Have you recovered from Saturday night? What a finish down in Alabama!
And Week 6 is sure to provide more excitement and possible upsets loom for a number of teams looking toward the College Football Playoff.
So without further adieu, let’s break the huddle. It’s…
First Down: Matthew Sluka folds on UNLV over his NIL deal. UNLV responds with a win, led by Hajj-Malik Williams (a 6th year transfer from Campbell1). UNLV cracks the Top 25.
Second Down: Georgia-Alabama. Alabama ran out to a 28-0 lead before giving back the game before high school senior Ryan Williams grabs the winning touchdown. Reaction to the game and what is the fallout as it pertains to the SEC and the CFP? Can Georgia win the SEC?
Third Down: Friday Night Football. The Friday night games have been gems so far this year. VT-Miami and Washington-Rutgers play down to the wire this week. This week, Michigan State visits Oregon and Syracuse travels to UNLV.
Fourth Down: Florida St. is in free fall (face a resurgent Clemson this week), and UNC (Pitt) and coach Mack Brown are in a tailspin. Meanwhile, Colorado is 4-1, and 2-0 in the Big XII. Does Deion and Co. have a shot at the CFP? Rutgers and Indiana 4-0. Rutgers does not have to play Michigan, Ohio St. or Penn St.
John’s Game of the Week:
Iowa vs No. 3 Ohio State (3:30 p.m. on CBS)
This week a resurgent Iowa (3-1) offense enters the Horseshoe to take on an untested but highly ranked and undefeated Buckeyes team.
Led by former Michigan signal caller Cade McNamara and running back Kaleb Johnson (685 yards, 9 TDs), the Hawkeyes are averaging a whopping 32 points per game. They partner that with a stingy defense that is allowing only 13.8 points per game.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, counter with an offense averaging 307 passing yards and 227 rushing yards per game. Led by quarterback Will Howard, the Buckeyes are averaging nearly 49 points per game. They also have the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing only 6.8 points per game.
Other games to watch this week: No. 9 Mizzou vs No. 25 Texas A&M; Rutgers (4-0) at Nebraska; No. 10 Michigan at Washington (rematch of the national championship game); No. 11 USC at Minnesota (a third consecutive road game for the Trojans after travelling to Michigan and Wisconsin); UCF at Florida (Will it be Bill Napier’s last game with the Gators?); No. 8 Miami at Cal (ESPN’s College GameDay is in town for the first time ever!).
Watch Tailgators Setup Podcast on Substack:
The Just for Men (#notsponsored) Pick ‘em Challenge:
Last week, the guys finished all finished with a 6-5 record, so no changes in the standings, meaning Brian still leads with a record of 37-25, Gary stands two behind at 35-27, with resident college football expert John bringing up the rear at 34-28.
Over/Under: Iowa at No. 3 Ohio State (44.5)
Gary’s Cocktails of the Week:
Iowa Hawkeye Mule:
2 parts Vodka
4 parts Ginger Beer
1 part Lime Juice
Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice, then pour into a copper cup full of crushed ice, add a lime wedge.
Buckeye Bourbon Blitz:
1.5 oz bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
Orange peel
Add ice and ingredients to mixing glass, stir vigorously. Add large ice cube to rocks glass, strain contents over ice and add orange peel.
Heisman Watch:
Ashton Jeanty, Boise St.: 845 yards and 13 TDs.
Travis Hunter, Colorado: 561 yards receiving, 6 TDs on offense. 2 INTs on defense.
Cam Ward, Miami: 1,782 yards passing, 18 TDs, 92.7 QBR.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama: 976 yards passing, 10 TDs, and led Bama to victory over No. 2 Georgia.
Brian’s 10th grade driving instructor, Mr. Underwood, was a proud graduate from Campbell University.
Week 6: NIL deal gone wrong; Bama does right