Tailgate Talk: Conference Championship Week

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?

USC vs. Stanford Southern California delivered a goal-line stand followed by a 99-yard drive that gave the Trojans their first conference title in nine years. Sam Darnold threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans beat the Cardinal 31-28.

Memphis @ UCF The Knights beat the Tigers 62-55 in double overtime

TCU vs.Oklahoma Baker Mayfield threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. The Sooners took care of the Horned Frogs 41-17

Georgia vs. Auburn Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and freshman D’Andre Swift combined for 210 yards rushing to help the Bulldogs beat the Tigers 28-7

Miami vs. Clemson Kelly Bryant threw for 252 yards as the Tigers kicked the shit out of the Hurricanes 38-3

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin JT Barrett had surgey on his knee, but he still threw for 211 yards and two interceptions and ran 19 times for 60 yards including a crucial fourth-down conversion that set up the last field goal of the game. He had three total touchdowns as the Buckeyes defeated the Badgers 27-21.

Around the League: In a make up game, Florida State beat Louisiana Monroe to become bowl eligible 42-10

Couching Carousel: Jimbo Fisher has left Florida State for Texas A&M

Playoff picture: The top four are Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alabama

This weeks tailgate recipe: Charleston Cheese Dip courtesy of Trisha Yearwood

1382545970224

Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise; One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese; 2 green onions, finely chopped; 1 dash cayenne pepper; 8 butter crackers, crushed, such as Ritz; Corn chips, crackers or bagel chips, for serving; 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, green onions and cayenne pepper. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish, such as a 9-inch pie pan. Top the mixture with the cracker crumbs and bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and top with the bacon. Serve immediately with corn chips, crackers or bagel chips.