Fact or Fiction: Greg Schiano would have been a better hire for Vols
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. Greg Schiano would have been a better hire for the Vols.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I know what Greg Schiano is doing at Rutgers is impressive and I think that’s a great fit for him but the Tennessee job would swallow him up like Tampa Bay did in the NFL. The expectations at Tennessee are hard, the SEC is tougher than the Big East was during his peak with the Scarlet Knights. I think he would do just as poorly as Jeremy Pruitt is doing right now. Schiano was not your answer Vols fans.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Schiano is a perfect fit at Rutgers with his style, his ability to recruit the area and his previous stop there when he made the Scarlet Knights nationally relevant. I get that Schiano and Rutgers make a lot of sense. But good coaches are good coaches and Schiano is one who knows how to turn around moribund programs and make them tough again - tough-minded and tough to beat. After starting with wins over South Carolina and Missouri, the Vols have lost five-straight games by double digits. They lost to Georgia State and BYU to start the season last year. Tennessee hasn’t scored 20 points in four-straight games as the offense is so stale and bland. How could Schiano not have been a better hire?
2. Joe Milton starting over Cade McNamara is another indictment of Jim Harbaugh.
Farrell’s take: FACT. How can an offensive coach and a QB “guru” possibly stick with Joe Milton out of training camp and this far into the season when it’s clear that Cade McNamara is the better quarterback in almost every way? Yes it’s one game but the offense came alive under McNamara and this is yet another example of Jim Harbaugh just not making the right choice for Michigan.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I understand why Harbaugh went with Milton to start the season since he is such a physical presence and he’s waited his turn. But it’s also clear that McNamara is just the better quarterback who handles the offense better, moves it better and delivers the ball to Michigan’s receivers more consistently. But Michigan’s problems continue to be defense. Giving up 35 in regulation to Rutgers is another embarrassment. Michigan might be able to outscore some opponents coming up for some wins with McNamara now at quarterback but the defense has been atrocious and that’s also on Harbaugh, Don Brown and the players.
3. Clemson would have dominated Florida State.
Farrell’s take: FACT. This was my lock of the week and Clemson was favored by five touchdowns. I saw a 66-3 drubbing coming that could have marked the lowest moment in Florida State history. But with the ‘Noles cancelling the game we won’t know because I doubt the makeup game happens. Florida State wants no part of Clemson this season and I feel that COVID-19 is a good excuse. Even many diehard fans of FSU feel the same. Losing so badly would hurt more than not playing the game.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Let’s just say this: Florida State lost by 16 to NC State, the Seminoles lost 41-17 to Pitt (not exactly an offensive juggernaut) and lost 48-16 to Louisville, not exactly a great football team right now. What did we expect Saturday if Clemson came to Tallahassee with Trevor Lawrence coming back off COVID-19 protocols? An absolute butt whoopin’. The Tigers need to recruit the state of Florida, they need to keep making it clear they’re the cream of the ACC and that Florida State is far, far away from ascending the conference rankings again. It would have been another disaster for Florida State because that team is not very good at all right now across the board.