Hi everyone. Welcome back to another edition of Tailgate Talk. Each week I recap some of the major games from the week before and preview the games next week. Feel free to talk about the games, off season antics, seasons past, health concerns, ethics, the bands, the mascots, or what have you. However, if you’re here to complain about “sportsball,” this is simply not the forum for you, okay?

You can tell I was out of town this weekend…

Wisconsin @ Illinois Wisconsin’s Alex Hornibrook threw for 135 yards and Jonathan Taylor ran for 73. The Badgers remain undefeated 24-10

Miami @ North Carolina Miami’s Malik Rosier threw for 356 and three touchdowns. The Hurricanes edged out the Tar Heels 24-19

Penn State @ Ohio State Saquon Barkley started off the game with a 97-yard return for a touchdown, and Penn State led for most of the game, leading by 18 at one point. J.T. Barrett ran for 95 yards, threw for 328, and had four touchdowns. He led a fourth quarter comeback and the defense prevented Penn State from responding. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions 39-38

Georgia vs. Florida Georgia’s Sony Michel ran for137 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs humiliated the Gators 42-7.

TCU @ Iowa State Iowa State’s Kyle Kempt threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Cyclones continue having a great season by upsetting the Horned Frogs 14-7.

NC State @ Notre Dame Notre Dame kept up their dominant running game Josh Adams rushed for 202 yards and Deon McIntosh had 63. The Fighting Irish beat the Wolfpack 35-14.

Michigan State @ Northwestern Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns. It took Northwestern three overtime periods to beat them. The Wildcats beat the Spartans 39-31.

Georgia Tech @ Clemson A recovered Kelly Bryant threw for 207 yards, two touchdowns and had 67 rushing yards. The Tigers beat the Yellowjackets 24-10.

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma Texas Tech’s Nic Shimonek threw for 322 yards and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield threw for 281. Both quarterbacks had fiur touchdowns and an interception. However, Oklahoma had three rushing touchdowns, led by Rodney Anderson, who had 181 yards. The Sooners beat the Red Raiders 49-27.

USC @ Arizona State Sam Darnold returned to form, throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns as the Trojans defeated the Sun Devils, 48-17.

Around the League: Alabama was idle; Boston College kicked the shit out of Florida State 35-3; Oklahoma State beat West Virginia50-39; Washington beat UCLA 44-23; Duke fell to Virginia Tech 24-3;Washington State lost to Arizona 58-37; Houston beat South Florida 28- 24; Austin Peay fell prey to UCF 73- 33; Rutgers fell to Michigan 35- 14; Arkansas edged out Ole Miss 38- 37; Texas beat Baylor 38-7; and Louisville lost to Wake Forest 42-32.

Play of the week: I hate to say it, but…

At the polls: Penn State and TCU stayed in the AP top ten. Ohio State jumped to 3, and Notre Dame to 5. The playoff committee releases their first poll tomorrow.

Coaching Carousel: Florida and Jim McElwain have parted ways. Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon will be asked to serve as interim head coach. After failing to find any evidence to substantiate claims made by McElwain last week that his family and players received death threats, Florida administrators were working to see whether, if the allegations were false, that would be enough to relieve the university from paying his full buyout of $12.76 million if he were fired.

This weeks tailgate recipe: from the Old El Paso website: Spinach Artichoke Mini Dip Boats

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter; 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped; 1 package Old El Paso™ Taco Boats™ mini soft flour tortillas (12 count); 1 box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz); 1 jar (6 oz) Progresso™ marinated artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz); 1/4 cup diced tomato

Instructions:
Step 1: Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In small microwavable bowl, mix butter and garlic. Microwave uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds or until butter is melted; stir. Lightly brush melted garlic butter on all sides of boats; place in baking dish. Sprinkle any remaining chopped garlic inside boats. Bake 10 minutes.
Step 2: Cook spinach as directed on box. Drain and squeeze to dry. Measure 1/3 cup of the spinach into large bowl. Reserve remaining spinach for another use. Add mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese to bowl with spinach. Stir in artichokes and pepper flakes.
Step 3: Spoon mixture into boats. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until spinach mixture is hot and cheese is melted. Top with tomato.