’s the under for Iowa’s game against Illinois this week?

UNDER WRAPS: Iowa celebrating another ‘under’ against Northwester earlier this season. / Source: Black Heart Gold Pants

Illinois at Iowa (-3) 3:30 p.m. FS1: The line is 30.5! The boys have learned their lesson, and their sticking with the UNDER!

Heisman Trophy Watch:

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: Jalen Milroe’s performance against Kentucky this week has Brian thinking Heisman for the Alabama quarterback. / Source: CBS Sports

Brian has been dogging Jalen Milroe all season, and thought this week would be his ultimate downfall. Instead, he accounts for 6 TDs against Kentucky. Now Brian is wondering if there’s enough time for the Alabama quarterback to make a push for the Heisman?

John makes a case for LSU quaterback Jayden Daniels. Gary’s warming up to Michael Penix Jr.

131 teams. Only 1 will survive.