Fact or Fiction: Will the Dawgs Show Up, SMU's Deserved Bowl, Load Management in CFB

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. UGA will care more about the Orange Bowl.

Farrell’s take: FACT

This is a tough call. Will UGA be more into this game after losing their spot in the playoff and not being allowed to threepeat, or will Florida State be more motivated after being snubbed by the playoff committee after an undefeated season? My guess is that UGA will be more motivated for a couple of reasons. First, no one prepares a team better by using alleged disrespect than Kirby Smart, and secondly, they will not want to lose to an ACC team snubbed and without their star QB. Florida State will be motivated, but this snub is so hurtful and impactful that I think they fold when hit in the mouth the first few times.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart on the sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Missouri in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

2. SMU should be the NY6 representative from the Group of Five.

Farrell’s take: FACT

So Liberty gets rewarded for winning all their games against cupcakes while punishing Florida State for their undefeated season? Okay. SMU played two Power Five programs out of conference this season, and because they lost both (in competitive games), they got bounced to a meaningless bowl against Boston College. Rhett Lashlee and SMU deserved better as Liberty’s best win was who? New Mexico State? Heck, SMU beat a top-15 team in Tulane. Make it make sense.

Oct 22, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee stands on the sidelines during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

3. Load management is coming in college football.

Farrell’s take: FACT

So we have come to learn that the Florida State playoff chances ended the moment Jordan Travis injured his leg in a meaningless game against North Alabama in mid-November, and now coaches will have all sorts of decisions to make. Will players be yanked earlier in blowouts? Will we see coaches sit out key players for entire games? Yes and yes. And it’s horrible for college football. The expanded playoff was supposed to help with players opting out to prepare for the NFL, but the message to Florida State counteracts this. Essentially don’t risk superstars in games that don’t matter, and rest everyone out of fear of losing a playoff spot. It’s coming: load management in college football. You’ll see.