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. Clemson intends to leave the ACC.
Farrell’s take: FACT
This is becoming more and more of a reality, it seems, as rumors are flying. And yes, we’ve heard this before about ACC teams, especially as Florida State’s leadership has been very vocal. But Clemson is operating in silence, but there’s real internal interest in leaving. The problem? There is no way South Carolina will welcome Clemson into the SEC, and they are campaigning hard against their inclusion. And I’m not sure the SEC wants to expand at all unless the Big Ten takes a shot across their bow by going hard after a Southern program. Clemson is not a member of the AAU (American Association of Universities), which has long been considered a requirement for the Big Ten, but I’m told it’s not a deal breaker. The biggest issue, of course, is the Grant Of Rights and the $120 million payout required to leave, but let’s remember that Maryland was supposed to have paid $50 million to leave the ACC for the Big Ten, but it was negotiated down to $31 million, and they are in much better shape because of it. The ACC knows there is potential trouble on the horizon with FSU, Miami, UNC, and others looking around, but Clemson could be the team most serious.
2. Ole Miss should still be ranked
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Why? They struggled with a Tulane team without their QB Michael Pratt. They struggled with a weak Georgia Tech team, and they just got drubbed by an Alabama team that isn’t close to what we’re used to seeing. And yet they fall only five spots? Get Kentucky or someone in there who hasn’t lost if you want to make love to the SEC, or how about a team that deserves it outside the SEC like Maryland?
3. Nick Saban was throwing shade against Lane Kiffin.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Some people took it this way when Saban came out and said Mississippi State would be an even greater challenge to Alabama than Ole Miss was. And I can see why. The Bulldogs looked horrible against LSU at home and lost to a struggling South Carolina team to fall to 2-2 under first-year head coach Zach Arnett. So why say it’s going to be tougher than a game against a ranked opponent like Ole Miss? Some felt it was a shot at Kiffin, who loves and respects Saban, but also ticked him off last week by suggesting DC Kevin Steele wasn’t calling the defense anymore. But let’s be honest, this is just coach speak. The atmosphere at Mississippi State is a tough one; it’s always harder to win on the road in the SEC, and Saban is trying to keep his team focused against an opponent with nothing to lose. A Saban vs. Kiffin tiff would be epic in so many ways, and I’d love it, but this isn’t the start of it.
