By Cole Kruger
In today’s Fact or Fiction I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
1. The SEC doesn’t have a true contender
My Take: FACT
While this statement doesn’t necessarily say that there are no good SEC teams, it does say that the SEC doesn’t have a real contender that will win it all. This is the worst we’ve seen the SEC in a long time as it feels like there is always an SEC member in the national championship.
I have a feeling that we won’t see an SEC member in the national championship this season. The SEC has been an absolute bloodbath this year, as they are the only conference with no teams undefeated in conference play as Texas A&M lost to South Carolina last night.
We have seen every top team be vulnerable, as Texas almost lost to Vandy, and Georgia narrowly beating Florida without DJ Lagway. Even with those two top teams struggling, it is also hard to buy into programs like Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, as it’s hard to see them having any postseason success.
2. The ACC race is over
My Take: FICTION
With Clemson’s home loss to Louisville last night, it could be pretty easy to sit back and say that Miami has the ACC locked up, but that cannot be farther from the truth. The SMU Mustangs will have something to say about that, even if they don’t play Miami in the regular season.
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SMU and Miami both control their own destiny, and it is very possible we see a face-off between two teams that are undefeated in conference play in Charlotte next month. SMU’s high-flying offense will pose issues for the below-average Miami defense if they end up playing one another in the ACC Championship. I’m sure SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee will also be out for revenge against Miami as he was the OC for them back in 2020.
3. The Lincoln Riley era at USC is over
My Take: FACT
When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma to go to USC, the expectations were sky-high, but to say it has been a disappointment through two seasons would be an understatement. Riley was able to bring Caleb Williams with him to USC, and despite having one of the best QB’s we’ve seen in college football, the team mustered an average 8-5 record last season.
This year, Riley was faced with a new challenge as USC went to the Big Ten, but he has failed immensely. Despite a huge week one win against LSU, USC has gone 3-5 since, and 2-5 in conference play. The Trojans are a disaster, as they lost to Washington yesterday as Miller Moss threw three interceptions in the loss. Trojan fans and the rest of the nation are beginning to turn on Riley and the team, and Riley could be on his way out the door soon if the disappointment continues.
