You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. Welcome back to Gen CFB. It's playoff week, Lucy.

It is playoff week.

We're going to a couple of playoff games this weekend. Fingers crossed for you in Texas, getting your credential. I'm heading to South Bend tomorrow. We've got a lot to talk about in a very short amount of time. So I want to start with this. Notre Dame, there are rumors they may be wearing alternate uniforms for their home playoff game on Friday night. And so I've seen two fan mockups of potential uniforms that Notre Dame could wear. Oh my God. On purpose? I think this one's a joke. It's like a Christmas sweater uniform, but it's really funny. But wait, the second one's even better. This is an advent-themed Notre Dame uniform from Twitter. We'll credit whoever made that in post. But what What are your thoughts? What are your thoughts on the advent uniform for Notre Dame this Friday?

Are we sure we want to credit who makes these?

Are we sure we want to do that? I love college football, and this is just one of the reasons why fans make the darndest thing They get so excited for these games. They're like, What's the craziest uniform I can make? And they come up with that, an advent uniform.

I am a firm believer, unless you're Oregon. If you're hosting a home playoff game or you're doing a home playoff game, let's not get fancy here. All right? Let's not even bring in the question of fun new uniforms unless you're Oregon because that's your whole bit. But no, no. Just wear what you're supposed to wear.

We're the classics. You know what? You sound like a Notre Dame fan because Notre Dame fans, they love tradition. They love to stick to the classic Blues. They don't like the alternate uniforms. If Notre Dame wears an alternate uniform and they lose to Indiana on Friday night, every single fan will blame the uniforms. If that's the case, if Notre Dame does, in fact, lose to Indiana, I'm just going to throw this out there. I don't think it's the uniform's fault. I think that this game, I know it's a cliché, it's going to be one on the line of scrimage. I think Notre Dame's defense is going to have to put Curtis Rourke on his back like Ohio State did if they want to beat Indiana. That's the matchup that I'm going to be watching on Friday night. I think it probably is going to be a pretty close game.

Only game Friday night, so I will be watching that matchup as well. I look at this game specifically if Indiana can control the pace of play, which they've been able to do in every game so far, with the exception of Ohio State, then I I think it's Indiana's game to lose just because they are so efficient in what they are doing and they can move the ball so quickly that if Indiana can control the clock, if Indiana can do what they want to do, I think they're going to win this game. But I don't necessarily see that happening. I think Notre Dame is so talented that I think there's just going to be mismatches there. So I think Notre Dame wins, but I love just having... How lucky are we to have a sneaky in-state game in the first run of the playoff?

It's awesome. Who would have thought we were here? Not me. I mean, this is Indiana and Notre Dame as fan bases. Everyone from Notre Dame has Indiana family members. Everyone from Indiana knows Notre Dame family members or has Notre Dame. There's an Indiana campus in South Bend. Some of them went to both schools. These are both schools where everyone's, in my opinion, everyone's happy we get to have this matchup because only in the college football playoff would you get this. Notre Dame never plays Indiana. Hasn't played them since 1991, I think. They played a lot in the '30s, and then they stopped. So this is a big matchup for a lot of families, a lot of house divided right now, Lucy, with Notre Dame playing Indiana. But Notre Dame's defense is ranked sixth in S&P Plus. Al Golden loves to blitz, and Notre Dame has corners and safities that are great in coverage. So that is the defensive game plan, and that's what they're going to try to do to slow down Curtis Rourke, to stop the offense from moving. I think defensively, both teams are really good. I think Notre Dame's offense is going to have to be productive.

They have some of the best rushing attack in all of college football elite with Jeremiah Love, who is ready to play. He got banged up the last weekend of the season against USA. Bradley Leonard has scored a couple dozen on his feet this year, also thrown a couple dozen. He's a dual threat, Lucy. He's a big boy. He likes to run. He likes to throw. And this is going to be a good game on Friday night. Notre Dame's favorite, seven and a half. I think, like I said, close game. Notre Dame, I also saw they're going to have yellow rally towels. Now, I don't know who told them to do that because Kurt Signetti, he's from Pittsburgh. He's going to think those are terrible towels, and they're for him. I don't like that. Don't make them yellow. Notre Dame, it's not too late. Go get green towels.

I know we should move on to other games, but emotionally, just how are you feeling right now? I'm excited. This is the first 12-team playoff that your team has been in. Obviously, they've been in a playoff before. Yeah, right. This is a different animal.

Yeah, I've been to Notre Dame playoff games before. I've been to big games at Notre Dame Stadium before. Night games are always fun I'm super excited. Look, I think it's totally realistic that Notre Dame loses this game, and I have bad dark thoughts. But then Christmas is four days later. So either way, I'm happy to be included. I've been watching Mike Ryan cry about Miami not making the playoff for the last three weeks, and I'm like, Holy shit. That could have been me. That could have been me if Notre Dame didn't go on this 10-game win streak to finish the season. I would have had so much FOMO if everyone else made the playoff and Notre Dame was left outside looking in because of that stupid game against Northern Illinois earlier this season. But either Other way, I'm happy to be included. I think Indiana is really good. I respect Indiana. A lot of people don't respect Indiana football. I think Kurt Signetti has done a great job there this year. Their defense has been playing so well. Their offense has been so efficient. Just like you said, those two games against Michigan and Ohio State were really tough for them, and Ohio State totally kicked their asses.

They're going to want revenge to be able to prove that they can compete against these higher weight class college football teams that have been doing it for a long time, like the Notre Dames of world, and then Georgia, if they win. This is a huge chance for Kurt Signetti in Indiana to change the narrative and prove that they actually belong in this playoff. And Marcus Freeman just signed a massive extension. He's sticking around Notre Dame for six more years. So huge game for him to win the first for a college football playoff home game. It's just going to be really cool. It feels like a part of college football history, and I can't wait to go. I'm going to freeze my little ass off, and I can't wait.

Transition time. Look at how flawless I'm about to do this. Smu, also a team that It has the, Hey, we need to prove that we should be here, mindset. They're at Penn State. Penn State is, as of filming, an eight and a half point favorite. Penn State, everyone, the conversation has been, they got the best draw in the off with hosting SMU, noon games, so they're obviously not going to be happy about that. And then potentially, if they win, moving on to face Boise State. I do think Penn State is going to win. I think that they're a lot more talented than the other teams that SMU has faced. I think they're better than Clemson. I think they're better than BIO. I think they're better than most of the ACC. And I also think that weather plays such a factor. And this is Happy Valley in December Pass. No, thank you.

Three of these four playoff games are going to be frigid.

Yeah. Look, that is such a great crowd. That is not an atmosphere that SMU is really going to be prepped for. I think that Penn State has just... Their defense is too good. I think their defense is so good this season and that they're going to be too much for SMU to handle. I don't know if I think Penn State covers or not, especially because this is like... It's a prove yourself game on both sides where James Franklin, Can you win the big game? Smu, Did you really deserve to be in the playoff. I think Penn State wins this one, though.

I also think Penn State will win. I think that it's win-win for people that think James Franklin can't beat the top teams in college football, because if they do win, it'll be easy to dismiss it as like, Well, SMU SMU wasn't a top five team. They haven't beaten a top 25 team this whole season. Did they even deserve to be in the play? They got lucky. Alabama should have been in this game. But I do think Penn State has an underratedly really tough defense, and I don't think the offense will need to be explosive to beat SMU. On the other side of that, Kevin Jennings for SMU has been really good. He has a couple of pics on him, but he loves to throw it downfield. And I think if you can get a couple of those passes completed, you can disrupt the game plan a little bit. So that's going to be an interesting thing to look at. I do think Penn State will win, and I think they will move on and play Boise State.

Yeah, I was really, really impressed with what I saw from Penn State at the Big Ten Championship game. I didn't know their offense had that in them. I didn't know they had that fight in them because even though every time Penn State got closed, Oregon was able to pull away again, it was just they were moving the ball. Drew Aller looked really, really good. But even didn't look as great. Oregon can do that to everybody. So I just think that Penn State is trending in the right direction right now. But I just say all this stuff. I'm like, James Franklin, you're going to make me look stupid.

Yeah, don't blow it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Yeah, I'm with you. Also, Penn State's backup quarterback, who did play a lot this year.

Yeah, they worked in the offense quite a bit.

So that's weird.

Yeah. Just to tough situation. He even came out and said, I didn't want to do this. But I know that Drew Alters coming back next year at a starting job.

And the longer you wait to go in the portal, the worst options get. Correct.

Man, you would have had to go to Iowa. She would have to be the high I'm a quarterback.

Question for you. We both think Texas will be Clemson.

Yeah. I don't feel incredibly confident in any of these games, and all of it isn't for real analytical reasons. Just like, Texas's vibes would be loose.

Texas' offense has been so injured this whole season. Their defense is great. I think that's where it's coming from for me. It's like Clemson is going to have to try really hard to score points in this game. But I think to your point about I think these four games in particular, we've seen all eight of these teams' flaws all season long. None of these teams went undefeated. All of these teams have tough losses. All of these teams have faltered in some way and have a weakness. I think this is where coaching is going to come in and which coaches are going to be able to game plan around it and which coaches are going to be able to exploit it on the other side. I just think Sark is good. I think Sark is a really good coach. Dabo obviously is as well, but I think their offense is going to struggle against Texas's defense. Texas's offense is also going to struggle against Clemson's defense, but I think to a lesser extent.

Clemson has scored 17 points in the two games they faced SEC defenses this year. In their game against Georgia to start the season and then South Carolina in the season. Texas's defense is, I think, up there with those two schools. Texas has such a phenomenal defense. I don't think Clemson is going to be able to move the ball. I'm like, Okay, yes, Quinn yours is hurt. Let's hope your backup is talented and qualified. Oh, wait, it's Arch Manning, who your fans have wanted to- Why do we freaking out?

How many snaps do we think he's going to get?

I don't know. I know one Texas fan, but the one Texas fan I know has furiously texted the group chat. I never want to see Queens' First play again.

That's sad. I get it. We've seen the last couple of games, Texas' offense limped into this matchup. That is I think. But yeah, on defense, one of the best past defenses in college football, best cornerback in college football, the Thorpe Award winner. Although, award season was very contentious this year, and we don't have time to talk about it. But I don't think there was a single award that everyone was... Except the Doke Walker Award. The Herbes? Everyone was mad about... You were happy with the Herbes? Everyone was mad about Tyler Warren winning the... Fuck, the Macky Award. Yeah, anyways, whatever. I digress. This is a long digression. But yeah, I think that But I think Texas will win. They'll play Arizona State. I think Texas will probably also win that game, but Skatebo. Maybe we'll have a career day that day.

We'll see. I won't even think about Arizona State right now.

I don't even... That's next month's problem.

That energy, I can't have that in my life right now. It's a little too much chaos for me right at the moment.

Fair enough. But yeah, Clemson, I think limbs into the payoff, but will ultimately lose. That game has the biggest spread. Another seven and a half point spread. Tennessee Ohio State, the second night game, the Saturday night game. Humongous, ginormous game. The winner plays Oregon. This one I feel like I keep going back and forth on because, again, both really elite defenses, but I think I don't think it really like Ohio State winning at home. I don't think Tennessee is going to have a great day offensively.

I think it really comes down to me like, Will Howard, what are you going to do? Do something. What's the plan here? Because if Will Howard plays all Well, right. I think Ohio State will win this game. I also think the circumstances of this game are really weird, where I don't necessarily know if there's a team that's hosting a game that fans hate them more right now than Ohio State.

It's a hostile environment. It's a hostile home environment. It's hostile in general for everyone.

It's a really interesting situation. I think people really underestimate, when we talk about a lot how good Tennessee's defense is, and Ohio State's offensive line has had issues the whole season. And I think Michigan put together the perfect plan to beat Ohio Wait, and now you can sit here and look at that, if you're Tennessee and be like, We can just do that. You have Dylan Samson, one of the best runningbacks in college football. Yeah, he's great. I think that Tennessee is a match-up nightmare for Ohio State. And I think the circumstances of losing to Michigan the way you did, how you did, when Tennessee is a much better version of that Michigan team, way more fun and adds more of a quarterback- But it's not Michigan.

Their name's not Michigan.

But it's not Michigan. So maybe Hold up.

I have an idea.

I have a plan. I take back what I said about alternate jerseys. Tennessee, you're going maize and blue.

Oh, that's a great idea. We're wearing those jerseys. That is a great idea.

Solved it. You're welcome.

If that happens, I'm changing my pick to Tennessee. Tennessee He's defense, according to Bill Connolly, fourth nationally in Havoc rate, which includes tackles for loss, pass breakups, interceptions, force fumbles, et cetera. Havoc rate's bold. Having a offensive line that is not its strongest with a lot of injuries, like you said, that could be scary for Ohio State. But I don't know. Someone has to win the game, so I guess I'm picking Ohio State. I don't feel great about it. I don't feel great about any of these, except, I guess, Texas.

Not that great. I don't know. I don't know. Slightly better. I think I'm paying Tennessee. I think, screw it, we're going Tennessee. Also, Tennessee did not play in the SEC Championship Game, which I think works in their favor. Obviously, Ohio State didn't play in the big Tennessee Championship Game.

They were doing other things. Yeah, they were really upset. So if Tennessee does win in this hypotheticalal situation, what time is Ryan Day fired the next day? Before 9:00 AM, noon, which we said like an over-under. Like, he's gone, right? Everyone's going to be so mad.

If I'm Ohio State, I wait. I do it the good old fashioned way, and I wait till kick off at the Rose Bowl. So everyone's thinking of other things. Everyone, look over there. You're fired. It's a tweet that's third in the thread. No. And it's like, Oh, what a great season. We're looking Back. Third tweet, by the way, Ryan Day is done. Yeah.

I mean, the vibes are really rancid there, but I also think they could easily win. And then if they win that game, I think they could beat Oregon. Absolutely. It was a one-point game last time. I think their run game against Oregon puts them in a good spot, so I think you could say the same for Tennessee and Samson there, too. But anyways, I think it's going to be a fun weekend. It's the first time we've ever had a 12-team college football play. It's crazy. It's going to be super fun. And if it's not fun, my take on that is like, Well, the semifinals are never fun. So, hey, you got more not fun games. At least they're college football games, right? But I think they will be fun.

I think we're going to get some really competitive football games. We have four options.

Right. At least one is going to be good. And if they're not, they're on I love to go to college sites, so there's cool... At least it's not a neutral site or an NFL stadium because that stinks.

It's good for the economy.

You're welcome. I mean, hey, La Quinta is getting all my money. Congrats to the La Quinta in South Bend. I'll be staying at you weekend. Before we go, because this is our last show before Christmas and probably also until New Year's because our show's going dark for two weeks. Not Gen Zeefee, all of Love It's Our Show. Surprise. What's your favorite bowl game matchup that you're looking forward to.

Outside of our little playoff spectacle, I am very intrigued by the energy happening at the Birmingham Bowl, which is Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt.

Yes, same.

Oh, money.

It's going to be like a two and a half point favorite, I want to say.

It's a very just funky vibe. Something's going to go off. Something weird is going to happen. They are probably going to be like, Let's just evacuate the city right now. No fans in the crowd. Let's just let whatever happens happen. So weird energy.

I'm looking forward to that. Yeah, I think obviously with the opt-outs, the games are harder to predict. They can't really be an indictment on your team season because half your players are probably gone or whatever. But So narratively, they maybe mean slightly less. But there's opportunities for so many weird and fun and stupid things to happen, and that's what I'm excited for. We got the Alamo Bulls, a B-Y-U Colorado game. Sure, why not?

Sure, they're in the same conference. I'm not worried about it.

Might as well do a secondary. It's like the Big 12 Championship for third place. We have that. We've got Iowa and Missouri, your alma mater. You're wearing an Iowa shirt, Lucy.

I'm wearing an Iowa women's basketball shirt.

South Carolina and Illinois. I don't know. I'm just excited for all of these bowl games. I'm just going to be in my Jam-Jams watching bowl games on my ass, laying down on the floor for three weeks, and I can't wait.

Look, if you're... Bowl games, bowls are supposed to be weird. Just let it happen.

Lean in.

Let the pop-tour Bowl exists. Enjoy the mayo dump. Enjoy the French fries dump. I'm sure there's going to be more dumps that happen. What if the TurboTax bowl is tax farms? Even though I don't even know if the TurboTax bowl exists anymore. There's definitely a tax bowl that exists.

There's some tax bowl, you're right.

It's accountants giving you the trophy.

They drop an abacus on you. Perfect. I love it. Yes. Everyone lean in to the silly and the fun. We've got like 50 college football games left, and I can't wait, Lucy. Thanks for listening to Gen CFB this season, this year, 2024. What a year. I don't know what our next episode will be, but happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year to everyone. Enjoy the football.