Fact or Fiction: Clemson is in trouble without Trevor Lawrence
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. Clemson is in trouble against Notre Dame without Trevor Lawrence.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. D.J. Uiagalelei looked good against Boston College and while he’s a step down from Trevor Lawrence at this point, Clemson will be just fine with him running the show. I still feel like the Tigers will beat Notre Dame, although it won’t be the beat down I expected before the season started. But the talent level at Clemson is still so high and the weaknesses, the secondary mainly, can’t be exploited by Notre Dame with its poor passing game. Clemson by 10.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Last week, Clemson went up against a determined and well-coached Boston College team looking for the upset and the Eagles almost got it. I was not surprised by how well Uiagalelei played since he was a former five-star and upon further review, Boston College had only 275 total yards and just 67 rushing yards with one touchdown coming on a freak 97-yard fumble return.
Clemson clearly was looking past BC and ahead to Notre Dame. And that’s why the Irish are in trouble. Clemson has better players and the team is focused to put a hurting on the Irish in South Bend. Notre Dame is a quality team, the Irish could definitely win the game, but they’re outmatched in this one.
2. Wisconsin is now eliminated from any college football playoff talk.
Farrell’s take: FACT. With a second game cancelled, the Badgers should not be allowed a chance to compete for the Big Ten title and the playoff. That may sound harsh, but they won’t have the body of work to truly beat out other teams playing more games. And yes, I don’t think any Pac-12 team should be eligible either as I anticipate your next question. I blame the Big Ten for delaying so long that there’s no wiggle room to postpone games and everything has to be cancelled at this stage. It’s not Wisconsin's fault, but Big Ten puppet master Barry Alvarez is paying for his push to delay the season.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I understand Farrell’s rationale but if Wisconsin can return and beat Michigan, Northwestern, Minnesota, Indiana and Iowa and then somehow take down Ohio State - presuming the Buckeyes made it to the Big Ten Championship Game - then there’s no way someone can keep them out of the playoff. I doubt that happens, but it’s possible with Graham Mertz at quarterback. If one more game is cancelled, though, it’s officially lights out for Wisconsin but if the Badgers go undefeated - and beat Ohio State in the conference title game - they’re in.
3. Mac Jones could be playing the Jake Fromm role at Alabama and Bryce Young is Justin Fields.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. This is interesting, no? Jake Fromm played over Justin Fields at Georgia, which resulted in Fields transferring to Ohio State. Now Georgia has no answer at quarterback. Mac Jones is playing much better than Fromm did but will Bryce Young want to wait it out? Of course he will.
The difference? Fromm had another year left to come back which helped push Fields out of the nest while Jones is in his final season (or so we think). Young will wait and be the man next season.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. There have been quarterbacks who transferred and found success and quarterbacks who have remained patient and found success - and Young won’t have to be either one. Young is just in his first season at Alabama, so he has to wait his turn and the good news is that Jones is having such a phenomenal season he’s playing himself possibly into the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Young is definitely the next man up at Alabama and he should be phenomenal because he’s so savvy and plays with such poise. He’s exactly what Nick Saban is looking for in a leader at quarterback. I don’t see a transfer.