Fact or Fiction: ACC's Best Back, Missouri Runs it Back, Day Needed Howard

By Cole Kruger

In today’s Fact or Fiction I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

RB Lawrance Toafili will be the best running back in the ACC

My Take: FACT

The Seminoles are coming off of one of their best seasons in program history but lost plenty of talent, including RB Trey Benson. His backup from last season, Lawrance Toafili, finally has his chance to show what he can do with a season of full production. Toafili is a shifty runner who showed flashes last season of his potential, including running for 118 yards and a touchdown in that boring ACC Championship against Louisville.

With Florida State presumably being a run-heavy offense this season, Toafili is primed for the best season of his college career and will help lead FSU to another big year in the ACC. Can he be better than ACC backs Jaydn Ott (Cal), Omarian Hampton (UNC), and others? I think he can.

Missouri will repeat its production from a year ago

My Take: FICTION

Missouri surprised the nation last year, finishing 11-2 and beating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Saying it will take a lot to repeat that would be an understatement. Eli Drinkwitz has done a great job building this program in the last few years, but the Tigers are in for major disappointment this year. In a loaded SEC, I can’t see this team competing with the big boys of the conference. Losing RB Cody Shrader was a major loss, not only for the team but for QB Brady Cook , who could struggle immensely without a good running game.

3. Will Howard is the QB Ryan Day needed

My Take: FACT

After Michigan won it all last year, Ryan Day is in a pressure cooker. He went straight to the portal to address some needs, including bringing in DB Caleb Downs , RB Quinshon Judkins , and finally, QB Will Howard . Howard was great at Kansas State in 2022 but didn’t repeat that production in 2023. A new change of scenery is just what Howard needed, and Day needed a change after Kyle McCord didn’t live up to expectations this year.

Under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and a weak schedule, Howard can finally lead Ohio State back to a B1G championship. With a loaded, new-look offense, and The Game being played at the Horseshoe, Howard and the Buckeyes will do great things in 2024.