Fact or Fiction: LSU should be the No. 1 seed in CFB Playoff
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
ASK FARRELL: Can Mike Norvell bring Florida State back?
1. LSU should be the No 1 seed in the playoff.
Farrell’s take: FACT. LSU took down No. 4 Georgia in impressive fashion and the Tigers have beaten better teams than Ohio State has this season. The Buckeyes' struggle with Wisconsin was enough for me to believe they are No. 2 in the country behind LSU. I understand that Ohio State has beaten more AP Top 25 teams by a greater margin than LSU, but the Tigers' wins over teams such as Alabama, Auburn and now Georgia impress me more. And let’s not forget they beat a very tough Florida team as well. The Big Ten has been good this year, but the SEC path has been tougher for LSU.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I have no problem with putting LSU in the top spot and Saturday did little to convince me of that. LSU was playing a MASH unit Georgia team where Jake Fromm had an ankle injury, D’Andre Swift had a shoulder problem, the receiving corps was decimated, it was a mess. LSU has arguably the best quarterback in the country and the best receiving corps, a great running back, a massive offensive line and now a healthy defense. Getting through the SEC schedule is a monster, the Tigers did it without losing and they deserve to be No. 1.
2. Clemson is being disrespected.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I have Clemson winning it all so it might seem odd for me to say fiction here, but the Tigers haven't played a killer schedule and being ranked No. 3 headed into the playoff isn’t disrespect. It’s just the way it is. And it’s not Clemson’s fault that the ACC stinks, but all this talk of disrespect is about Dabo Swinney motivating his team. And it’s going to work. Just watch.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I’m in the camp that Clemson has not played a tough schedule. OK, that’s fine. But the Tigers are clearly either the best or second-best team in the country and putting them third in the College Football Playoff is disrespectful especially after blowing almost every single team out this season and being the reigning champs. Trevor Lawrence is arguably the best QB in college football, Tee Higgins and Travis Etienne are pros and this remains a hungry football team. Swinney is playing the disrespect card to keep his team motivated through a snoozefest schedule, but the Tigers do deserve better.
3. Lane Kiffin will close on McKinnley Jackson.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The first priority for the new Ole Miss coach should be in state defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who is also being recruited by Alabama, LSU and others. Can Lane Kiffin land him? He can and he will. Jackson won’t be the first commit for Kiffin but he will probably be the biggest in 2020.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Jackson is going to have to turn down LSU, Alabama and others, but my guess is that he ends up at Ole Miss and it could be a huge recruiting coup for Kiffin and his staff. Kiffin is no dummy - he knows how important in-state recruiting will be for the Rebels and Jackson is the state’s best player. Jackson has shown signs that he wants to stay closer to home and Kiffin will get him in this recruiting class.