Fact or Fiction: Oklahoma vs. Nebraska, Caleb Williams' Arm Talent, Longhorn Title Hopes

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 rivalry that needs to return the most but won’t is Nebraska-Oklahoma.

Farrell’s take: FACT

We recently did an article on rivalries we want to see return and my favorite was Nebraska vs Oklahoma. With the Huskers leaving for the Big Ten ages ago and Oklahoma now off to the SEC in 2024, we obviously are further from seeing this game than ever before — and it’s missed. Yes, we saw the 2021 and 2022 versions of the game where Oklahoma squeaked one out and then blew out the Huskers, but it’s not the same as a year-to-year intraconference battle. I long for the top three matchups of 2000 and 2001 and perhaps younger folks would like to see Florida-Miami or Notre Dame-Michigan but for me the Sooners vs. the Huskers was regional rivalry heaven.

Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Ron Brown leads a prayer after the game with Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers players at Memorial Stadium.

2. Caleb Williams has a top-five arm next season in college football.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

247 did a list of the biggest arms at QB next season and Joe Milton from Tennessee was rightly at the top. But USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 3 ahead of guys like Michael Penix Jr. from Washington and Quinn Ewers from Texas is a stretch. I’d rate them as follows — 1) Milton 2) Ewers 3) Penix Jr. 4) Drake Maye from UNC 5) Drew Allar from Penn State and then Williams at No. 6.

Nov 19, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl.

3. Ricky Williams is high.

Farrell’s take: FACT

We know Ricky loves his weed but when he came out and said he thinks this is the year for Texas, maybe he was a bit too high. The talent is solid for the Longhorns and Quinn Ewers should take a big step forward but losing running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson is being glossed over by some and the defense is about mid-tier in the conference. TCU, Kansas State, and Texas Tech should all be solid and the conference is the best in the country when it comes to overall parity. I won’t believe the “this is the year” hype until Texas actually has an elite year.