Fact or Fiction: LSU injuries will spell doom for Ed Orgeron
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. LSU injuries will spell doom for Ed Orgeron.
Farrell’s take: FACT. After earlier stating that Ed Orgeron wasn't on the hot seat, I’m leaning in the opposite direction now. I don’t think Orgeron survives at LSU to coach next season. Why? Players are dropping like flies because of injuries, and I can’t help but feel it’s a reflection of the state of the program.
Derek Stingley Jr. is out, and now Elias Ricks and Ali Gaye are out for the season on defense. This follows wide receiver Kayshon Boutte going down for the season this weekend. This team is going to be breaking in new starters and young players down the stretch, just like it did last year, and it won’t lead to much success on the field.
The injuries are not Orgeron’s fault, but could they be a sign that players are calling it a season at the halfway point?
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2. Kentucky beats Georgia this weekend.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While I think Kentucky should be closer to a two-touchdown underdog than the 21.5 points it is getting this weekend from Georgia, I am still picking the Bulldogs to win this one. But it will be closer than many think. Why? Because Kentucky has a very good offensive line and it can work the clock and I’m not sure how explosive the UGA offense is.
If Kentucky can keep the UGA defense on the field longer than usual the Wildcats can keep it close, but the Dawgs will win by 10.
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3. A top 10 team falls this weekend.
Farrell’s take: FACT. This doesn’t sound like I’m going out on a limb, but consider that Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan aren’t playing and most of the top 10 are double-digit favorites.
My biggest upset candidates: Oklahoma (TCU), Cincinnati (UCF) and Michigan State (at Indiana).
Just keep an eye on this weekend because one of the seven teams in the top 10 playing this weekend will go down.