National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance ranking the SEC top-tier wide receivers, potential breakout players in the Pac-12, and the coaching debate — Steve Sarkisian, Texas vs. Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Top SEC Wide Receivers
— Let’s roll through the SEC top receivers with some shoes to fill.
1. Antwane Wells, South Carolina
— He is far and away the best receiver returning in the SEC in my book, and 1,000 yards and 10 or more scores should happen.
2. Dominic Lovett, Georgia
— The Missouri transfer has a chance to be special but will be overshadowed a bit at times by Brock Bowers.
3. Malik Nabers, LSU
— LSU is expected to pass more this season, and Nabors is WR1, so expect big numbers.
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4. Bru McCoy, Tennessee
— Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman are gone, so McCoy could shoot to No. 1 on this list by season’s end.
5. Tre Harris, Ole Miss
— The Louisiana Tech transfer will shine in a more normal passing offense for Ole Miss than last year.
Pac-12 Breakout Players
— We turn to the PAC 12 to find our next round of breakout players.
1. WR Elijhah Badger, Arizona State
Despite up-and-down quarterback play, Badger was more than solid for the Sun Devils in 2022, finishing with 866 yards and seven touchdowns. But with a more pass-friendly system being brought in by Kenny Dillingham, he should see a big increase in touches.
2. RB Michael Wiley, Arizona
A true all-purpose back, Wiley quietly racked up over 1,100 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns last season. As Jedd Fisch’s offense continues to evolve in the desert, so will Wiley’s usage, as he’s incredibly dangerous in the open field.
3. WR Jeremiah Hunter, Cal
Hunter finished 2022 second to teammate J Michael Sturdivant in nearly every receiving category. But with Sturdivant off to UCLA, Hunter becomes the focal point of the passing attack.
The Coach Debate: Steve Sarkisian vs. Brent Venables
— And we continue the coaching debate with the two coaches on opposite sides of the Red River Rivalry, Steve Sarkisian and Brent Venables.
The case for Sarkisian:
For one, Sark has a ton more experience as a head coach – with eight-plus seasons under his belt, the head man at Texas has been in charge of a program for a lot longer than his counterpart at Oklahoma. Additionally, he’s a proven recruiter who has reeled in some of the biggest names over the year, including most recently Arch Manning. The Longhorns have finished in the top five of 247’s composite rankings in his first two full cycles in Austin. Finally, he’s an upper-tier offensive mind who has coordinated and called plays for some of the best units in history, including the 2020 Alabama team that shattered records.
The case against Sarkisian:
Let’s address the elephant in the room – Sarkisian has some skeletons in his closet. And while he seems to have gotten the demons that haunted him at USC under control, alcohol problems aren’t something you shake permanently. Texas is also arguably the job under the microscope more than any other in the country, and that added pressure is hard for any coach. He’s expected to put up big things in his third season at the helm.
The case for Venables:
Before arriving as the head coach in Norman, Venables was one of the best and most decorated defensive coordinators of the past decade, leading two national-championship winning units for Clemson with dozens of NFL draft picks who developed under his tutelage. Additionally, he’s pulled in a phenomenal first full class on the recruiting trail, highlighted by five-stars Peyton Bowen and Jackson Arnold.
The case against Venables:
The 2022 season couldn’t have gone much worse on the field than it did. A losing record for the first time in a quarter century at a program that expects excellence does not buy any goodwill with the fanbase. He seemed completely lost at times during games last year, and the Sooners’ defense was truly putrid, finishing bottom-10 in the nation in yards allowed.
The verdict:
It’s still Sarkisian, but it’s closer than anticipated. If Venables is able to continue to close on recruits the way that he did heading into national signing day, then Oklahoma can get back to competing with the top teams in the nation (especially if Arnold is as-advertised). But Sark has the combination of experience, recruiting ability, and proven offense that makes him the better choice – for now.
