Week 1: Tonight…we get you ready for what promises to be one of the most entertaining and enticing Week 1s in college football history. A No. 1 versus a No. 3, storied programs face off, historic rivalries, and a pro football legend goes back to school. Plus, our game of the week, we pick our winners, and Sir-Mix-A-Lot, I mean Gary, is serving up some drinks. So get in the huddle, it’s Tailgators on two…hut-hut!
1st Down: Loaded and intriguing schedule of match-ups for Week 1 of the college football season, minus Florida taking on the fighting goombahs of Long Island University (NL) and Nevada travelling to Penn State (-44).
Saturday:
No. 8 Alabama at Florida State 3:30 p.m. ABC
No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson, 7:30 p.m. ABC
Sunday:
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami, 7:30 p.m. ABC
Monday:
TCU at North Carolina, 8 p.m. ESPN
2nd Down: Good-bye my friend! The guys reminisce and remember Beano Cook Lee Corso.
3rd Down: SEC announces it will play a 9 conference game schedule for 2026. And can only schedule one non-Power 5 team each season.
4th Down: Unproven quarterbacks. Top-ranked teams will be playing with unproven players behind center. We take a look and discuss what to expect.
Watch Tailgators Setup Podcast on Substack:
John’s Game of the Week:
No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State, 12 p.m. FOX
John gives us his take on this week’s featured game.
The Head Coaches: Ryan Day vs. Steve Sarkisian
Ryan Day won the national championship last year.
The Quarterbacks: Arch Manning vs. Julian Sayin
Manning has two career college starts while Sayin has thrown 12 passes in four games during mop-up duty.
The Defenses: Horns vs. Buckeyes
Ohio State lost its D-coordinator to Penn State and replaced him with former Patriots D-coordinator and Lions head coach Matt Patricia.
The (#notsponsored) Pick’em Challenge:
Last year’s loser, John, joins Gary with a 1-game lead over Brian. See who is picking some upsets this week!
Last Week: John 4-1; Gary 4-1; Brian 3-2
Gary’s Cocktails of the Week: The Stadium Series
The Scarlet Shoe
1.5 oz Vodka
Bitters
A splash of Lemonade
Club Soda
Lemon peel
Add vodka to the shaker of ice with a few drops of bitters, shake well, pour over ice, add splash of lemonade and top with club soda, and lemon peel for garnish.
Urban Artifact Capy Snacks — Cincinnati Black Raspberry
5% ABV Fruit Beer
Location: 1660 Blue Rock St, Cincinnati OH
The Heisman Watch:
The guys discuss who they think can make a major Heisman statement during Week 1 of the college football season.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas:
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson:
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU:
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State:
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State:
DJ Lagway, QB, Florida:
Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State:
Carson Beck, QB, Miami:
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina:
