Iowa is down their top two QB's, so they have no shot in this game, right?  Except Kentucky's backfield have all opted out as well, including projected 1st round pick Will Levis, and top running back Chris Rodriguez.  Iowa, in turn, is bringing most of their impact players, and an offense who showed some late season cohesion on the offensive line and Tight End group, led by Sam LaPorta.  Can Iowa get revenge in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl?

Besides the fact that I can't believe that there's actually a bowl game where the winning coach gets mayo dumped on him, this game features two teams who fell short of fairly high expectations.  Who will show up motivated?  Will Taulia Tagovialoa play like the best QB in the game, or will he be erratic?  Will NC State have MJ Morris at QB, or Ben Finley?  We talk a bit about the QB situations for both, opt-outs, and how, despite losing four top receiving weapons, how Maryland actually still may hold an edge with offensive skill players.  

Syracuse took out one Big Ten West opponent earlier this season, as they defeated Purdue in the Carrier Dome.  Can they make it two in a row, or will PJ Fleck row the boat to his third 9 win season in four years?  Catch the breakdown here!

There is no Big Ten program that has had as much positive AND negative turnover this bowl season as Wisconsin has had.  Can the momentum of Luke Fickell's hiring and Braelon Allen's affirmation outweigh Jim Leonhard's impending departure?  And what kind of state will the Cowboys be in, after going 1-4 of their last five games, and without the starting QB?  Join me as I dissect the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on the Big Ten Football Talk Podcast!

Georgia, Michigan, TCU, and Ohio State are the top four teams according the CFP committee.  We talk about why it makes sense, and why Bama didn't deserve to be in.  Plus, my initial thoughts on the semi-final match-ups.  

Power Rankings, Top 10, picks, and some smatterings of news in the Big Ten, including the Blake Corum injury, Mazi Smith's felony charge, Cade McNamara's transfer to Iowa, and the sad news of Mickey Joseph's arrest.  Plus, I briefly discuss why Ohio State really only has one shot at the playoff, not two.  

Lots of early news from the coaching carousel, including the shocking news that Luke Fickell, and not Jim Leonard, will be the next full-time head coach for the Wisconsin Badgers.  Plus, I dissect Matt Rhule's hiring at Nebraska, and some very good signs that Penn State is building a championship level team as they bring back the anchor of their offensive line.