We know that all that glitters is not gold – sometimes, it’s just a flash in the pan. I’ll take a look at some of the biggest situations in college football and determine if what’s going on is FOR REAL or if it’s FOOLS GOLD.
Sam Hartman’s spring game success
FOR REAL
I think Hartman is a great fit for Notre Dame as an experienced kid who makes quick decisions and has accuracy. Notre Dame lacks explosion at wide receiver, but so did Wake Forest. Hartman and his receivers like AT Perry and Jaquarii Roberson relied more on timing than speed. Hartman can throw guys open and is excellent at leading his receivers, and his ability to allow them YAC will be key for Notre Dame.
Rocket Sanders’ 2022 success
FOR REAL
The Arkansas running back went from 578 yards in 2021 to 1,443 in 2022, and it’s no fluke. He’s not only a hard runner who breaks tackles but can live up to his nickname with elite speed. He had less than 70 yards total in his last two games, so 1,500 next year is doable, and he’s in a battle with Quinshon Judkins as the SEC’s best back.
Illinois stingy defense
FOOLS GOLD
I loved the Illinois defense last season, and they gave up the fewest points per game in college football. But they are losing so many key components it won’t happen again. They lose all four starters in the defensive backfield, led by first rounder Devon Witherspoon, so the back end will be down a bit. And can we really expect Northwestern, Iowa, and Wisconsin to be as bad as they were offensively last season? Illinois held them to 3,6, and 10 points respectively, last season, and that’s unlikely this year.
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