Fact or Fiction: Mario Cristobal in Year 2, ACC Revenue Sharing, Dabo Swinney

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. Miami should have a winning season in year two of Mario Cristobal.

Farrell’s take: FACT

It’s a little early to say this, but it was a topic of conversation a few times on the road this weekend so I’ll address it. Out of conference, Miami has what should be wins over Miami (OH), Bethune-Cookman, and Temple, with Texas A&M as a toss-up to me. In conference, Georgia Tech, UVA, and Boston College should be wins if all goes well, so that’s six wins on paper. Clemson, UNC, NC State, and Florida State I’d count as losses with Louisville a toss-up. So a win over the Aggies or Cardinals and a 7-5 season is possible. It’s going to be a long and slow rebuild for Cristobal, and it won’t be pretty in year two, but a winning season is more likely.

Oct 22, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Hard Rock Stadium.

2. The ACC will change revenue sharing.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

FSU AD Michael Alford recently hinted that something has to change in the ACC to keep up with the Big Ten and SEC revenue. Well, he didn’t really hint — he effectively came right out and said it. And he said FSU should get more of the revenue pie as FSU contributes 15% of revenue share but only gets 7% as an equal share amongst 14 teams. Well, good luck changing that. Um sorry Wake Forest and Syracuse but we need you to take less so FSU can have more. Not gonna happen. The ACC was all on board with this TV deal through 2036 and the grant of rights deal that has stopped conferences from poaching teams. Now, eight years later, they aren’t happy with either deal? Sorry, but a deal is a deal, and I don’t see anyone bending over backward to change what was signed into existence. FSU can take the hard road and sue to get out of the grant of rights so they can find a better home, but that’s on them. The conference, networks, and other teams aren’t going to help.

Florida State University Athletic Director Michael Alford stands on the sidelines as the war chant is played by the Marching Chiefs before kickoff of the game between the Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

3. Dabo Swinney still doesn’t get it.

Farrell’s take: FACT

I recently read that the Clemson coach is on board with college football playoff expansion as long as it’s done in a way that’s healthy for the players. It’s a nice sentiment and all, but it speaks to Swinney’s aw-shucks love of college football and his inability to pivot into the new world. What new world? Where player health — emotional or physical — doesn’t matter compared to the bottom line. We will now have nonrevenue sports teams from UCLA and USC flying across country to play Maryland and Rutgers because of money. Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC because of money. Players will begin holding out over NIL promises and issues, and are transferring as true freshmen sometimes because of the chase of money. And the playoff? Same deal. While the NCAA and conference commissions like to say they have the student-athletes best interests at heart, let’s be real. There are no “student” athletes anymore. As players make money, colleges will want to make even more. This will eventually lead to an NFL-like schedule load down the line where a college team could play as many as 17-18 games a season within the next 10 years. Maybe more. Some coaches like Dabo don’t embrace these changes and it’s nice and all. But he will get left behind if he doesn’t get a bit more realistic with these sweeping changes.