Fact or Fiction: Oklahoma will never break through in 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.
MIND OF MIKE: UA All-America Game Media Day thoughts
1. Trevor Lawrence proved to be the better quarterback against Ohio State.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Everyone knows how much I like Trevor Lawrence and how I think he’s a better quarterback than Justin Fields, but there was no real difference between the two in the great game between Clemson and Ohio State. Fields was on point all night and the last interception was not his fault. Both quarterbacks played excellent and lived up to the hype. Yes, Lawrence had the winning drive and that’s not unexpected, but both deserve props.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I’m going to agree with Farrell here that even though Lawrence got the win with a gutsy second-half performance, both Lawrence and Fields were outstanding all night and more than backed up their ranking as the top-two players in the 2018 class. Fields probably wasn’t 100 percent, either, which makes his showing even better. Lawrence and Fields are superstars and it’s going to be fun to watch them in the coming years.
2. Joe Burrow would be drafted ahead of Fields and Lawrence in any year.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Lawrence would go first this year, last year, next year and any year. Joe Burrow is good and has been exceptional this year and he has a good shot at being a good NFL quarterback, but he’s not in the Lawrence or Fields discussion. I worry about guys who had one year of college success (Mitch Trubisky, anyone?) and would rather have the younger guys.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Well, this is at least partially true. My guess is that NFL teams would take Lawrence over anybody - he’s that special - but Burrow had a transcendent year and he’s gotten this reputation as a nearly can’t-miss quarterback. That hype is growing more and more every time he goes out and delivers insane performances like he did Saturday night against Oklahoma. Burrow would get taken before Fields, but I don’t think ahead of Lawrence.
3. Sooners will never break through in college football playoffs.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. They haven’t been overly competitive in their four semifinal losses because of their lack of defense (giving up 49.8 points per game), but the Sooners will win a national title soon enough if they can add some defensive impact players. The Sooners are by far the best team in the Big 12 so they will always be in the mix and eventually break through.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Baylor is an interesting emerging team in that conference and could have beaten Oklahoma twice this season, but with Texas stuck in mediocrity, the Sooners should have an opportunity every season to make the playoff, especially if it’s expanded to eight teams. Saturday’s blowout loss was more an indication of LSU maybe being an unstoppable force this season and not Oklahoma’s ability. I still think the Sooners are coached by some of the best in the business, they have young playmakers all over the offense and if the defense can keep improving, a national title is not far off.