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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FACT OR FICTION: Urban Meyer will take the Texas job
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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1. The Gators’ lack of running game will be their downfall.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Alabama is the more balanced football team by far and can wear down the Florida defense with the running game while the Gators just can’t get things going up front. It’s going to really impact Florida in the SEC title game and could have the Gators coming from behind the entire game. The passing offense is solid but not enough to carry this team.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Kyle Trask is so good and coach Dan Mullen is so creative that the Gators will be just fine although I don’t think they have enough talent to beat Alabama. Still, Florida has the best chance to beat the Crimson Tide because Florida has three legitimate threats in the passing game, the scheme is really tough to stop when Mullen gets it going and Trask is just outstanding. Keeping that pressure on Alabama’s defense is not something the Crimson Tide have seen much this season other than Ole Miss, which scored 48 on them, and Florida’s defense is far superior to the Rebels’ D.
2. Bijan Robinson will lead the Big 12 in all-purpose yards next season.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Maybe I’m overreacting to his amazing game against a weak Kansas State team but this is the five-star we saw in high school. He's going to be hard to stop if he's utilized properly. Bijan Robinson ran only nine times for 172 yards and three scores, and also caught three passes for 51 yards. He’s going to be the Big 12's breakout star next season.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Robinson is heating up in the tail end of the season and this was the type of player I expected when we made him a five-star last recruiting cycle. He had a strong showing against what we thought was a good West Virginia defense (the Mountaineers got crushed by a not-so-potent Iowa State offense this weekend), then tried to find his spots against the Cyclones and completely broke out against Kansas State. Keep feeding Robinson in the ball and get him in space and let him catch passes. He’s great at it all. The only question is will Robinson be coached by Urban Meyer next season in his pursuit to lead the conference in all-purpose yards?
3. Harrison Bailey gives the Vols hope.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Harrison Bailey looked OK at times in the Vols' loss to Florida and he’s a talented player, but watching this Tennessee offense is so difficult. The offensive line is arguably the most overrated group heading into the season and the skill players lack explosion. I fear that Bailey could be wasted without the components around him to be successful.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Bailey gives them hope - now what will the Vols give him? Tennessee poses almost no threat on the offensive side of the ball, their top running back leads the team in catches and name one player that opponents fear. The Vols average 20 points per game - and they haven’t scored that many points since early October. Six-straight losses, all by double digits. Bailey is a talented kid and so he’s probably the best option long term but if the offensive line is not great and defenses don’t sweat the passing attack then Bailey can only do so much. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney makes way too much money to not get this figured out.
