Fact or Fiction: Loss of Ewers will seal fate of Herman at Texas
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
*****
MORE FACT OR FICTION: The Big Ten is unfairly targeting Nebraska
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
*****
1. Quinn Ewers decommitment seals the fate of Tom Herman at Texas.
Farrell’s take: FACT. This is it, the true beginning of the end for Tom Herman, who should have three losses this season and now has lost his marquee recruit. Remember, Jalen Milroe flipped to Alabama because Quinn Ewers committed and now the quarterback situation looks a lot less attractive. I don’t see a way Herman lasts beyond this season.
Gorney's take: FICTION. I will admit none of this looks good and Ewers' de-commitment could be the final straw for Herman, but I'm not giving up on him yet. There was a very real possibility that the Longhorns could be undefeated right now and although that's not the case, a win over Oklahoma State this weekend would be huge for Herman's future. Let's be honest: Texas has had one 10-win season over the last decade and it was two years ago under Herman. During that stretch, the Longhorns have had four losing seasons, none under Herman. If people expected Herman to come into Austin and immediately turn Texas back into a nationally-relevant title contender, that is not based in reality. I don't think Herman has done a great job in many areas but he's been far, far better than Charlie Strong.
STING FACTOR: Five-star 2022 QB Quinn Ewers decommits from Texas
*****
2. Sage Ryan will land at Alabama.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I’m just guessing here because Sage Ryan could choose Alabama or LSU this weekend but my sources tell me there is one strong force pushing for Alabama and ton of local forces pushing for LSU. This could go like Landon Collins when he chose Alabama but right now I’m sticking with LSU despite many predictions to the contrary.
Gorney's take: FACT. I've been told that Ryan is "Alabama's to lose" and I believe it since the four-star DB has talked highly of the Crimson Tide, especially over the last few months, and Alabama has definitely made him a top priority in this class. I know that LSU almost always gets the top players in its state and right at commitment time it's tough to turn down the Tigers. But Ryan is making his announcement on Nick Saban's birthday and that might be playing a factor as well. I like Alabama but wouldn't be completely stunned if it was LSU.
*****
3. The Miami Hurricanes have been forgotten.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Remember Miami? Before the Clemson loss, it was one of the early talks of the season, but since that loss no one seems to care. But yet the Hurricanes are 5-1 and on the cusp of the top 10. Notre Dame gets all the attention as the team that could challenge Clemson, but let’s get this clear. No one can challenge Clemson and once it dismantles Notre Dame, we will start paying more attention to Miami again.
Remember, a one-loss team is likely getting in the playoff this year and the ‘Canes still have a chance. They’d have to play Clemson again to make it but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Miami is sleepwalking through the middle of its schedule here with unimpressive wins over Pitt and Virginia in recent weeks. But the Hurricanes are still arguably the second-best team in the ACC and could get another shot at Clemson in the conference title game.
The Canes are also not being forgotten in recruiting as they are the only team in the conference with a five-star commitment and they’re second behind only Clemson in the ACC rankings. Things are really looking up there by all measures.