Fact or Fiction: Canes ACC title, USC playoff and Shough to show out

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 .

1. It’s ACC title or bust for Mario Cristobal.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

Let’s pump the brakes. Cristobal is 12-13 so far at Miami and fans are getting impatient as expected. And with the hype surrounding QB Cam Ward and Mario’s recruiting so far, people expect an ACC title. But I still think this team is a year away from ACC title contention and is a 8-4 or 9-3 team that falls short of Clemson, FSU and Louisville. While Cristobal has done a solid job reshaping this roster, which was really bad at QB, WR and along the OL, it’s still not ready for prime time yet.

2. USC is a playoff contender.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

Lincoln Riley needs a bounce back season. The defense will be improved a bit with new coaches but without Caleb Williams bailing this team out, how can we expect a playoff run? The Big Ten will be tougher, the schedule is rough with LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame and the adjustment to the physicality in the trenches in the Big Ten could be rough. Miller Moss won’t be bad and they have talent but a step backwards has to happen on offense. They could be 6-6 or 7-5 honestly.

3. Tyler Shough redemption is coming.

Farrell’s take: FACT

The Louisville quarterback has been around forever and has played at Oregon and Texas Tech. Remember in 2021 when he was actually considered a pre-season round one NFL Draft sleeper? Many don’t. As a 6-5, 225-pound kid with a live arm coming off some flashes at Oregon he had some buzz. That fizzled as he continues to get injured in college. He’s now the expected starter at Louisville with a faster and improved wide receiver group than last year’s surprising team. If he stays healthy, and that’s a big if, I think he could put up monster numbers and push Louisville to a playoff opportunity.