Fact or Fiction: Will Jim Harbaugh ever win a Big Ten title?
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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It’s clear that Jim Harbaugh won’t win the Big Ten at Michigan.
Farrell’s take: FACT. OK, maybe I’m overreacting to a September road loss against a tough opponent, but the Michigan team I saw play against Wisconsin was a complete disappointment. Quarterback Shea Patterson has not been developed, the offensive line is bad and the defense lost too much talent from last year. I don’t think Harbaugh lasts long enough to win the Big Ten because if he continues to fail, he’ll jump to the NFL or Michigan will just get rid of him. And the Wolverines are far from Ohio State, very far, when it comes to talent.
Gorney’s take: FACT. What I saw from Michigan on Saturday was shockingly bad - and that comes on the heels of the team looking terrible against Army. The offense is so pedestrian, there are no playmakers at the skill positions, Patterson looks uncomfortable and unsure of himself, the offensive line has gotten no development and that’s just one side of the football. Ohio State and Penn State are better in the East, maybe even Michigan State, and Maryland is a tricky team. Wisconsin just housed Michigan and then Iowa and Nebraska would give the Wolverines a game. Right now, they’re an average football team not even close to a conference title.
Texas can beat Oklahoma.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. It’s a little early for this one and we’ll probably address it again soon, but right now I don’t see it. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t impressed with the win over Oklahoma State, but Texas is a year or two away from having the same level of talent on offense to match Oklahoma score for score. The Longhorns need a few more dangerous weapons at wide receiver and running back and need to rely less on Sam Ehlinger. Oklahoma appears to be more balanced.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Texas battled LSU to the end a few weeks ago and the Tigers could be among the best three or four teams in the country. This past weekend they hung on to beat Oklahoma State, which is another overlooked team with outstanding skill players. So far, Oklahoma has played three cupcakes in Houston, South Dakota and UCLA. The Sooners have looked unstoppable while Texas has been challenged and looked good. Oklahoma might be the better team, but the Red River Showdown is almost always close and the Longhorns have the talent to win it.
Justin Fields will win a Heisman before Trevor Lawrence.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. It’s an interesting topic because Justin Fields was No. 2 to Trevor Lawrence’s No. 1 in the class of 2018 and Fields is putting up monster numbers in the Ohio State offense. I don’t think either wins the Heisman as Tua Tagovailoa will run away with it this year. Fields could win it a year from now as it appears Lawrence won’t be able to stuff the stat sheet the way he needs to in order to win. I just have a feeling these guys could go 1-2 in the NFL Draft but neither wins a Heisman.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. At this pace, I don’t think Lawrence is invited to the Heisman ceremony because he has seven touchdowns and five interceptions, although I still believe he will be the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick when he leaves Clemson after next season. But I’m with Farrell here - Tagovailoa’s numbers are insane so far this year and those stats should continue because he has the best receiving corps in the country.
The only thing that can slow him down from being the front-runner is if LSU or somebody else beats ‘Bama. Fields is having an awesome season, LSU QB Joe Burrow and Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts will be in the conversation too but I don’t think Fields wins it, and definitely not Lawrence if he keeps playing this way.