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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1. Najee Harris got snubbed and should have been a Heisman finalist.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I was making a case for each Heisman finalist and I realized that there’s no way I can justify Harris being the third-best player on the Alabama team. I agree that Devonta Smith should be there, but Harris should be a finalist over Mac Jones. Harris is third in the nation with 1,252 yards and has 32 receptions for 316 yards. And his 27 total touchdowns is ridiculous. Without Harris, the Tide doesn’t dominate the way they have.
Gorney’s take: FACT. The only Power Five running back with more rushing yards than Harris is Iowa State’s Breece Hall, but he did it on 31 more carries. And no running back in college football has more touchdowns than Harris, who has five more than Hall and North Carolina’s Javonte Williams. The former five-star should absolutely be a Heisman finalist and I have no problem having three players from Alabama because that team might just be that good.
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2. Sherrod Covil will pick UNC in the end.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The 2022 defensive back has talked highly of a few schools, including Notre Dame, but I just get the feeling UNC cornerbacks coach Dre Bly will get his man from Virginia, like he did with Tony Grimes. It’s early, but UNC is a hot commodity in Virginia for 2022 and this is my early prediction.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. North Carolina could definitely land Covil, as he’s already visited and has talked highly of the Tar Heels. Plus, coach Mack Brown and that staff have been recruiting well. But I get the sense that Covil likes Notre Dame a lot. The Irish have definitely dipped into Virginia for some key players. This could be a North Carolina/Notre Dame battle right now and I give the Irish a slight edge.
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3. Florida will upset Oklahoma.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Without Kyle Pitts and others, the passing game for Florida will struggle and we know the Gators don’t run the ball effectively, so I have the Sooners winning this one Wednesday night by double digits. It could still be a shootout, but with so many weapons out, the Gators won’t be able to keep up.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. If Florida had Pitts, Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland, I’d pick the Gators to win the game. But all those offensive weapons have either opted out or are sidelined because of COVID-19 protocols, so I have to think Oklahoma wins this game. The Sooners are playing well, and even though I like Dan Mullen a lot, Florida is missing too many pieces. Oklahoma by 10.
