JFG Nation, I’ll be the first to admit – I know nothing about College Football. I watch it, but for me it’s low on my totem pole – the result of having no school nearby to root for growing up and no Bowl eligible team from my own college. I understand how much college football means to so many people across this great nation, and feel completely left out.

(Of course, I apparently don’t know much about Pro Football either, going 1-3 against the spread this weekend. Thanks a lot, Rodgers.)

Tonight is the College Football Playoff Championship Game, and it’s a rematch between Clemson and Alabama. Last time they met, Alabama beat Clemson 45-40. Here’s the only facts I know about 2016-2017 college football generally prior to tonight’s game:

1. Alabama is undefeated.
2. I watched Ohio State force a win vs. Michigan over Thanksgiving – Harbaugh face, all game long. Then, on the plane home from California, I watched Clemson roll up 35 straight unanswered points on the University of South Carolina in the first half alone. 3 TDs went to the behemoth of a WR on Clemson, Mike Williams.
3. Then I saw Clemson hang 31 on Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. WTF, Ohio State? Could you miss more Field Goals??
4. Alabama got the best of a good Washington team, but they looked rusty. I felt like they let them hang around way too long. 10-7 and 17-7 felt like an eternity. PUT THE GAME AWAY AND SWEEP THE LEG, BAMA – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

What does any of this mean? I have no idea – like I said, I don’t know anything about college football. Despite how explosive Clemson has been, it’s still Alabama and still friggin’ Nick Saban. The line on the game is Bama by -6.5, but the bettors (58% of them) apparently like Clemson to cover. 53% like Clemson to win. And 53% like the game to go UNDER the total of 51 pts. Defensive matchup predicted, I guess.

Me? This’ll be a total crapshoot: I’ll say Clemson to cover, Bama to win, and OVER on the total. But what do I know?

Let me know what you think about tonight’s matchup in the comments below. If you need me, I’ll be watching the coaches’ feed – the best invention ESPN has ever come up with.

Meanwhile, check out EPISODE 96 OF THE NOSH SHOW!!

For you new arrivals, The Nosh Show is a podcast started by Marvo from The Impulsive Buy, featuring Ryan from GrubGrade, Dubba from On Second Scoop, and, of course, me, your friendly neighborhood JFG. And today marks the release of The Nosh Show, Episode 96: Curmudgeonville.

This week: “New unreleased Ben & Jerry’s flavors, spicy Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups, Keebler Cereal, Taco Bell Caesar Crunchwraps, an absent Ryan, and much more.” You can listen embedded here:

You can subscribe to The Nosh Show using various services: iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, RSS.

Today’s junk food: Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos!

Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos?? According to my friend Marvo, these existed in 2006 and then 2012, and there’s a Facebook Group dedicated to the return of these chips that has existed since 2013… but I only have a vague memory of them. The bag looks familiar.

Man – I feel like it’s been a while since they’ve trotted out a new Doritos flavor / brought a flavor back. They’ve added more Dinamitas flavors, rolled out Doritos Mix, tried to expand the JACKED line, but a new or refreshed flavor for the regular chip line? I feel like I hasn’t seen a new flavor since Doritos Roulette – which came out in May of 2015, over 1.5 years ago. TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH, DORITOS.

The last time Doritos had a buffalo flavor, it was one in the JACKED line of goods – and they were not…great. I’m a buffalo flavor fan; being from Upstate NY, I’m a purist. I typically don’t dip my wings in ANYTHING, preferring to get that Frank’s Red Hot flavor directly into my veins. “Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos” indicates that, like the JACKED version, there’s gonna be a lot of creaminess involved. Hm.

I opened the bag of Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos and inhaled – my nostrils didn’t sting like when I inhale Frank’s, but there was a tanginess I smelled. I smelled plenty of herb/spices too – these smelled like Cool Ranch Doritos, sort of, with something else involved.

When I first munch a bunch of these Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos, my immediate impression was SPICY COOL RANCH DORITOS. I wasn’t getting enough Buffalo flavor at all. There was definitely a spicy kick at the end, and the more I ate, the more the overall tanginess of the chip came through – but despite the tang, I was missing that distinct Buffalo vinegar and cayenne pepper flavor.

However, these definitely tasted good. I tried to rationalize it by saying that this is exactly what a Buffalo Wing dipped in ranch tastes like – like the Buffalo flavor had been muted by the creaminess of the ranch. So, in that sense, these weren’t too “off” from the flavor profile – and, again, they were tasty tasty overall.

After a few hours, I made a second go of these Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Doritos – this time around, I definitely sensed a bit more Buffalo flavor. I was able to imagine a Buffalo sauce mixed with a Ranch dressing, resulting in the flavor I tasted. More and more, I could taste the flavor profile Doritos was seeking. I think for me, personally, I am just so used to eating Buffalo Wings alone with no additional creaminess that these threw me off a little.

Stepping back, I thought these were still very tasty. Easy to eat, and just the right amount of heat. I’m glad these are back.

PURCHASED AT: Wegmans, Germantown, MD.

FOUND AT: End cap chip display near the Crackers/Cookies aisle.

COST: $2.50 on sale.

Sincerely,

The JFG