Fact or Fiction: Florida impressed in win over Virginia
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. Florida impressed in its win over Virginia.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I wasn’t that impressed. Yes, the Gators won the game and they showed a running attack for once, but Virginia was so banged up on defense this should have been a blowout. Virginia was a 14-point underdog and it looked like the Cavaliers were going to get destroyed but they kept hanging in. The Gators had a good year, but I expected more in this game.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Florida should have blown Virginia out, not to the level that Clemson did, but it should have been a comfortable Gators victory. It was not. The Cavaliers hung tough, they’re well-coached and what was most surprising was that the ACC team threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns against Florida. Bowl games are always tricky and Florida won the game, but it could have been a better performance.
2. Louisville made the best turnaround in the ACC.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Scott Saterfield has done an amazing job culminating in a win over Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl. No one expected Louisville to have an eight-win season after last year’s debacle and to improve from two wins to eight in just one year is the talk of the ACC. Louisville made a very good hire.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. No way it’s Louisville. It's North Carolina by a mile as the Tar Heels were 2-9 last season and in coach Mack Brown’s first year he improved the team to 7-6. While that’s not an impressive final record, Brown is definitely building something special in Chapel Hill and this is what impresses me most: North Carolina did not lose a game by more than seven points this season. A blowout win over Temple to finish the season gives the program big momentum heading into next year.
3. Georgia vs Baylor is the best bowl game on Jan 1.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Georgia is depleted so much it will be fun to see the younger Dawgs get a chance to shine at many positions, and Baylor is always fun to watch. But give me Oregon against Wisconsin, which should be an awesome battle. The power running attack of Wisconsin, led by Jonathan Taylor, and the passing offense of Oregon, led by Justin Herbert, should be great to watch. The contrast in playing styles has me very intrigued.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. It’s Michigan-Alabama for me. There are a lot of questions that remain about the Wolverines, especially after getting thrashed by Ohio State again. This could be an opportunity for coach Jim Harbaugh to win a big game and that could carry over well into the offseason. On the other side, Alabama is out of the College Football Playoff and it will be interesting to see if the Tide come out flat or if Nick Saban has this team prepared. If the Crimson Tide players are awake, they should win easily.