It took awhile, but college football finally delivered on a little bit of chaos. It wasn’t the typical chaos usually handed out by an Iowa or a Pitt, but Ohio State’s throttling of Michigan has thrown a wrench in the engine.

But first, the wackiness in College Station:

Texas A&M 74 LSU 71, 7 OT - I don’t have enough time to write all the craziness that happened in this game. You’ll have to watch the highlights. Basically, LSU thought they had clinched the victory with 30 ticks to go on an interception that turned out not counting. That was followed by a huge 4th & 18 conversion by TAMU that had the Cajun folks all in a lather by the spot but the yellow ESPN first down line was in the wrong place. Then TAMU’s Kellen Mond connects on a 19-yard touchdown pass against “DBU” with no time left on the clock to tie the game.

As you can see above, the two teams improbably scored the same way though six overtimes: FG, TD, TD+2, FG, TD+missed 2, TD+2. Finally in the 7th extra frame, the Aggies converted their 2-pointer after the Tigers missed. This marathon overtime period had replays, sacks, a 50-yard field goal, near-miss turnovers, 4th down conversions, a LSU targeting call (as per usual), Lanard Fournette, double-passes, and even an embarrassing post-game scuffle involving Jimbo Fisher’s idiot nephew and former NFL star turned LSU staffer Kevin Faulk. If you have 34 minutes to spare, watch the game highlights.

[SIDE NOTE: As fun and exciting as this game was, scoring in overtime is too easy. Moving the ball back to the 30 yard line would fix this.]

ROLL TIDE

ALABAMA 52 Auburn 21

This version of the Iron Bowl started out as one of those typical games where Auburn gets the crazy bounces, blocked kicks, cheap shot injuries on Tide players, a no-call touchdown, and stupid trick plays that have no business working. However, this Crimson Tide team would not be denied their revenge.

The Auburn offense and RB JaTarvious Whitlow started out strong with 26 rushing yards in the first quarter but only 35 over the next three quarters. The Tigers converted a few too many first downs and kept it a semi-close game but the Tide seemed in control the entire time. Alabama never trailed and came out in the second half guns a-blazing. Tua Tagovailoa looked SO good: running, passing and commanding this offense.

Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle, Josh Jacobs, and Irv Smith Jr. all had three or more receptions and all but Irv found the end zone through the air. Oddly enough, it was Tagovailoa who scored the only rushing touchdown. Coming into this game, Auburn was giving up 16.6 points per game - NINTH best in the nation. They had not given up more than 30 all season. That number jumped to 19.6 (19th) after the Iron Bowl.

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

On defense, Anfernee Jennings had 4 solo tackles, 4 assists, a sack, an INT, a passed defensed and a QBH. LaBryan Ray stepped up big with 2 solos, 7 assists, a sack and a QBH. Jarrett Stidham (13/30, 127 yards) was sacked three times, hurried 8 times and had 6 passes defensed. Alabama outgained the Tigers 500 to 283.

With back-up quarterback Mac Jones holding, Joseph Bulovas converted all seven of his PATs and a 30 yard field goal. Outside of the blocked punt in the second quarter that was converted into an Auburn touchdown, Mike Bernier’s punting was adequate (39, 48, 37, 40). Coverage teams were excellent.

RIP Dixieland Delight

Well, the drunk a-hole students have killed Dixieland Delight. I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted. NSFW.

Seven non-offensive touchdown and two safeties for the Crimson Tide this season:

• vs. Louisville Josh Jacobs 77 yard kickoff return.
• vs. Louisville Shyheim Carter 45 yard interception return.
• vs. Arkansas State Saivion Smith 38 yard interception return.
• vs. Ole Miss Xavier McKinney 30 yard interception return.
• vs. ULL Jaylen Waddle 63 yard punt return
• vs. Arkansas Shyheim Carter 44 yard interception return.
• vs. Mizzou Drew Lock sacked by Quinnen Williams in the end zone for a safety.
• vs. Tennessee Keller Chryst downed in the end zone for a safety.
• vs Citadel Anfernee Jennings 18 yard fumble return.

ESS-EE-SEE

Not a good look for the SEC.

Mississippi State 35 Ole Miss 3 - The Bullies had no problem with the RebelAckbarSharkManBearPigs this season. Fully healthy Nick Fitzgerald (11/18 for 111 yds, TD; 18 rush for 117 yds, 2 TDs) and Kylin Hill (17-108, TD) imposed their will on a downtrodden OM defense. The Rebs defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff was dismissed after the game (STAY THE F AWAY FROM T-TOWN, LUKE). The game was marred by cheap shots, ball-spinning, scuffles galore as well as an all-out brawl. Maybe instead of the Egg Bowl, they should call this the Thug Bowl and play the game on a playground with no refs. I get that it’s a hated rivalry game but this brawl got downright nasty and could’ve easily gotten real ugly. Neither of these coaches have control over their squads. Mississippi AD Ross Bjork and Mississippi State’s John Cohen have been called to Principal Sankey’s office in Birmingham to discuss this melee.

Georgia 45 Georgia Tech 21 - UGA scored on every first half possession to jump out to a overwhelming 38-7 halftime lead and cruised in the second half. It wasn’t until the score was 45-7 in the final frame when the Yeller Jackets scored two late touchdowns against the Bulldogs walk-ons, a couple of cheerleaders, and a hot dog vendor at middle linebacker.

Clemson 56 South Carolina 35 - This game was much closer than the final score indicates - especially since Dabo Swinney kept passing the ball late in the game to score a final last touchdown with 39 ticks to go. The halftime score was 28-21 and probably would’ve been 28-24 had WiIl Muschamp not chosen to go for a touchdown on 4th & goal at Clemson 2. The Gamecocks exposed the Tigers secondary.

Vanderbilt 38 Tennessee 13 - LOL on Fat F*** Phil Fulmer! Vandy goes to a bowl and Tennessee goes home. Now old Fat-Ass can busy himself taking credit for the basketball team. It was a dominating effort from the ‘Dores who outgained the Vols 467 to 242. The black & gold earned 28 first downs and yielded only 13 to UT. Vandy possessed the ball 43:03 of the 60 minutes.

Florida 41 Florida State 14 - The Gators beat up on the ‘Noles as expected. The Seminoles end their season with a losing record for the first time since Bobby Bowden’s first season in 1976, and won’t appear in a bowl game for the first time since 1981.

Kentucky 56 Louisville 10 - The ‘Cats ran all over a sad Cards team going through the motions. It is UK’s first 9-win season since 1984. Only twice have they won double-digits: 10-1 in 1977 and 11-1 under Bear Bryant in 1950.

Missouri 38 Arkansas 0 - Fitting ends for both teams. On a miserable cold and rainy day, Mizzou outgained the Hawgs 408-187.

NATIONAL

Ohio State 62 Michigan 39 - The Buckeyes jumped out to a dominating 21-6 lead and appeared to be on their way to an easy victory. Then UM drove the field inside 3 minutes for a score, anOSU fumbled the kickoff that the Wolverines converted to a second touchdown in the span of 5 seconds to make it 21-19 (two-point conversion failed). Christmas came early in the second half in Columbus as the Wolverines gifted a blocked punt touchdown followed by a Shea Patterson interception that set the ‘Eyes up for another score. Suddenly, it was 41-19 and Michigan could never catch up.

Notre Dame 24 Southern Cal 17 - The Irish were a little sluggish and a little lucky to squeak this one out against a 5-win So Cal team who lost three in a row to end the season. The game was the ABC prime time game, so you know folks saw it. If you didn’t know the score, you’d think the Trojans were up by 20 by the way they were playing. But then the second half came and they reverted back to their lethargic ways with 5 straight possessions ending in punts.

Washington 28 Washington State 15 - Before the game, both teams were “warming-up” shirtless in the frigid weather in some silly attempt at intimidation. Then it occurred to me that Mississippi native QB Gardner Minshew who had played his previous two seasons at East Carolina has probably never played in this kind of weather.

These two went at it most of the game while flaky snow fell from the sky. But there is no blaming the weather. The Huskies were clearly the better team with senior running back Myles Gaskin capping a fine career at UW with a 170 yard effort on 27 carries and three touchdowns. Minshew connected on 26 of 35 passes but only produced 152 yards and 2 picks to go with 0 TDs. It was the sixth straight Apple Cup win for UW.

Oklahoma 59 West Virginia 56 - A tutorial on how NOT to play defense was on display on Friday night: Huge holes for running backs to run through, quarterbacks standing in the pocket for a good 5 seconds, wide receivers running free, arm tackles, and missed assignments were aplenty. It’s enough to make Bum Phillips turn over in his grave. WVU had 704 yards and 33 first downs while Oklahoma had 668 and 25. That is 355 more combined yards than TAMU and LSU gained in their 7 overtime game. This was pure garbage football.

WVU QB Will Grier had two fumbles returned for touchdowns (note that the only good defense was when the offense made a horrible mistake), the second of which made it a ridiculous 59-49 score. The Mountaineers were able to put together one last touchdown drive but Okie converted a couple of first downs and were able to run out the clock.

Texas 24 Kansas 17 - The Longhorns win clinched a spot in the Big XII Championship Game but it was not a convincing victory over 3-win KU led by a lame duck coach. The two teams had one yard differential in total yards (297-296). Sam Ehlinger threw a pair of bad interceptions.

Virginia Tech 34 Virginia 31 OT - After a UVa interception with 3:42 to play, most Hokies fans gave up on their team down 28-24. However, the VaTech defense held the Cavs to a field goal and then converted an improbable 75 yard drive on five plays over 50 seconds to tie up the game. The Hokies kicked a field goal in the first OT and won it on a missed exchange between Virginia’s quarterback and running back that was recovered by the defense.

UVa (7-5) has lost their 15th in a row in the series. Because of this win, VaTech (5-6) will play a make-up game against Marshall (8-3) that was contingent on them winning this game, so they could play for win number six. If they had lost to Virginia, the game would not have been played.

Arizona State 41 Arizona 40 - The Wildcats blew a 19 point fourth quarter lead and loss when their kicker missed a 45-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds to play. Herm Edwards 1, Kevin Sumlin 0. With ‘Zona finishing with a disappointing 5-7 record, you have to wonder if rising senior Khalil Tate will stick around Tucson. He went from Heisman candidate last season to MIA this season.

THE WACKY WORLD OF CFB PROGNOSTICATORS

Desi’s dream of a Big Blue championship is obliterated. He also missed out on West Virginia in the playoff. Remarkably, Washington is back in the running for the PAC, but they aren’t making the playoff with three losses.

• DESI - Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, West Virginia, Washington. Mich over WVU; Bama over UW; Mich over Bama.
• CORSO - Georgia, Clemson, Wisconsin, Texas, Washington. Clemson over UW; Wisky over UGA; Wisky over Clemson.
• HERBIE - Alabama, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma, Washington. Bama over UW; Clemson over PSU; Bama over Clemson.

MY PICKS

• Alabama, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma, Washington. Bama over Okie; Clemson over PSU; Bama over Clemson.

BAMA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

• Louisville (2-10) - The Cards were taken out back and put out of their misery by Kentucky on Saturday 56-10.
• Arkansas State (8-4) - The Red Wolves manhandled Texas State 33-7.
• La-Laf (7-5) - A missed 36-yard field goal attempt as time expired by ULM clinched the Sun Belt West division for the Ragin’ Cajuns 31-28.
• Citadel - The Fightin’ Cupcakes have a make-up game with Charleston Southern (5-5) on Thursday 6pm/7pm aired on ESPN+ if you are curious.
• BONUS: Bama cross-over Mizzou (8-4) shutdown and shutout Arky 38-0.

ADOPT-A-TEAM

• FAU! (5-7) - The Owls lost a home game on Senior Day to Charlotte (5-7) obliterating Lane Kiffin’s hope for a bowl game invite.
• Hawaii (8-5) - Another Dana Holgorsen victim! The Rainbow Warriors upset San Diego State in overtime 31-30 when the Aztecs failed on a two-point conversion in the first extra frame.

COUSINS

• Troy (9-3) - The Trojans fall to App State 21-10 and miss out on winning the Sun Belt East Division title.
• South Alabama (3-9) - The Jags end on a high note with a 31-28 win over Coastal Carolina.

THAT COUSIN YOU FORGOT ABOUT... OOPS!

• Jacksonville State (9-3) defeated East Tenn. St. (8-4) by the score of 34-27 in the first round of the FCS Playoff. They next face No. 7-seed Maine on Dec. 1 at 11am/noon, ESPN3.

THAT ANNOYING STEP-BROTHER WHO JUST GOT KNOCKED DOWN ANOTHER PEG

UAB (9-3) - Two losses in a row for the Blazers and this one was u-g-l-y. MTSU (8-4) held Birmingham U to 89 total yards, -1 yard rushing. That may be the lowest total by any FBS team this season, but don’t hold me to it. I checked Rice and Rutgers. Neither had numbers anywhere near that poor in any one game.

With the Blue Raiders win, these two teams will meet again next week in the Conference USA championship game also played in Mufreesboro, TN.

Middle Tennessee’s losses this year were @Vandy, @UGA, @FIU, and @UK. Imagine if they had played UCF’s schedule!

SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS

Looking at the records, Army had a superlative season, while Navy had a dismal one. However, Army played a really weak schedule. Their top two wins were over Buffalo and Hawaii. They also faced one-win San Jose State, two FCS teams and a team in Liberty who is transitioning from FCS to FBS.

On the other hand, Navy had to play in an unusually strong AAC against teams such as UCF, Temple, Cincinnati, Houston and Memphis as well as Notre Dame.

• Army (9-2) - The Black Knights did not play this week as they await the big game with Navy (Dec. 8 in Philadelphia).
• Navy (3-9) - Finally, the curse of Dana Holgorsen pays off. Unfortunately, it was at the Midshipmen’s expense. Tulane scored a late touchdown and two-point conversion to win 29-28. Only a win over Army can salvage this Navy season.
• Air Force (5-7) - Cole Fagan rushed for 260 yards, the third-most in Air Force history as the Falcons dumped shell-of-its-former-self Colorado State 27-19. Troy Calhoun just completed his 12th season in Colorado Springs. He led the Falcons to nine bowl games in his first 10 seasons. However, this is the second consecutive 5-7 campaign. The former Air Force quarterback’s job is probably secure for now but he will need to get back to a bowl next year.

ELIMINATED

NEWLY ELIMINATED:
Washington State - We applaud the Cougs. They had an entertaining run and college football needs guys like Mike Leach around. Even if you can’t prove that Craig James killed 5 hookers while at SMU.
Michigan - Khaki pants are so out.

All non-Power 5 teams.
Ole Miss
Arkansas
Arizona
Arizona State
Auburn
Baylor
Boston College
BYU
Cal
Colorado
Duke
Florida
FSU
Georgia Tech
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas State
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisville
Maryland
Miami
Michigan State
Minnesota
Mississippi State
Mizzou
NC State
Nebraska
North Carolina
Northwestern
Oklahoma State
Oregon
Oregon State
Penn State
Pitt
Purdue
Rutgers
Southern Cal
Stanford
Syracuse
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
TCU
Texas Tech
UCLA
Utah
Vandy
Wake Forest
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wisconsin
Washington
West Virginia

ENDANGERED

The following are still in the running but have a slim margin for error.

Clemson - vs Pitt
Georgia - vs Alabama
Ohio State - vs Northwestern.
Notre Dame - No more games.
Oklahoma - vs Texas.

THE CONTENDERS

A way WAY WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture:

The fourth of five weekly CFP rankings will be released tonight Tuesday, Nov. 27th at 6pm CT/7pm ET aired on ESPN.

• ACC - Ignore the final score. The SC game was a struggle for Clemson. They will demolish Pitt in the ACCCG and make the playoff but they are a shaky team.
• Big Ten - It’s Ohio State unless Northwestern (8-4) does something crazy like upset the Buckeyes. But can they make a convincing argument for slot #4?
• Big 12 - Okie is the last hope but, oh, that defense. SOOOO bad... The Sooners have to win the B12CG against Texas in Jerry’s World and may need to win it convincingly for any hope of winning the committee’s heart.
• PAC-12 - Nope.
• SEC - Alabama is 12-0 facing one-loss UGA in the SEC Championship Game.
• Indies - Notre Dame is 12-0 with no championship game to play. This sure is not going to convince them to join a conference already.

RANK ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM

Alabama again got all the AP votes and all but Saban’s one vote in the Coaches Poll. The Southeastern Conference has 7 teams ranked in the AP Poll:

#1 Alabama
#4 UGA
#11 Fla
#12 LSU
#16 UK
#20 MSU
#22 TAMU
(Aubie, not ranked)

My half-ass as-of-now ranking:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Notre Dame
6. Oklahoma

LET’S GO BOWLING

81 teams finish the season with bowl eligibility for the 78 bowl slots. Virginia Tech (5-6) needs to beat Marshall to join them. A few 6-win teams will be stuck at home in December. I am guessing Tulane, Miami (Ohio), Wyoming, and UL Monroe.

Eleven SEC teams will be participating in a bowl game this winter. Tennessee and Arky stay home. Ole Miss finished 5-7 and are on a bowl ban anyway.

1. Alabama 12-0 - Look to be playoff bound.
2. Georgia 11-1 - Need to beat Alabama to get into the playoff.
3. LSU 9-3 - Possible NY6 bowl.
4. Florida 9-3 - Possible NY6 bowl.
5. Kentucky 9-3 - With success comes a tougher bowl opponent.
6. Missouri 8-4
7. Mississippi State 8-4
8. Texas A&M 8-4
9. Auburn 7-5 - Fifth place in the SEC West. Ahhh, that was enjoyable to type out.
10. South Carolina 6-5 - SC still has a game with Akron (hurricane make-up game) to improve their position.
11. Vanderbilt 6-6 - Derek Mason saves his job for another year.
12. Tennessee 5-7 - Suck on that FFPF.
13. Ole Miss 5-7 - Was it worth it, Ole Miss? Was it worth two wins over Bama and still being a runner-up in the SEC West both years?
14. Arkansas 2-10 - Awful.

ACC Bowl Eligible (10): Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Wake Forest.
Big Ten (9): Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota.
Big 12 (7): Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, West Virginia, Baylor, Iowa State, TCU .
Pac-12 (7): Arizona State, Cal, Oregon, Stanford, Utah, Washington, Washington State.

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

STATS OF THE WEEK

• Ole Miss allowed at least 28 points in 22-straight conference games. The next closest active streak in the SEC was Vanderbilt with 3 until they snapped that Saturday.
• Among Power 5 teams, only North Carolina (2-8), Louisville (2-9), Ole Miss (5-7), Wake Forest (5-6), Illinois (4-7), and Oregon State (2-10) give up more yards per game than Oklahoma who yields 449.0 ypg.
• The UConn Huskies set FBS single-season records for points allowed (605) and yards allowed (7,409).
• Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe finishes the season connecting on 16 of 17 field goals and making all 28 of his extra points. His one miss is a a 43-yarder. He is a junior. Maybe the REC can get him to grad transfer!

NAME OF THE DAY

• Hasan Defense who plays defense for Kansas. Like he ever had a choice.

Krazy Kristi’s “SHUT UP!” of the Week goes to the SEC refs who screwed up the disqualifications of the Egg Bowl. The head official announced “numbers 2 and number 3 of the defense (MSU)... and a number 38 of the offense (Ole Miss).” Johnathan Abram (#38 MSU) and AJ Brown (#1 OM) were the ones who started the fight when they exchanged punches and both remained in the game. Then QB Matt Corral (#2 OM) and Jamal Peters (#2 MSU) got into it. Corral got his helmet ripped off his head by Peters but Corral was clearly the instigator and stayed in the game. Peters was ejected. C.J. Moore (#38 OM) got the boot as well but KK didn’t see him any where near the fight. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler (#3 MSU) looked a little fired up but replays did not pinpoint anything he might have done.

After things settled down, the officials went to a long replay to see if the play had gotten off before the play clock expired (it did not). This was ample time for the fine folks in Birmingham to rectify the expulsions. There was no way Corral, Brown and Abram should have been allowed to stay in the game.

[SIDE NOTE: Corral is a hothead and will be a headache for OM in the future. You can see him in the video above just looking for trouble. Only a bear hug from big ass Jeffrey Simmons slowed him down. The freshman was committed to both Southern Cal and Florida but fell out of favor with both and had offers pulled. He was stuck signing with a team on probation. What does that tell you?]

Runner-up: Floppers. Leave that crap on the soccer fields and the lame-o NBA courts. KK would like to see the NCAA adopt a reviewable penalty for floppers: ten yards, delay of game.

HEISMAN HYPE

With the exception of TWO YEARS, the Heisman Trophy voting is basically a hype award. Often times voters fall in love with someone way too early. This year, that love may last.

Favorites (in no particular order)-

The Tide QB still leads but the Bama-haters are pushing the diminutive baseball player who couldn’t hack it at Texas A&M.

1. Tua Tagovailoa (QB Alabama Soph.) - Who needs a “Heisman moment” when all your moments are Heisman worthy? Tua had a superb game passing 25/32, 324 yards, 5 TD to four different receivers and 0 INT. He had a few passes that were flat-out jaw-droppers. He also rushed 4 times for 26 yards and a score.
2. Kyler Murray (QB Oklahoma Jr.) - Scooter was 20/27 passing for 364 yards, 3 TD, a lost fumble and 1 INT in a dink and dunk attack throwing to wide-ass open receivers all day long. He ran 9 times for 114 yards and one TD. Did you know he plays baseball too?!?!

Runner-Ups-

• Dwayne Haskins (QB thatOSU RS Soph.) - He is too far behind but could still get a free trip to NYC.
• Will Grier (QB West Virginia Sr.) had a big night numbers-wise (32/49, 539, 4 TD, 0 INT) but also lost two critical fumbles that were returned for scores. Maybe a NYC also-ran.
• Quinnen Williams (DL Alabama RS Soph.) - 2 solos, 1 asst, sack, 2 QBH.

If I had a vote:

• Tua. I have never in my life asked a person for an autograph but I am tempted to go to A-Day next year and stand in line for this guy. He is something special. With all apologies to Snake, Joe Willie, Harry Gilmer and every other Alabama QB, Tua Tagovailoa is the greatest player to ever play quarterback at Alabama. If you aren’t doing it already, collect mementos from this season and appreciate what is happening at the Capstone right now.

THE SICK REPORT

• After the game, Nick Saban stated “I think (Isaiah) Buggs will be okay. He’s got a hyper-extended knee, but I think he’ll be okay.” Shockingly, nobody asked Saban for an update during the Monday presser. The senior defensive lineman was cut block by a cheapshot Aubie and never re-emerged from the locker room in the second half. Deonte Brown (turf toe) and Alex Leatherwood (twisted ankle) started the Iron Bowl and played until garbage time.
• Terrell Lewis was back at practice on Monday and there is some speculation that he may play in the SECCG. My hunch is he’ll play if needed or the Tide build a big lead, just to shake the rust off.
• Due to targeting against Auburn, Alabama will be without dime-back Jared Mayden for the first half of the SECCG. Dime packages will probably not be needed as much against UGA. Keaton Anderson got a good deal of playing time after the ejection. When a reporter asked how the Tide will handle Mayden’s absence against the Bulldogs, Saban quipped: “As soon as I get out of here I’ll call Kirby and tell him exactly what we’re gonna do so that they’ll be able to prepare for that... I’m not willing to share what we’re going to do right now. I’ll call him and tell him, and you can call him and ask.”
• The status of Georgia starting middle linebacker Monty Rice for Saturday’s SEC championship game is still up in the air. He injured his foot in pregame warmups two weeks ago for the UMass game.
• UCF’s star quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a gruesome leg injury against South Florida and will not be back this season. His back-up Darriel Mack was 5/14 passing for 81 yards in his stead. Could this derail the Knights attempt at back-to-back undefeated seasons? Feleipe Franks and Gator Nation are breathing a sigh of relief.
• Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow played this past Saturday despite knocking the bleep out of his head on the ground the week before. I guess Dabo’s concussion protocol is if you can find your way to the stadium, you’re okay to play.

DRAMA

• Not that anyone noticed but UNC and NC State got in a fracas after their game ended on a game-winning TD by the Wolfpack in overtime. The ACC suspended four players from the Heels, two of whom are seniors, and three from the NCSU for a half of their next game. The ‘Pack has a make-up game with East Carolina on Saturday while UNC’s suspensions will carry over to 2019’s opener against South Carolina.
• Miami starting wide receiver Jeff Thomas is no longer part of the program, reportedly because of off-field issues. However, The Miami Herald reported that the sophomore had clashed with wide receivers coach Ron Dugans. Thomas led the ‘Canes with 35 receptions for 563 yards with three touchdowns. This ish just seems to follow Mark Richt, doesn’t it?
• Remember former Oklahoma State receiver Jalen McCleskey who thought he wasn’t getting enough touches in Stillwater (15 receptions, 155 yards, two TDs in first four games) and took advantage of the poorly thought-out redshirt rule? Well, bro tweeted out last week that he will transfer to Tulane. Enjoy that.

• Urban Meyer celebrated his win by renting a large bullet-proof glass cubicle anchored on the back of a flat bed truck and proceeded to eat a five course meal of crab cake appetizers flown in from Maryland, creamy wild mushroom soup, a kale salad, a T-bone steak and baked potato with asparagus, and a flourless chocolate cake for dessert while parked out front of a homeless shelter.

COACHING CAROUSEL

• Larry Fedora was let go at North Carolina after seven seasons, including back-to-back nine-loss campaigns. Not that long ago, Fedora was the hot name in the coaching carousel after leading Southern Miss to a 12-2 record in 2011. His Tar Heels did go 11-3 in 2015, followed by 8-5, 3-9 and this year’s 2-9. It would’ve been 2-10 if not for a cancelled game with UCF (who NEVER makes any effort to reschedule). In a whirlwind romance, 67-year old Mack Brown has agreed to return to UNC. He previously coached them from 1988–1997. The former Texas coach has not patrolled the sidelines since 2013 after being Processed® out. Why not bring a former coach back? It worked so well for Bobby Petrino and Louisville.
• Texas Tech fired Kliff Kingsbury after six seasons at his alma mater. He was 35-40 overall and 1-2 in bowl games. I am not defending the guy but that is a tough gig. You’re located in godforsaken middle-of-nowhere Lubbock, Texas and trying to convince kids to come to your school over Texas, TAMU, Oklahoma, TCU, Houston...
• Clay Helton has gotten a stay of execution at Southern Cal despite a 5-7 campaign. He deserves another chance after two double-digit win campaigns in the the two previous seasons.
• Is this the end for former UGA QB and OC Mike Bobo at Colorado State? In four seasons, the Rams have gone 7-6 with a bowl loss, 7-6 with a bowl loss, 7-6 with a bowl loss, and 3-9. His predecessor went 4-8, 8-5 with a bowl win, 10-3 before heading to Gainesville, FL. #BringBackJimMcElwain
• Bama OC Mike Locksley has been named a finalist for the Broyles Award for top assistant. He has done an excellent job combining subtlety with knowing when to step on the accelerator. I can’t imagine the Tide losing him unless it is for a head coaching job.
• That said... there are also job openings at Colorado, Louisville, Maryland, Western Kentucky, Charlotte, Texas State, Central Michigan, UMass, and Bowling Green. Let’s hope ADs, Mack and Miles and other newly hired coaches stay the F away from T-town.

EYEBALLS

Auburn-Alabama had an overnight rating of 5.4 for CBS at 2:30/3:30 beating out games such as Notre Dame-Southern Cal, Oklahoma-West Virginia, and Washington-Washington State. However, Michigan-Ohio State noon game on FOX was #1 for the weekend.

THIS WEEK

POST-SEASON

(For those of you looking for the FCS Playoff bracket, look here. No really. It’s the bracket. I swear.)

Friday, Nov 30:

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Northern Illinois vs Buffalo (Detroit, MI) 6pm/7pm ESPN2

PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Utah vs Washington (49ers Stadium) 7pm/8pm FOX

Saturday, Nov 24:

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Texas vs Oklahoma (Jerry’s World) 11am/noon ABC

SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

ULL vs Appalachian State (Boone, NC) 11am/noon ESPN

C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

UAB vs MTSU (Murfreesboro, TN) 12:30/1:30 CBSSN

AAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Memphis vs Center Florida (Orlando - now how is that fair, playing at home?) 2:30/3:30 ABC - not that anyone we’ll be watching...

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Alabama vs Georgia (Atlanta) 3pm/4pm CBS

MWC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Fresno vs Boise (Boise - really? Find a damn sponsor and a neutral site.) 6:45/7:45 ESPN

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Clemson vs Pitt (Charlotte) 7pm/8pm ABC

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Northwestern vs Ohio State (Indianapolis) 7pm/8pm FOX

WEATHER MAKE-UP GAMES

Drake at Iowa State 11am/noon Corn TV - ISU cancelled Week 1 due to lightning. Drake (7-3) replaces South Dakota State who made the FCS playoff and could not reschedule.
East Carolina at NC State 11am/noon ACC - Two teams effected by Hurricane Florence. NCSU missed out on playing WVU. ECU cancelled with VaTech.
Akron at South Carolina 11am/noon SECN - Akron had a game with Nebraska halted because of lightning. SC’s game with Marshall stopped by Hurricane Florence.
Marshall at Virginia Tech 11am/noon - Only 3 hours apart, these two schools should play more often.
Norfolk State at Liberty 1pm/2pm UPN
Stanford at Cal 2pm/3pm PAC12 - Bad air quality from wildfires put the kibosh on this matchup last week.

THE BRONZE BOMBER

Also, on Saturday night, Tuscaloosa’s own Deontay Wilder (40-0) will box Tyson Fury (27-0) at 8pm/9pm in Los Angeles, CA, aired on Showtime.

#ALABAMA

FROSH SENIORS

We usually discuss the frosh here, but there were no redshirt removed or anything of the kind. So, let’s talk about this amazing senior class. In four seasons, they have gone 53-3 and 30-2 in the SEC. Wrap your brains around that for a moment. How many school would be turning over police cars in their downtown if they only lost three games in a single season? Three defeats in FOUR YEARS!

Two leaders of this class were snatched out of the grasp of mediocre programs to make this all possible: Damien Harris taken from Kentucky and Ross Pierschbacher from Iowa. They have been incredible ambassadors for the University.

Of course there are also seniors Christian Miller, Hale Hentges and others as well that we will get to saluting in December.

Nick Saban surpasses ol’ Bo Schembechler and has Lou Holtz only one ahead of him. It’s funny to think Mack Brown is getting back in the game. It’s not like he’ll be able to hold Nick off.
(For clarification, this list is FBS/I-A wins only. No wins while coaching at FCS/I-AA or lower level schools are included.)

This Crimson Tide team is the second team in college football history to outscore each of its first 12 opponents by 20+ points. The first was Yale back in 1888 - four years before Alabama formed a team.

The win over Auburn was Alabama’s 932nd all-time. It marks the ninth time Saban has reached 12 wins in a season as head man at the Capstone.

COMMON OPPONENTS

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

GAME 13, Saturday, December 1, 2018, 3:00pm/4:00pm

Georgia vs ALABAMA

CBS - Brad Nessler, Blithering Idiot Gary and a blonde woman.
Alabama Radio or Tune in radio app, Alabama Crimson Tide Network.
Alabama opened as a 10½ point favorite and the line quickly jumped to 13. The over/under stands at 63½.

Game 14 - Stay Tuned!

#RollTide