-The Times Picayune (the big New Orleans paper) reports that Jimbo Fisher is LSU's top choice and that Les Miles is absolutely done. For our take on this, listen to The Nolecast (below).
Jimbo Fisher checks all the boxes for the LSU job. He spent six years combined in Baton Rouge under Nick Saban and Les Miles. He's worked at a strong power conference school where there was pressure to win. He won a national championship and also made last year's playoff bracket. He's an offensive minded coach, who often clashed with Les Miles' offensive conservatism in their two years together. He's a good character person. And he won't divide the fan base. He will be expensive and that might ultimate stop the move. He has a $5 million buyout. There is also the lingering question of why would he want to come to the SEC West when it's much easier to win an ACC conference title. Coaches love challenges and Fisher has always had his eye on LSU. He's been in Tallahassee nine years and as we know, 10 is about the limit. He won't have the opportunity next year if he passes.
-FSU practice report from Tuesday with lots of injury notes.
-Why did Dalvin Cook get snubbed during awards season? We have our theories.
-The No. 1 seed is a bigger deal for Clemson than just playing close to home.
Clemson could well be close to a Vegas tossup against Oklahoma, which has multiple excellent performances on the season, but would likely be favorites of at least a touchdown against Iowa, Michigan State and an injury-riddled Notre Dame if recent line trends hold. Advanced stats agree; Oklahoma's No. 4 in S&P+, ahead of the Irish and well ahead of the top two Big Ten contenders.
-Stewart Mandel says the committee cares more about wins than losses. That could be a good or bad thing, but it's definitely different than what the BCS meant.
By bumping 10-1 Oklahoma from No. 7 to No. 3 while also dropping 10-1 Notre Dame from No. 4 to No. 6, the committee delivered its strongest message yet that a loss, no matter how bad it looks, does not a define a team's season.
-Interesting note from the Sports Business Journal on the Big Ten getting paid.
I expect ESPN and Fox Sports to at least double the conference's annual average payout and share the rights.
-Where will the top ten uncommitted recruits land? FSU not projected to land any, but will still have a good class.
-FSU is in line to get a visit from QB Feleipe Franks, who decommitted from LSU. But UF seems like the most likely destination as the Gators do not have a QB commitment.