Welcome to Glass Slipper! Terry McLaurin makes me smile; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from Week 14 of the college football season.

1. Run along.

I’m seeing a lot of media members argue that Lane Kiffin should’ve been allowed to finish the season with Ole Miss. Quite frankly, it’s among the dumbest arguments I’ve ever heard. You want a half-invested coach leading the best team in school history? That’s fair to the players? Lane would be wearing Ole Miss colors in his office, thinking about how to convince Trinidad Chambliss to follow him to Baton Rouge. You’re okay with that? Give me a break.

The Rebels have handled this debacle pretty perfectly, in my opinion. Oh, you’re sending your family on private planes to visit other campuses? Well, here’s a public ultimatum. Decide to bail on us, and it’s your responsibility to look 105 kids in the eye - the No. 7 team in America - and explain to them that they’re not good enough for you.

Candidly, I can understand Kiffin’s decision to leave. LSU is an objectively superior job. But demanding to keep your autonomy at the place you just backstabbed, then flinging down the victim card in a half-baked Twitter statement? That’s flat-out pathetic behavior, from a man with a matching track record. Lane is 50 years old, and we keep waiting for him to start behaving like an adult.

2. Pretty as a peach.

I love what I’m seeing from Georgia. True contenders can win in a multitude of ways. The Dawgs went to Knoxville, and topped Tennessee in an 85-point shootout. They use a furious fourth-quarter rally to steal one from Ole Miss. Kirby Smart’s crew defeated its in-state rival three days ago, despite getting exactly 70 passing yards from Gunner Stockton.

This squad feels comfortable in any kind of battle; I personally still consider Georgia the title favorite.

3. Common sense.

I’ve said it before, and I feel even more strongly about it now. Arch Manning needs to return to Texas for a fourth collegiate campaign. He’s gotten better each month, and would undoubtedly enter 2026 as the Heisman favorite again. 11 Longhorns are over 45 receiving yards. Of that group, literally only DeAndre Moore and Jack Endries are eligible to declare. Get the band back together for another run.

Plenty of mock drafts are including Arch inside the top 10. He should ignore those, and listen to his grandfather instead.

4. Dark horse.

Last week, I told you my belief that Washington will be a CFP team next season. Could Arizona join, as well? Brent Brennan is building something pretty cool in the desert.

The Wildcats are 9-3. One of those losses was a double-OT thriller. They also fell to Houston on a field goal as time expired. These kids could easily be preparing for a matchup with Texas Tech this week.

Noah Fifita has two fantastic years on the résumé. Bring in a tall WR1 and some athletes on defense, and Arizona could absolutely earn a berth.

5. A sigh of relief.

At long last. Order has been restored, Buckeye Nation.

Brandon Inniss finally gained my full affection on Saturday. Will Kacmarek - a fairly nondescript portal addition in 2023 - has morphed into a hero. Tyler Bowen’s offensive line saved its A+ stuff for the big one. I’m so proud.

There’s a ton of work to be done. The state of Ohio needs to soak in this feeling, though. The Bucks are undefeated, and Michigan supporters are eating crow. Life is good.

6. Arms linked.

Alright, ‘Canes fans. Flip your pajamas inside out. Flush some ice cubes down the toilet. Engage in all of the snow-day rituals. You squandered your chance at an ACC championship, and now it’s time to hope.

7. Save the date.

Remember when JJ Watt was putting together that legendary 2014 campaign, and the Texans started using him as a tight end? Joey McGuire is following the same blueprint with Jacob Rodriguez, and I love it. That’s back-to-back contests with a rushing touchdown for Lubbock’s knight in shining armor. Only offensive players are allowed to win the Heisman? Fine. Our dude does it on that side of the ball, too.

Watt lost his MVP race to Aaron Rodgers. Rodriguez is also going to come up short. But if my guy doesn’t at least receive an invitation to the ceremony, I’ll be disgusted. Manti Te’o got 321(!!) first-place votes back in the day, and Jacob has been better. Do the right thing, voters.

8. Bouncer.

People are discrediting Ohio State’s Week 1 win over Texas, because the Longhorns didn’t wind up having a dominant regular season. Understandable. If that’s the precedent we’re setting, then I don’t want to see Vanderbilt anywhere near the bracket.

The Commodores boast four ranked wins. Those squads now have a combined 21 losses. When viewing things from that lens, Vandy is clearly undeserving of a shot. A 10-2 non-champion with zero signature victories? Better luck next year.

9. My updated Heisman ladder.

1) Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech LB

2) Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB

3) Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB

4) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

5) Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

6) Drew Mestemaker, North Texas QB

7) Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

8) Cashius Howell, Texas A&M EDGE

9) Caleb Hawkins, North Texas RB

10) Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt QB

10. Time to peek ahead.

The drama begins on Friday. James Madison needs to beat Troy, then immediately put a Darian Mensah poster on the wall. North Texas and Tulane clash in the AAC championship game; the winner there is likely headed to the dance.

Saturday will be a dream. The highly-anticipated rematch between BYU and Texas Tech is at noon. Georgia and Alabama right after. It’s No. 2 Indiana and No. 1 Ohio State in primetime, with Virginia-Duke happening simultaneously.

Don’t ever let someone tell you that conference titles don’t matter anymore. Here we go.

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