1. Lane Kiffin: The what-if scenario gains traction

Here we are, in a sport that often overlooks the present in favor of an enticing future, and the speculation surrounding Lane Kiffin joining Florida is officially underway.

Lane and Florida sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes a firing, then comes a hiring, then comes Kiffin …

“Suddenly, our program isn’t awful,” Kiffin remarked last weekend while defending his Ole Miss squad, which faced a surprising loss at home to Kentucky as a significant favorite—prompting the inevitable pursuit of Kiffin by Florida.

No matter how much anyone might try to deny it, this swift union now has real momentum.

Before we delve deeper, Kiffin has a point. The belief that Ole Miss is a fraud or can’t perform well in crucial games due to one disappointing Saturday is quite narrow-minded.

However, this won’t halt the what-if discussions; it might even amplify them.

Timing is crucial now; just one more loss for Ole Miss could initiate everything.

The Florida program, which once stood tall in college football, is currently a mere shadow of its glorious past. Coach Billy Napier is teetering on the brink of another disappointing season, which could lead to him joining the ranks of past coaches like Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, and Dan Mullen.

This is an open secret in college football.

Despite having every advantage to succeed, Florida has failed to reclaim its former glory since Urban Meyer’s tenure nearly 20 years ago, marked by a domination that was both impressive and contentious.

Kiffin’s coaching journey kicked off in 2009 at Tennessee, right as Meyer’s Florida dynasty was beginning to crumble.

Kiffin’s debut at Tennessee was marked by allegations against Meyer for NCAA infractions, and he himself would later encounter multiple violations during his short-lived tenure before moving to his aspiration role at USC.

This might be the perfect match between a coach and a program.

2. Florida’s coaching missteps

Let’s analyze Florida’s coaching choices since Meyer departed after the 2010 season.

Muschamp: A top-notch defensive coach and recruiter, but unable to cultivate a strong quarterback.

McElwain: Former Saban assistant and a passionate fisherman.

Mullen: An exceptional offensive strategist, but not focused on recruiting.

In the meantime, the program fell behind in upgrading its facilities and took a decade to start investing seriously, mistakenly believing that success could be replicated without modernizing, just because Spurrier and Meyer did it.

Then came Napier, who was provided with every tool imaginable: a new $60 million football training facility and a vast support team of over 40 staff members for every possible situation—except for the key factor.

What if Napier wasn’t prepared for this role?

Now, it’s crucial to hire a coach who genuinely excels in the game. A leader who has a strong history of recruiting and player development, and who can tap into the talent-rich landscape of Florida to build a championship-caliber roster.

Disregard past judgments about Kiffin. He’s made mistakes—who hasn’t?

Kiffin isn’t the same unrefined coach from Tennessee, the beleaguered figure stepping into a challenging situation at USC (with the deck stacked against him due to NCAA penalties), or even the erratic genius at Alabama who Saban had to manage.

He has evolved into a competent coach in all respects.

With multiple double-digit win seasons under his belt at Ole Miss, including a record-setting 11 victories in 2023, he is among the best for developing quarterbacks and calling plays in the sport.

Now, envision Kiffin recruiting within Florida. Or better yet, coaching Gators’ promising freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.

3. The pursuit of Kiffin, The Conclusion

The loss to Kentucky doesn’t spell disaster for Ole Miss’s season, but it brings Kiffin and the Rebels one step closer to potentially missing the College Football Playoff. This is crucial to the prospective union between Florida and Kiffin.

Timing is of the essence.

It will be challenging for Kiffin to leave if Ole Miss makes the playoffs, putting Florida in a tough spot. Should Ole Miss not make it to the College Football Playoff (CFP), Florida would be able to hire him right after the final teams are decided.

We can discuss whether Florida is willing to offer Kiffin a salary in the range of $11-12 million annually, and if they truly want to break free from being stuck in the middle of college football to avoid slipping into lower-tier competition like Mississippi State or Vanderbilt.

However, there is no question about the value of the job.

Kiffin’s achievements at Ole Miss have raised expectations to match those of Florida. This means that regardless of where he coaches, the standard is now set at reaching the CFP and aspiring to win it all.

Kiffin could stay with Ole Miss, frequently exploring the transfer portal and hoping for more successes than failures. Alternatively, he could make the move to Florida, recruiting and developing talent from one of the three top states known for high school football, alongside adding a few standout players from the portal.

Despite any denial, the groundwork is being laid for this potential partnership.

It’s simply a matter of timing.

4. The Big 12: Beyond Coach Prime

Introducing the Big 12. After Texas and Oklahoma left for the SEC, many thought this conference was finished, but the revised setup is now looking quite attractive.

Both Brigham Young and Iowa State are undefeated one month into the season, making up two of the four ranked teams in the Big 12, alongside Kansas State and Utah. Meanwhile, the ACC, another major conference, finds itself in turmoil as it battles with its key television assets (Florida State, Clemson) in legal disputes.

With the Big 12 in a scramble during conference reshuffling, there are four upcoming playoff-impacting games involving the top five teams: BYU against Utah, Iowa State facing Utah, Kansas State at Iowa State, and Texas Tech playing Iowa State.

This list doesn’t even account for Colorado and Arizona, which boast two of the best quarterbacks (Shedeur Sanders, Noah Fafita) and receivers (Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan) in the country, likely posing challenges for all teams.

Colorado still has games ahead against Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Utah, while Arizona is matched up with Texas Tech and will visit BYU.

While the Big 12 may not have the most lucrative television contracts, the games in the upcoming months promise to be more exciting than what the ACC is likely to offer.

5. The Weekly Five

Here are the top five performances by quarterbacks from the transfer portal after the first month of the season:

1. Cam Ward, Miami (from Washington State): 1,782 yards, 18 touchdowns, 4 interceptions.

2. Kyle McCord, Syracuse (from Ohio State): 1,459 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5 interceptions.

3. Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh (from Alabama): 1,186 yards, 12 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.

4. Brandon Sorsby, Cincinnati (from Indiana): 1,481 yards, 12 touchdowns, 1 interception.

5. Tyler Shough, Louisville (from Texas Tech): 1,114 yards, 11 touchdowns, 1 interception.

6. NFL Scout Insight: Kentucky Defensive Tackle Deone Walker

Here’s an analysis of a draft-eligible player from an NFL scout who requested anonymity to protect their team’s draft strategies.

“He’s a massive player (6-foot-6, 350 pounds) with immense strength, capable of attracting double teams and disrupting plays from the interior. He’s not just an average player; he has an explosive first step, and his hands are powerful and agile. He utilizes impressive edge moves, with his spin move being particularly effective. He’s a genuine threat as a pass rusher from inside. He could end up being the top interior defensive lineman selected.”

7. Power Play: Alabama Back on Top

This week’s College Football Playoff Power Poll, including those on the cusp of selection, highlights one major point.

1. Alabama: The first half against Georgia showcased some of the best 30 minutes Alabama has played under Saban.

2. Ohio State: The Buckeyes will face a stiff test against Iowa’s tough defense this week.

3. Miami: A critical moment for this developing team is learning to win games when they seem outmatched.

4. BYU: At some point, the difficulty of maintaining a consistent running game against a tougher schedule will become an issue.

5. Georgia: Coming back from 30-7 was incredibly impressive and may have set a positive trend for the remainder of their season.

6. Texas: The open week gives quarterback Quinn Ewers a better chance to be ready for the Oklahoma game.

7. Tennessee: Can the Vols maintain focus against Arkansas and Florida to set up a significant home game against Alabama on October 19?

8. Penn State: The Nittany Lions need to see more from quarterback Drew Allar in crucial matchups.

9. Missouri: Have the chance to prove they belong in the CFP picture by beating a strong Aggies team in College Station.

10. Oregon: It’s tough to gauge this team, as they seem off balance each week.

11. Michigan: The Wolverines need to display the same intensity expected of a USC-level team or risk losing after a long trip to Washington.

12. Boise State: The Broncos effectively control the game tempo by running the ball effectively, putting pressure on the No. 5 playoff seed.

13. USC: Another trip to the Midwest will test USC’s toughness against a physical Minnesota team.

14. Clemson: Now is the time for the Tigers to demonstrate their capabilities against Florida State, even if the Seminoles are not what they once were.

15. Ole Miss: The Rebels’ passing game remains too significant to overlook.

16. Kansas State: Despite a rough loss to BYU, the Wildcats could still be the most balanced team in the Big 12.

8. Mail Bonding: Texas vs. Alabama (and Georgia)

Matt: Can you explain why Texas, after dominating with wins by 48 and 22 points using a backup quarterback, still ranks below Alabama in the polls? – Darrel Crutchfield, San Antonio.

Darrel: Let me explain this as clearly as possible: Voters believe Alabama is a superior team. Especially after their strategic play against Georgia for 30 minutes, maintaining possession while managing not to squander a 28-point lead.

In college football, the poll process often hinges on subjective viewing until the CFP begins, and it’s hard to argue against the perception that Alabama and Georgia are the top two teams at the moment.

The entire polling system has flaws, based on a dubious assumption that an unbeaten team is superior to a one-loss team, and so forth.

Texas will get its chance to face Georgia on October 19 in Austin, which will provide a clearer picture regarding their standing.

9. Numbers Game: The QB Dilemma at Texas A&M

6.73. Coach Mike Elko of Texas A&M has mentioned that quarterback Conner Weigman, currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury, may receive clearance to play this week against No. 9 Missouri.

This situation puts backup Marcel Reed, who has been instrumental in leading the Aggies to three straight victories while performing exceptionally well, in a challenging position on the bench. It also indicates that Texas A&M might miss out on having their most explosive and versatile player on the field.

Reed has not only been more effective in his passing, boasting six touchdown throws with no interceptions, but he has also rushed for 230 yards and scored two touchdowns. Being a dual-threat quarterback, he puts pressure on defenses by averaging 6.73 yards each time the ball is in play, whether he is passing (7.4 yards per attempt) or running (5.5 yards per carry).

10. The Final Word: A Wake-Up Call for Miami

The Hail Mary play that didn’t count for Virginia Tech last Friday turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Miami.

If it hadn’t happened, the Hurricanes would be heading to Berkeley, California, this weekend, potentially oblivious to the ramifications of what narrowly occurred, stuck in a hotel room waiting for their 10:30 p.m. ET game against a formidable opponent that has had two weeks to prepare.

Ward will face the toughest defense he has encountered all season. The Bears rank No. 12 in the nation for scoring defense, allowing just 12.8 points per game, and they lead the country in interceptions with a total of 10.