College Football Week 4 Preview: Lane Kiffin the Man the Myth

This week saw an incredible rumor spark up involving Lane Kiffin and a booster or... "other people". Whether or not the rumor was actually true doesn't even really matter as the jokes and Wikpiedia edits were hilarious enough on their own.

Well... Bring on the picks!




Tennessee @ Florida
"I don't usually be covering a game between two unranked teams, but you special." That pretty much sums up what's going on here. For both teams and coaches this game is a real test of where they stand in the pecking order of the SEC. Tennessee hasn't won at Florida since 2003. Meanwhile, Jim McElwain's Gators are desperately wanting to once again become a factor in the East, or as McElwain says, "Restore the order."

Florida's recipe for the owning of Tennessee has always relied on winning the turnover battle and controlling the ground game. That could be difficult since for the Gators since they will be without Treon Harris. Florida has used the two quarterback system against Tennessee with good results. I say good only because they've won, Florida hasn't a good quarterback since some guy.

It's very important for Florida to reestablish The Swamp as one of the most difficult places to play for opposing teams. Tennesse's Butch Jones is going to really, really start feeling the burn if he can't beat an extremely vulnerable Florida team, however. Tennessee was supposed to beat Florida last year and still managed to lose 10-9.

This will be one of the closest games yet. I don't really see either teams having much of an advantage. Tennessee has a distinct advantage in the run game but, again stopping that has been the calling card of Florida in this series. This game will be a really great barometer of the track that both team is on.

Florida 28 - Tennessee 24

#3 TCU @ Texas Tech
Unfortunately for Gary Patterson this week has centered mostly around what has been going on with TCU off the field as opposed to on. Patterson had to suspend two players for criminal goings on. The normally well spoken Patterson was also criticized for remarks made at Baylor coach Art Briles regarding the ongoing situation there.

Kingsbury the sexy coach of Tech meanwhile is surely looking to avenge last years 80-something loss to TCU. Although he hasn't directly said that is a factor, Kingsbury is nothing if not able to hold a grudge considering last weeks rightful metaphorical depantsing of loud mouth Brett Bielema.

This could be Tech's best shot at pulling the upset as TCU has now lost seven starters on defense. Tech also seems to have a pretty decent quarterback in Mahomes. TCU seems to also be dealing with a bit of malaise as people seem genuinely upset when don't beat people by 60-20, same goes for Baylor. TCU needs Boykin to step up strong, just like last year and help the team snap out of its funk.

TCU 41 - Texas Tech 35

#9 UCLA @ #16 Arizona
Josh Rosen doesn't have much time to dwell on his bad performance against BYU. In the game that saw BYU's magic run out (and also any hope for maximum craziness at the end of the season) the freshman went about 50% completion with three interceptions. Rosen and Co. will need to be full-go against a really good Arizona team looking to show the nation that the Pac 12 South consists of more than just UCLA and USC.

I've always liked RichRod since his days at Michigan. I think he got a pretty raw deal up there but I guess ultimately it worked out for all parties.

While Arizona has struggled defensively with a key injury their offense has been rolling behind Anu Solomon. And if the above wasn't motivation enough, consider that RichRod is 0-3 against UCLA.

Unless Rosen's confidence has fully recovered I predict bad things for UCLA. Solomon is a veteran and I imagine Arizona's fans will make life really hard for them in this game.

UCLA 31 - Arizona 34

#18 Utah - #13 Oregon
I have serious concerns about Oregon's defense. I mean without really looking into who was playing or anything else, you can't give up 28 points to Georgia State, one of the literal worst teams in college football, you just can't.

Utah's run defense is one of the best in the conference and that will probably be the key match-up as they go up against an Oregon rush attack that ranks 8th in the country.

Again though Oregon's defense has to be better. They are currently ranked 105th in the country allowing almost 500 yards per game. That includes such powerhouses at Eastern Washington and the before mentioned Georgia State Panthers.

I expect the return of Vernon Adams to be a huge factor for Oregon as well playing in the confines of Autzen Stadium. This will also be Oregon's first chance since losing to Michigan State to show that they are still a factor in the playoff race. I'm still having a hard time having confidence in the Ducks though because of their abysmal defense. I really hope some of that is just because well it's hard to get pumped when your playing one of the worst teams in CFB. Hopefully they will be properly motivated against another ranked team from the same conference.

Utah 31 - Oregon 34

#22 BYU @ Michigan

(This is Fany Pack's Fany Pick of the Week.)

Rumor has it Jim Harbaugh promised to send BYU his nudes
if they agreed to go easy on Michigan in the fourth quarter.

Michigan faces a big test Saturday when the team takes on No. 22 BYU. A win this weekend would go far in helping them make their way back to being a power team. The Wolverines have been getting better with each game under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Their only loss this season was their opener on the road at Utah, who is now No. 18. And they kept it respectable, within a touchdown.

BYU has certainly made an impressive showing its first three games, beating Nebraska (RIP) in this season's most exciting ending: a last-second hail-Mary touchdown pass. They then went on to beat No. 20 Boise State and just missed their chance to upset No. 10 UCLA last week. That being said, I think Michigan still has a good chance at winning Saturday.

BYU will be on the road Saturday, playing a noon game at The Big House. They've been through the wringer these past few weeks, so they're likely to be tired. They also rely on their passing game. And Michigan's selling point is its defense, which is particularly strong against such  pass-heavy teams.

Michigan is only going to get better under Jim Harbaugh, and I think they're going to start proving that this weekend.

Michigan 24 - BYU 21