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. Lane Kiffin has Ole Miss on the edge of playoff contention.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Ole Miss had another 10-win season under Kiffin and that’s good news. The bad news? He hasn’t beaten any of the big teams he needs to beat on a consistent basis. Losses to Alabama and Georgia this season weren’t close and losses to LSU and Mississippi State in 2022 still sting despite avenging them this year. Kiffin’s winning percentage against teams that end a season with 9 or more wins is below 10% and until that changes (Tulane and LSU help that a bit this season) they won’t get consistent contenders for the expanded playoff. Even with an easy schedule next season, I can’t see wins over Georgia or Oklahoma and the LSU game is a toss-up.
2. Kirk Ferentz should be Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
This was posed after another awful 13-10 win, this time over horrible Nebraska, as Ferentz finished 10-2 this season and won the Big Ten West. And with Penn State losing their two annual games and the winner of Michigan and Ohio State unlikely to bring Jim Harbaugh or Ryan Day such accolades, Ferentz will probably win the award. But keeping his son Brian Ferentz employed and allowing a horrible offense to be the thing he had to overcome week after week is his own fault so he doesn’t get the credit many want him to get for overcoming adversity. My pick? David Braun at Northwestern, who overcame real adversity he inherited to lead the Wildcats to an improbably six wins.
3. Brent Venables is better than Lincoln Riley.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Oklahoma fans were hurt that Lincoln Riley left them behind and for good reason. And the immediate hate on the coach was understandable but also looked like sour grapes. After all, Riley led Oklahoma to the playoff three times and Brent Venables looked way over his head last season in his debut. But what about now? Venables is looking more and more like the better fit at Oklahoma as Riley struggles badly at USC. Sooners fans are heading into the SEC in great shape and with the right guy.
