Fact or Fiction: Helton is out, Herbert a Heisman contender
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. Clay Helton is done at USC.
Farrell's take: FACT. It's over. It's just a matter of when it will happen. USC brings in a new athletic director this week and he has one job to do -- get Urban Meyer to USC. Anything less than that would be considered a failure by the fan base unless they can pry away someone like James Franklin. Right now the USC football program is a mess and what big-name coach would want to inherit this situation? We know Helton is gone because the players aren't playing for him anymore and he hasn't developed the talent needed to win. The Oregon game was clear evidence of that.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Helton is done and it’s only a matter of time until a national search is started. That national search will center on the dream of getting Meyer although I’m not sold yet that Meyer is ready to get back into coaching or will at this point (especially if the Notre Dame job could also be dangled his way). There is so much talent in California and if the new coach can close the borders, USC will become a national power again but players need toughness, discipline and the hype machine needs to slow down for them to find success.
2. Both Georgia and Florida were overrated
Farrell's take: FACT. This game was hard to watch and don't give me that SEC excuse that it was a hard-fought defensive struggle. The Florida offense looked horrible all game and was one dimensional and Georgia looked very average despite having so many five-stars on the offensive side of the ball. I have a feeling either team would get waxed by Alabama, Clemson or Ohio State and I wasn't overly impressed with Georgia especially despite the win.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I’m almost on the edge of agreeing with Farrell here, but I’m still going to give Georgia the benefit of the doubt here because they’re winning - and that’s all that matters. It could be ugly and there are definitely issues with explosive plays and scoring points, but Georgia is winning games and I’m giving them credit for that. If the Bulldogs win out and go to the SEC Championship, my guess is it would be brutal against either Alabama or LSU, but at this point I think they’re a top-six team.
3. Justin Herbert should be in the Heisman discussion.
Farrell's take: FACT. Look at the numbers -- he's completing nearly 70% of his passes and has 24 touchdown passes against only two interceptions. Oregon is making a push at the playoff and his numbers are off the charts.
The problem? Joe Burrow's numbers are off the charts. Same for Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields. And Jalen Hurts isn't too shabby either, especially when you factor in his rushing stats. But any Heisman list that doesn't have Herbert at least No. 4 or No. 5 is a joke. It's an amazing year at quarterback and he could just be warming up.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I don’t get why Herbert is not more in the Heisman discussion, especially since Oregon is ranked seventh nationally and the Ducks are coming off a blowout win over USC this past weekend.
Let’s be honest: It’s probably because of Pac-12 bias or because that conference isn’t perceived as elite as others. But Herbert has more passing touchdowns than Hurts, just as Fields and three fewer thanTagovailoa (although Herbert has more passing yards. Herbert should definitely be invited to New York and with games against Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon State left, the Ducks could be scoring a lot in the coming weeks.