Fraud or For Real? Washington, Iowa, Georgia, Iowa State, Colorado
Unlike the NFL, perceptions matter in college football. The won-loss record is important, but the overall feel of a program impacts rankings, recruiting and coaching changes. We're here to look beyond the records and figure out who is for real - and who isn't - as the season progresses.
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FACT OR FICTION: Dabo Swinney's comments about FSU out of line
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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COLORADO
Farrell’s take: FRAUD. The Buffaloes are 2-0 and that’s great but they haven't beaten anyone. USC will expose them this weekend. They don’t have the defense to hang with USC if the Trojans are on.
Gorney’s take: FRAUD. I give a lot of credit to Colorado and new coach Karl Dorrell for beating UCLA and Stanford in his first two games. That has been impressive. However, where is Colorado elite? The running attack has been solid but if USC is wide awake and focused on getting to 4-0, I have to think the bevy of four- and five-star prospects for the Trojans will just overwhelm Colorado with too much talent all over the field.
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GEORGIA
Farrell’s take: FRAUD. We can evaluate Georgia again now that the Bulldogs actually have a quarterback in JT Daniels but, with so many pieces missing on defense, this is not a truly elite team. We saw that when they struggled against a short-handed Mississippi State team. Daniels will help and be fun but it’s too late. Georgia is ranked too high in the playoff rankings.
Gorney’s take: FOR REAL. Georgia is getting too much credit at No. 9 in the playoff rankings and the Bulldogs have looked lackluster in recent weeks. With so much talent all over the field, coach Kirby Smart continues to underwhelm, but Daniels is a phenomenal quarterback and the offense should be kicked into high gear in the coming weeks. Would Northwestern really beat Georgia if the two teams played? Come on. Georgia is really good with losses only to Alabama and Florida and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
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IOWA
Farrell’s take: FRAUD. Anyone notice that Iowa was No. 24 on the first college football playoff list? Why? The Hawkeyes have beaten some bad teams like Michigan State and Minnesota and lost to Purdue and Northwestern early. So they make the top 25 because they’ve won three-straight? Nah. I don’t like what I see this season.
Gorney’s take: FOR REAL. This Iowa team is a bounce here or there from being undefeated. Purdue scored with 2:15 left to beat the Hawkeyes and Northwestern had to come from 20-7 down to beat them as Iowa’s offense dried up in the second half. Since that time, Iowa’s offense is just overpowering defenses up front and posting big numbers and the defense has been good as well. I believe in the Hawkeyes for sure.
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IOWA STATE
Farrell’s take: FOR REAL. I like the balance of this team and I believe Matt Campbell is a terrific coach. Texas is looming and you simply assume the Longhorns will win because they are the bigger program but watch out for Iowa State to win the Big 12.
Gorney’s take: FOR REAL. Running back Breece Hall is the best in the Big 12 by far, Brock Purdy is a talented quarterback, there are options at receiver and tight end in the pass game and teams cannot run against the Cyclones. I like all of that and Campbell is a phenomenal coach who should be on the top of every coaching board. However, the schedule gets tough down the stretch playing Sam Ehlinger in his Texas home finale and then the Cyclones face a tough West Virginia team.
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WASHINGTON
Farrell’s take: FOR REAL. I know the Huskies haven’t beaten anyone and struggled with Oregon State but this team is 2-0 and there are things to like under Jimmy Lake. The defense has shown signs and the offense is underrated and could break out shortly. Are they better than Oregon? We will see.
Gorney’s take: FOR REAL. Is there an incomplete I can use here? I don’t know how much we’re going to learn about this Washington team until the Huskies play Oregon later in the season because the schedule is so short and the opponents have not exactly delivered yet this season. I don’t like that Washington’s offense has only thrown for two touchdowns in two games – and against weaker competition in Oregon State and Arizona. But the Huskies can run the ball, they can wear opponents out that way with numerous players – and the defense flies to the ball and makes plays. Washington could make it very interesting against the Ducks in a few weeks.