Fact or Fiction: Dabo Swinney's comments about FSU out of line
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. Dabo Swinney was out of line with his comments regarding the Florida State game.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Dabo went in on FSU pretty hard over the last few days essentially saying the Noles canceled the game against Clemson for reasons that had nothing to do with COVID-19. And I’m fine with that? Why? Because this is still America and you are allowed to speak your opinion the last time I checked. Yes, we want player safety and of course the pandemic is real, but Swinney and his team and many parents made the trip to Tallahassee with full intention to play the game. And I’m not sure if Florida State wanted to play it as badly. So let Dabo rant, it’s his right.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. This is a delicate situation because the player in question that caused the uproar did have at least flu-like symptoms during the week, practiced and then took a COVID-19 test Friday morning, then flew to Tallahassee before finding out the results of which the test was positive. So essentially a COVID-19 positive player was on the team flight from Clemson to Tallahassee which essentially would be concerning. In hindsight, keeping a player home that was showing illness during the week and didn’t have a coronavirus result yet would have been the most prudent move. But Florida State might have canceled the game anyway since that player was around his teammates during the week. This feels like FSU didn’t really want to take any steps to assist Clemson in getting the game played. Swinney said it. And I welcome candid discussion back and forth. Swinney has every right to express his displeasure and Mike Norvell has every right to give it back, especially if he genuinely feels his team was at higher risk.
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2. Florida is better than Texas A&M.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. This is a tough question because Florida beat Georgia and has looked like a different team for the most part since the loss at Texas A&M. But let’s remember this — the Aggies haven’t looked shabby either and they did win the head-to-head battle. Right now anyone putting Florida ahead of A&M in any poll is ignoring the game played on the field. If the Aggies had two losses I’d understand, but each team has lost one and A&M holds the head to head. End of story.
Gorney’s take: FACT. This might seem like warped logic since Texas A&M beat Florida but let’s remember the Gators didn’t trail in that game until the fourth quarter, then regained the lead and then the Aggies mounted a late comeback to tie it and win on a field goal. And since that time, Florida has played phenomenal football and blown out everybody, although the competition hasn’t been great except for Georgia. I don’t think Florida loses by 28 to Alabama in the SEC title game, as the Aggies did. And if Florida plays Texas A&M 10 times, the Gators win more than they lose.
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3. Nyland Green will choose Georgia.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The talented defensive back from Georgia is still expected to make a decision in late November or early December and UGA is trying to fend off Clemson, Auburn and Tennessee. And I think they will. Green has been quiet and rumors are all over the map about where he’s leaning but in the end I’m going to do what I’ve done with players like Amarius Mims. Bet on the home team. UGA lands him.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Tennessee seems pretty confident when it comes to Green but my guess is that Clemson has the slight edge although I’m never going to count out Georgia since it recruits so well, too. Still, it feels like the Covington (Ga.) Newton four-star cornerback might be looking to leave the state and if he wanted to pick the Bulldogs, he should have done it already. However, when it comes to Green’s recruitment, anything can happen. I still think he leaves Georgia instead of picking UGA.