National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. USC needs a bowl win more than anyone else.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Short of the playoff teams, USC needs a win and a big one over Iowa. The Hawkeyes might not be the sexiest team, but they are a good opponent and will give the Trojans a lot of trouble. USC coach Clay Helton needs to send a message to recruits with a big victory and maybe, just maybe, he can start to turn a corner on recruiting.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I’m not sure a USC bowl victory is going to soothe any recruiting issues with the Trojans and that might not happen until Helton’s long-term future is clear. So I'm going with Michigan on this question here. The Wolverines seem to be stuck in neutral and another strong-but-underwhelming season has unfolded in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh has lost three straight bowl games and a win over Alabama – even without Tua Tagovailoa and some key players – could go a long way for this offseason.
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2. CeeDee Lamb is the best WR in the playoff.
Farrell’s take: FACT. There are some really talented wide receivers in the playoff including Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson to name a few. But Lamb is the man. And he has the ability to change the College Football Playoff by himself. I don’t think Oklahoma will beat LSU, but if it does, you can bet that Lamb had a huge game.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Ja’Marr Chase had a better season this year than Lamb and he did it in the SEC. I know the Big 12 Media Mafia loves to attack anyone who credits SEC football as some sort of slight toward Oklahoma, but the SEC is the most competitive league and Chase had more catches, yards and touchdowns this season than Lamb has had in any season. Still, Lamb is the best receiver in college football, he’s put up impressive numbers over the years and if Oklahoma can beat LSU in the playoff, it’s because Jalen Hurts is going to target Lamb over and over again.
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3. Clemson is recruiting the best of the playoff teams.
Farrell’s take: FACT. And this isn’t an easy one. LSU is recruiting lights out and Ohio State has the No 2 class in the country, but moving forward no one recruits better than Clemson. Why? Because the Tigers rarely miss on recruits and don’t have much drama in regards to de-commitments and such. Of all the playoff teams Clemson has the most national reach right now.
Gorney’s take: FACT. When this question was proposed, I was leaning toward 'fact', but then you start looking at the numbers and the recruiting classes and the players and I grew less certain. I’m still going with my first reaction because Clemson can go anywhere to get anybody and once those players are committed the rest is drama-free. LSU, Oklahoma and especially Ohio State can be really competitive in recruiting and have been for years, but Clemson is going to another stratosphere. My guess is that shows in the playoff as well with another Tigers' national title.
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