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. Lincoln Riley will never learn defense.
Farrell’s take: FACT
The issue at Oklahoma was defense. So Riley brings with him to USC his defensive coordinator Alex Grinch from Norman and of course, the issue there is now defense. The bowl loss to Tulane was embarrassing, and Riley will never know how to coach or focus on defense, and it’s the reason he will never win a national title. I know it’s early in his USC tenure but this just looks like OU West.
2. Javon Bullard’s hit was targeting.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
The hit on Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. by the Georgia corner was a huge one. You’ve seen it but if you haven’t here’s a great angle…
After further review. Clean hit.
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) January 2, 2023
And it’s a legit football hit. Harrison said so himself after the game. This was not helmet first and above the shoulders but rather shoulder first and perfect timing aimed at the numbers. You can screen shot it over and over and find it to be legal or illegal depending on your loyalty, but honestly this is what football is about. It’s Bullard’s job to dislodge the ball legally and he did just that.
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3. The monkey is off the back of James Franklin.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Nah, not yet. This was yet another nice Rose Bowl win for the coach and a quality win over a top 10 opponent but Penn State fans and national haters of Franklin won’t care. He’s now 3-15 against Top 10 programs and continually loses to Ohio State and Michigan yearly it seems. Until they record climbs significantly he will always have to deal with the critics.
