Goodbye, Les? There were multiple reports on Friday that Les Miles indicated today's Texas A&M game (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network) would be his last with the Tigers. Miles and LSU later denied he'd meant goodbye ("no suggestion that this was going to be my last game in Tiger Stadium," he told SEC Network), but other reports of his imminent exit continued.
Les Miles will coach LSU against Texas A&M today. Any longer than that, though?
Good morning. This is the Read Option, your morning college football roundup.
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Getting biblical. One year after 61-58, TCU exacted revenge on Baylor, knocking the Bears out of Playoff contention with a 28-21 double overtime win that ended with Baylor getting stuffed on fourth down twice. The game was delayed 45 minutes because of weather and was played in horrendous rain. After playing in the bone-chilling cold for four hours, Trevone Boykin gutted the Frogs to a win, bad ankle and all.
The punters were the only players to have memorable games, and even that came with getting crushed by Shawn Oakman while still getting the punt off. Special recognition goes to the TCU dance team, which was out there the whole night in shorts and no hats.
Finally perfect. For the first time in program history, Iowa finished the regular season undefeated. The Hawkeyes held off a spirited effort from Nebraska, winning 28-20, and will enter the Big Ten title game at 12-0 and with their Playoff fate in their hands.
The Iowa fans at Black Heart Gold Pants are emotional and excited, to say the least. Nebraska fans are left to ruminate on a season of missed chances, including this botched fourth down play late. And despite finishing 5-7, they could still be in play for a bowl game.
And in other coaching news:
- Hawaii has a new head coach, tapping Nevada offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich.
- Toledo head coach Matt Campbell will be interviewing for the Missouri job, according to Football Scoop.
- As always, keep our coaching rumor tracker handy since it's updated anytime there's news on any of the many open jobs across the country.
The rest of Friday’s action:
- Houston torched Navy 52-31, and did so through a multitude of amazing individual efforts like this leaping one-handed catch for a touchdown by Demarcus Ayers, who also caught a pass later that bounced straight up off his own shoulder pads. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. wasn’t to be left out, scoring a touchdown after spinning his way out of what seemed like a sure sack. The Cougars will face either Temple or USF in the American title game.
- Turns out Washington State needed Luke Falk, as Washington beat the brakes off the Cougs 45-10 to win the Apple Cup.
- Arkansas took care of Missouri 28-3 to win a drama-free game, for once. Gary Pinkel’s last game in charge of the Tigers was frustrating, just like this season.
- Western Michigan upset No. 24 Toledo 35-30, knocking the Rockets out of the MAC title game and handing the West to Northern Illinois.
- Miami went up big early and held on for a 29-24 win over Pitt.
- Tulsa became bowl eligible thanks to an 89-yard interception return by defensive end Kolton Shindelar with a minute remaining.
- Georgia State -- GEORGIA STATE -- is one win from bowl eligibility.
Not so lucky. Between Navy and Pitt losing and Iowa winning on Friday, Notre Dame’s Playoff resume took a hit without the Irish even playing a down. They still have time to make a statement against Stanford.
It’s official. Dab originators Migos have dabbed in support of Michigan ahead of the Ohio State game. There is no stopping the Wolverines now.
Excuse you. Things got pretty f***ing chippy in the Marshall-Western Kentucky game.
Seems reasonable. By decree of Governor John Kasich, khaki pants and the letter M are hereby banned in the state of Ohio.
HOOK EM! Some enterprising Texas fans tried to purloin 100 bears from another group’s tailgate party, and naturally, this resulted in a fistfight in the back of a moving pickup truck. Do not mess with Texas.
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