Week 4 Preview: Dumpster fire alert
This week is Dumpster Fire alert.
Note: This doesn’t apply to every team.
But Missouri’s trip to Auburn is a dumpster fire of all three facets of the game, Florida v Tennessee will feature the potential dumpster fire of two bad defenses and a kid who was after Week 1 a Heisman candidate and is now a cautionary tale of Week 1 beliefs, and Arkansas v Texas A&M just simply is a dumpster fire of expectations and stupidity. Every year.
The other games are [checks notes] dull.
SO HERE IS YOUR WEEK 4 PREVIEW, in terms of what games we are interested in. And the odd betting tip.
- No.20 Florida at No.11 Tennessee (-10 1/2, O/U 62 1/2) How can we put this nicely? Florida’s defense is shambolic, and Anthony Richardson has slid downwards at epic speed. If we’re honest, Florida should be 1-2 by now, and unranked. And yet, they are – mostly helped by the Utah win in Week 1. But we have to be honest. Richardson could have a field day against Tennessee, who was itself lucky to get away with the win against Pittsburgh in one of the funnest games of the year so far. The Vols were leaky against the Panthers, but somehow two ‘excellent’ performances against far worse opposition gets a pass. So really, we should go and look at both QBs. And Hendon Hooker is a far better QB right now than Richardson – and has better weapons. PREDICTION: In front of a packed house already lit up by College Gameday, the Vols win for the second time in six years, and the second time in SEVENTEEN. Tennessee 38, Florida 21.
2. Texas A&M (-2.5 O/U 48) vs Arkansas Arkansas was awful against mighty Missouri State. The Hogs had to come back from 17-0 down to end up with the ‘W’ in a 38-27 win, but boy, was in ugly. Texas A&M’s offensive problems continued against Miami, but they managed to eke out the win, mainly because Devon Achane is amazing, the defense was watertight in the end-zone, and Mario Cristobal isn’t a great head coach. So that’s why we go into JerryWorld not quite knowing what to think of both teams. My biggest hope? The game will be batshit crazy. PREDICTION: Arkansas wins in a wonderfully ugly game. Arkansas 24, Texas A&M 17.
3. Missouri vs Auburn (-6.5 O/U 48.5) Such is the anathema on The Plains at the moment that tickets to this game are selling for $24, and probably will be $10 by two hours before the game. And it won’t be full. The Tigers were hammered by Penn State on Saturday, and Missouri struggled to beat the mighty Abilene Christian. Auburn fans will be hoping for Robby Ashford to go into the No.1 QB position, or Tank Bigsby to basically run the ball all day long against a middling Missouri defense that is one big sieve. On the other hand, Missouri’s problems make them the worst team in the SEC. This will be a race to the bottom. PREDICTION: Auburn by 20 in a waltz, papering over some of Harsin’s cracks. Auburn 41, Missouri 21.
4. Northern Illinois at Kentucky (-26.5 O/U 53) Northern Illinois has shown it can score points this season, racking up at least 28 points in its first three games. Having said that, its defense is horrible (their last effort included giving up 38 to Vanderbilt). They will visit Kentucky who is a massive favourite, and many are expecting Will Levis to throw all over them, with Kavoisey Smoke providing able back-up against the 111th-ranked defense in the nation. PREDICTION: Kentucky in a laugher. Kentucky 45, Northern Illinois 10. The covering will be done by the 3rd.
5. Vanderbilt at Alabama (-40.5 O/U 59)
Vanderbilt’s offense seems to have found a bit of stride this season, but its defense continues to be leaky, and Alabama will prove that in its first SEC win. We don’t know whether it will be Bryce Young’s arm or Jahmyr Gibbs’ legs that will cause the damage, but one thing’s for sure: It ain’t gonna be close. PREDICTION: Alabama by 35 in a game which annoys some Vegas people as Vandy score two TDs at the end. Alabama 52, Vanderbilt 21.
ALL THESE OTHER GAMES ARE SNORE-WORTHY
6. NEW MEXICO V LSU
7. KENT STATE V GEORGIA
8. BOWLING GREEN V MISSISSIPPI STATE
9. CHARLOTTE V SOUTH CAROLINA (THAT CLAIMS IT’S A SELLOUT, BUT IT WON’T BE)