Fact or Fiction: Cristobal's Future, UK Overrated, Louisville Best Team in Kentucky

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. Mario Cristobal could have shortened his tenure at Miami.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Hear me out. Cristobal is not on any hot seat at all so let’s be clear. While so many people love to say “he should be fired” and what he did was arguably a fireable offense from a coaching standpoint, he’s not going anywhere. But here’s why I say FACT. Coaches who don’t win it all quickly need to build up equity with their bosses and boosters. So for every setback they have, they lean on that equity. And each coach has an established limit of setbacks as some schools are more patient and some less. This loss to Georgia Tech is a setback and an embarrassing one for Cristobal and it will count heavily towards his equity. Simply put, he has one less bad performance now because of one dumb decision and it could cost him a few years down the road if he doesn’t ascend consistently.

Nov 12, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal celebrates after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

2. Kentucky was vastly overrated.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

I just think Kentucky ran into the wrong team at the wrong time. Georgia was coming off a poor performance against Auburn and some were questioning their No. 1 ranking and saying they weren’t as good as the last two years. And that’s perfect for Kirby Smart who’s an amazing motivator and loves the us vs. then mentality. At the same time, Kentucky was coming off a drubbing of a Florida team that somehow still demands respect. And Kentucky went into Athens and ran into an angry UGA team and got destroyed. I still think Kentucky is a good team, very solid in many aspects but it’s clear they aren’t ready for prime time. Perhaps we questioned UGA too soon? This is more about how good they are rather than how overrated Kentucky was as they just hit the rankings last week.

Sep 30, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops gives a thumbs up before the game against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field.

3. Louisville is the best team in Kentucky.

Farrell’s take: FACT

While I think Kentucky is a good team, Louisville is balling out and that win over Notre Dame was damned impressive. Jeff Brohm has made a huge difference for this program and the portal additions have been smart. When these two battle at the end of the season it will be a very good and close game but right now give me Louisville and that defense that shocked me by shutting down the Irish.