Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most beautifully constructed video games you’ll ever see. It follows an outlaw, in this case a man named Arthur Morgan, as he grapples with the fading American West of 1899 and whether people like him still have a place in the rapidly industrialized settings that have replaced it. It’s a beautifully laid-out set piece that is equally as engaging to closely follow the main storyline, or simply jump on a horse and ride through the digitally-constructed landscapes and fish.

As tends to be the case in these games, a chance encounter forces Arthur to reconcile the morality of his past decisions and the player, controlling him, gets to decide whether to play the remaining missions with high honor or like a 12-year-old diving into Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the first time. The game lets you do whatever you want, but there are consequences to either path.

One of the game's final chapters asks the player to find a widow from his past and decide whether to ask for forgiveness, in words and deeds, or to ride off with a small fortune to himself. Shortly after, on his potential final ride into the sunset, if the player chose the honorable path he hears these words from the widow in one of the most emotional cutscenes pixels can render:

“And all you can do now is decide the man you wanna be, for the time you have left.”

Anyways, Lane Kiffin is – as of publishing – still coaching the Egg Bowl on Friday and will announce his intentions the next day. It might make sense for him to leave, but he won't be forgiven for his decision either way. As Ulysses Everett McGill once said: “Even if that did put you square with the Lord, the State of Mississippi’s a little more hard-nosed.”

Weird schedule week with the holidays, which is why you’re getting this on a Wednesday! Once the pies are cooled and consumed, a long essay on Vanderbilt football is coming this Friday – so keep an eye on your inbox.

You should be listening to the Futurebirds, the favorite band of this publication and current holders of the Athens, GA Best Band Alive belt. Here’s a playlist to get you started:

EAT:

I typically make somewhere between three and eight pies for Thanksgiving, with a couple standard bearers and new recipes mixed in. This year we’re bringing back a favorite, the Cranberry Lemon Meringue Pie from the New York Times. Loaded with punchy tartness from the fruit, it’s great on its own or as a complement to the sweeter traditional Thanksgiving pies. Making meringue isn’t nearly as scary as it looks, so don't be afraid to try this one and wow your in-laws.

The Egg Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss at Mississippi State (Noon, ABC)

Biggest game of the week for off-field reasons. Lane Kiffin will allegedly announce his decision to stay at Ole Miss or leave for another job the following day, adding a level of spice to what is already one of the most spiteful games on the calendar.

On the other sideline is Jeff Lebby, who was the Ole Miss coach-in-waiting the last time the Bulldogs won this matchup in 2022 – you know, when the Rebels were distracted by a media circus around Lane Kiffin potentially taking the Auburn job. History, as always, doesn not repeat itself but often rhymes.

Nothing could top the unbridled mayhem of the 2019 Egg Bowl, but the table is set for this one to deliver something memorable.

Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate: No. 4 Georgia at No. 16 Georgia Tech (3:30 pm, ABC) 

Some of the juice is gone from this game following Tech’s upset loss to Pitt last week, but I can assure you that only makes Georgia fans more nervous about the outcome. Brent Key would love nothing more than to beat the Dawgs, and Haynes King will leave even more of himself on the field than usual to try to grab a win in this matchup.

Lone Star Showdown: No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 17 Texas (7:30 pm, ABC)

Texas isn’t going to do this, right? Sure, Arch and the offense have looked miles better in recent weeks, but they’re not going to do the thing now? Right?

Governor's Cup Kentucky at Louisville (Noon, ACC Network)

Mark Stoops absolutely despises Louisville, and the Wildcats can qualify for a bowl with a win. Expect to see whatever tricks Kentucky has been saving all season early and often.

Palmetto Bowl South Carolina vs Clemson (Noon, SEC Network)

Just want to make the audience aware that there is a section of this rivalry’s Wikipedia page entitled Agitation from the farmers. College football is a perfect sport.

No. 8 Oklahoma vs LSU (3:30 pm, ABC)

I am certain of one thing: there will be a total of 24 points scored in this game. That might mean a 24-0 win for Oklahoma or somehow a 12-12 tie, but it’s happening.

No. 14 Vanderbilt at No. 18 Tennessee (3:30 pm, ESPN)

Two really good teams that find themselves on the wrong side of the playoff bubble for one simple reason: they’ve lost close games to the best teams they’ve played, and demolished everyone else. SP+ and CFB Graphs both have Tennessee favored by less than a point, making this the highlight of a loaded afternoon schedule

Battle Line Rivalry: Missouri at Arkansas (3:30 pm, SEC Network)

Two teams who wanted better from the year. Most notable rooting interest is for Arkansas to lose by less than three points, maintaining a positive point differential with a 2-10 record.

Florida vs Florida State (4:30 pm, ESPN2)

Yuck!

Iron Bowl: No. 10 Alabama at Auburn (7:30 pm, ABC)

We probably make too big of a deal about Jordan-Hare Iron Bowls getting weird, but this feels like a great chance for the newly free-wheeling Tigers offense to make things interesting.

We’ve seen teams add roses to their uniforms for, well, the Rose Bowl before and it always looks cool. Minnesota decided to do something similar, putting Ivy around their block M logo for a Wrigley Field game against Northwestern. Sometimes, it’s the subtle touches that pop the most.

No. 12 Utah at Kansas (Noon, ESPN)

The Utes find themselves outside the playoff field, and the teams on their heels have better opportunities to add to their resumes and jump ahead in the final committee rankings. Best hope for Utah is to win this game big, and hope for chaos elsewhere to get into the Big 12 title game.

The Game: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 18 Michigan (Noon, FOX)

God, it would be so so funny if Michigan won this game. They’re not going to, but it would be incredible.

No. 13 Miami at Pitt (Noon, ABC)

Perhaps the single most consequential game remaining in the ACC race, a Miami win would unleash absolute chaos – there’s still a small chance that six teams all finish with 6-2 conference records. This publication is firmy pro-chaos, so go Canes.

UCF at No. 11 BYU (1 pm, ESPN2)

BYU is win and in to the Big 12 title game, where it likely needs to win or at least come extremely close in a rematch with Texas Tech to nab a playoff bid. 

Praise be, we enjoyed these things, some of which require a subscription.

Jorda-Hare Stadium is haunted, and Matt Stahl at AL.com went to find out just how haunted. Justin Heckert from The Food Section on why the key to recruiting is being able to woo the moms. Jamaica won a bobsled medal, and Friend of the Program Ken Childs at Sliding On Ice has everything you need to know to make your Cool Runnings jokes. Joon Lee says that driving a NASCAR is the scariest thing he’s ever done, watch the video to see just how true that is.

Safe travels to everyone, and see you after the Holiday.