Another slate of good conference games gets played Saturday! Here's how we see week four going down:
Southern vs. (7) Georgia
Godsey: It seems like SEC teams have had problems with teams that they are supposed to mop the floor with. I just can't envision a world where Southern is able to keep up with Georgia unless the Bulldogs don't show up at all. I know Georgia has got to be looking ahead to next week when the Tide comes to town. Georgia rolls big in this one.
The Pick: Georgia 52 Southern 3
Griff: Nick Chubb goes for over 100 yards and ties Herschel Walker's 12-consecutive game streak of 100 yards on the ground. Georgia's on pace for a big year.
The Pick: Georgia 35 Southern 0
Central Florida vs. South Carolina
Godsey: South Carolina is coming off of a two-game skid and will be looking to get back on track. This is a game that the Gamecocks need. They've got a few problems to work out before going to Missouri next week. If they don't overlook UCF, they should win this one.
The Pick: South Carolina 31 Central Florida 24
Griff: Third quarterback in four games has to be a first for the HBC, as he'll be starting true freshman Lorenzo Nunez. The Gamecocks have also moved some personnel on defense to try to find the right formula for a team that had to have done some soul-searching after the thrashing that Georgia put on them. Spurrier does have a knack for making his team finish stronger than they start, and maybe this week will show the first signs of improvement.
The Pick: South Carolina 34 Central Florida 17
(8) LSU vs. Syracuse
The Pick: LSU 49 Syracuse 10
Griff: Leonard Fournette showed that he could be a first round pick already last week against Auburn, but he'll only be lighting up the Carrier Dome for the first half. LSU wins big.
The Pick: LSU 41 Syracuse 16
Tennessee vs. Florida
Godsey: Tennessee has a chip on their shoulder and will try to end their losing streak to Florida. This game is in The Swamp, so it's not going to be easy. I had these two teams as an even matchup until Florida suspended QB Treon Harris and CB Jalen Tabor. Will Grier should start at QB, and he has plenty of experience at the helm of the offense. However, I expect Tennessee to find the back-up CB, and light him up. The Vols pull out a victory in Gainesville.
The Pick: Tennessee 27 Florida 24
Griff: This game will be one of the more physical matchups in the country this week, as there's always bad blood in this rivalry. Florida's suspensions this week creates to much of a void for them to pull out a victory, but you know they'll put all they have into beating the Vols. Tennessee wins a close one.
The Pick: Tennessee 20 Florida 13
Louisiana-Monroe vs. (12) Alabama
Godsey: To Alabama, this should be a revenge game. Not because the Warhawks beat them 21-14 the last time they met, but because they have to prove to everyone that they are still in the playoff hunt. The Tide will be hungry after last week's performance cost them the game against Ole Miss. Bama regrouped after the loss to Ole Miss last season, and they'll try to do that again starting with UL-Monroe. Either they'll get the win, or heads are going to roll.
The Pick: Alabama 42 Louisiana Monroe 10
Griff: Is the Tide dynasty coming to an end? This game isn't going to tell us, and the Warhawks are going to get Bama's full attention after dropping a close one last week.
The Pick: Alabama 38 Louisiana Monroe 0
(14) Texas A&M vs. Arkansas
Godsey: Arkansas is about 1,000 miles away from where we thought they would be right now. I don't see this game going any better for them. Arkansas will lose at home to a second Texas team in as many weeks.
The Pick: Texas A&M 42 Arkansas 20
Griff: I'm glad I didn't buy into the pre-season hype that many did with the Razorbacks, and I stick to my theory that they're all talk, just like their head coach.
The Pick: Texas A&M 41 Arkansas 28
Vanderbilt vs. (3) Ole Miss
Godsey: Poor Vandy...
The Pick: Ole Miss 55 Vanderbilt 17
Griff: The Commodores are in for a rough trip to Mississippi...
The Pick: Ole Miss 63 Vanderbilt 20
Mississippi State vs. Auburn
Godsey: How is Auburn a three-point favorite as of Wednesday? DL Carl Lawson won't be available again this week. I've taken more snaps than he has. The Tigers will also be starting QB Sean White (no not Shaun White the skateboarder) in place of Jeremy Johnson. I don't think the Auburn defense will be able to contain Dak Prescott and that will open up another can of worms for the Tigers. I don't think the Auburn offense will be able to play consistently good enough to outscore the Bulldogs.
The Pick: Mississippi State 38 Auburn 27
Griff: Auburn needs to find their rhythm on offense, and I think that Malzahn's personnel move will help them get in that direction. Jordan-Hare will be ready to see this team resurrect themselves, and the Tiger defense will be up to the task of stopping Dak Prescott.
The Pick: Auburn 31 Mississippi State 28
(25) Missouri vs. Kentucky
Godsey: I'm not surprised Missouri is 3-0 right now. I am surprised that they are in the top 25 coming into this game. Kentucky is 2-1 and has earned every bit of it. As of Wednesday, the Wildcats are 2.5 point favorite. I'll take Kentucky at home.
The Pick: Kentucky 27 Missouri 24
Griff: Missouri's offense has been very choppy this season, but the Tigers have actually played well on defense. Gary Pinkel will try to get creative with his weapons, and the Tigers will sneak out of Lexington with a big conference win.
The Pick: Missouri 23 Kentucky 17
(22) BYU vs. Michigan
Godsey: I think this is going to be a tricky game for BYU. Both teams come in at 2-1, and Michigan is the favorite at home. BYU lost a close game to a really good UCLA team last week. I know BYU has a better team at this point, but I think the roller coaster of a game in L.A. combined with traveling to a very hostile environment in Michigan will spell disaster for the Cougars. I'll take Michigan at home.
The Pick: Michigan 34 BYU 28
Griff: The Cougars will have to be physical in the Big House, but I think the Wolverines are still trying to figure themselves out on offense. BYU gets a couple turnovers that will allow them to stay one-step ahead of Jim Harbaugh's squad.
The Pick: BYU 24 Michigan 20
(24) Oklahoma State vs. Texas
Godsey: Oklahoma State has one of the most powerful offenses in the country. Their defense is also one of the best. The Cowboys, however, have only played against traditionally weaker opponents. Texas has been weak, but the only thing the Longhorns have going for them is a 14-1 record versus the Cowboys at home in Austin. I think Oklahoma State makes that 14-2 this year, though.
The Pick: Oklahoma State 35 Texas 20
Griff: The Longhorns will lose another one this week, but I really hope that Texas fans remain patient with Charlie Strong and let him get at least one more season under his belt.
The Pick: Oklahoma State 33 Texas 17
(9) UCLA vs. (16) Arizona
Godsey: This should be a very exciting game. Both teams feature offenses that can rack up the yards as well as points. Arizona dropped 77 points and 792 yards of total offense last week. Nevermind who it was against, it's still a lot. I think UCLA has more experience with better teams though, and that's why I'll take the Bruins by 4.
The Pick: UCLA 31 Arizona 27
Griff: The loss of Myles Jack in the UCLA defense is going to slow the Bruins down. Rich Rodriguez has created a powerful offense down in Tuscon, and I think the Bruins drop this one in a good ole' fashioned west coast score-fest.
The Pick: Arizona 38 UCLA 35
As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to follow Griff on Twitter @griffaldo.
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