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. Brent Venables has a better chance at success than Marcus Freeman.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Both were defensive coordinators being hired a couple of years ago as first-time head coaches. And Freeman is 16-8 while Venables is 13-9 so neither has been great. And it’s a great debate because Oklahoma heads off to a major upgrade in the SEC while Notre Dame always plays an aggressive schedule as an independent. So why does Venables get the nod? Academics. Unless Notre Dame lowers their academic standards like the Lou Holtz days they will always be a step behind the elite teams. Oklahoma can recruit anyone nationally and Notre Dame simply can’t which means Freeman has to be that much better as a coach and I’m not sure he can overcome that disadvantage.
2. JJ McCarthy is QB3 in the NFL Draft.
Farrell’s take: FACT
I have Drake Maye as No. 1 and Caleb Williams as No. 2 and that’s the top two for everyone it seems. After that, it’s an interesting debate between McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders, Carson Beck, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, and others. For me it’s McCarthy because he plays in more of a pro-style offense, he’s mobile and instinctual in the pocket and he’s improved his accuracy tremendously. I’ve seen bad film on Sanders, Penix Jr., and Nix and I worry about Daniels’ frame and Carson Beck’s lack of experience. But even with poor moments against TCU, Bowling Green, and others McCarthy seems to learn from his mistakes a bit better and has fewer weaknesses. I like Penix Jr. and Nix as well but give me McCarthy as QB3.
3. Alabama is in the playoff if they win out.
Farrell’s take: FACT
I’m not sure why this is a question but apparently, it is. Alabama wins out that means they beat UGA in the SEC title game so what’s the debate? Yes, they are No. 8 right now in the college football playoff rankings but that doesn’t matter one bit. Even if we have undefeated champs in the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 it still means one more spot is available and Alabama would get in easily over one-loss teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and even Texas with a head-to-head loss. The SEC will never be left out of the playoff and that could be very bad news for the Longhorns.
