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. Miami keeps trying to make everyone forget the bad play call.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Everything from photos of the fumble to pics of Georgia Tech WR Christian Leary “sliding” and “giving himself up,” the goal of Miami is to continue to distract from the disastrous play call that led to the amazing upset by the Jackets. Was it a fumble after all by Donald Chaney Jr.? Did Leary slide early? Who cares. None of this should have existed if a knee was taken and the game salted away. The ACC doubled down on the proper fumble call on the field, but it sure looks like Chaney Jr. was down but again, who cares? None of this should have even come into play, and Miami can call for all the reviews they want, and athletic director Dan Radakovich can ask for the standard of indisputable evidence to be reviewed, but the bottom line is this — Miami brought all of this nonsense into play by refusing to take a knee.
2. Texas is still a national title contender.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
I don’t see it. Texas has a nice win over Alabama, and all but the loss to Oklahoma is a killer. Let’s say they run the table which will could happen with no ranked teams left on the schedule. And let’s say Oklahoma stumbles once (which would need to happen) but still makes the Big 12 title game. And let’s say Texas wins that game and go 12-1 with wins over Oklahoma and Alabama, while OU drops to 11-2. All of that could happen, and Texas would be in the playoff. But they still won’t win it all. Why? This Texas team doesn’t have what it takes to beat a physical Michigan or Georgia team. Oklahoma came out and played a physical brand of football, something we hadn’t seen from the Sooners under that other coach, and Texas was stunned. They tried to be physical (three-run plays from the one) and couldn’t hang. How will they handle the Wolverines? The Dawgs? Teams that are much more physical than Oklahoma can ever be. It won’t go well. Steve Sarkisian is on the right path, but this team needs to get stronger on the offensive line, especially before I’ll give them a prayer to win it all.
3. LSU can still win the SEC.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Not with this defense. They still only have one SEC loss, and Alabama is the only ranked team left on the schedule, but they will drop at least one more game. You simply can’t play defense this poorly and expect to win your division in the SEC. Maybe the PAC 12 or recent years in the Big 12, but not in the SEC — not ever. LSU won’t lose to Auburn this weekend, but Alabama and Texas A&M are waiting.
