In today’s Fact or Fiction, national columnist Mike Farrell looks at three big recent topics in college football and decides whether each statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
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1. Arik Gilbert will play this season for Georgia.
FACT. Just last week I asked if Arik Gilbert would surpass 1,000 yards receiving as a wide receiver at Georgia (my answer was no) and just a few days later I’m wondering if he’s even going to play. Gilbert, who has had a slew of off-field issues since leaving LSU at the end of last season, was booted from practice this weekend by Kirby Smart.
According to sources Gilbert had words with Smart about a lack of promised reps at wide receiver and was working out as a tight end more than anything. He’ll be gone for a week it seems but he will play this year in my opinion and hopefully learn from the minor suspension. Smart is in charge, bottom line. But Gilbert is too talented to sit.
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2. The Pac-12, Big Ten, ACC alliance will combat SEC expansion.
FACT. I like this idea. The SEC will easily remain the top conference in the country with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma but how about games between Clemson and USC or Ohio State and Miami? It just brings more interesting matchups to the table and will bring additional leverage in TV negotiations for all three conferences if it happens. And better matchups are better for college football.
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3. Jack Coan will lead Notre Dame to 10 wins.
FICTION. Jack Coan, the Wisconsin transfer, has been named the starter at Notre Dame but he’s Ian Book light to me. He’s a game manager and not as mobile as Book so I don’t see Notre Dame winning 10 games even with a big-time offensive line and rushing attack. Last season was impressive for the Irish and stringing together back-to-back seasons like that without a true difference maker at QB is difficult.
