Fast or Fiction: Cam Ward is the early Heisman favorite, Oregon is in trouble, Travis Hunter, and what to make of Dabo
Week one of college football has officially wrapped up. It was a fast and exciting group of games over the last several days, setting to stage for a very entertaining 2024 season. With that excitement, some storylines have already begun to surface. Some of them have a lot of validity, while others are a bit […]
Week one of college football has officially wrapped up. It was a fast and exciting group of games over the last several days, setting to stage for a very entertaining 2024 season. With that excitement, some storylines have already begun to surface.
Some of them have a lot of validity, while others are a bit too impulsive and hyperbolic. Let’s poke some holes in some of the top storylines so far with a little “fact or fiction.” It’s time to uncover the truth.
It’s time to hit the panic button on Oregon and Ohio State
There’s no tradition quite like people overreacting from one week of football games. In some cases, it’s completely unwarranted but there are some occasions where there are early signs of faults, and warning signs. The two teams people are going to focus on are Oregon and Ohio State, to a degree.
When it comes to Oregon, they are fresh off of a 24-14 victory over the Idaho Vandals this past weekend. That game was a one score game for much of the second half, which isn’t a great showing against an FCS opponent. The offense was the main issue throughout, lacking the ability to make explosive plays.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 41 of 49 passes on the day, but for only 380 yards. They had no ability to push the ball vertically during the contest. A big factor was due to an offensive line that struggled mightily. Luckily for the Ducks, the defense did enough to stifle Idaho.
For Ohio State, most would see the final score of 52-6 over Akron and assume they had a dominant first game showing. If you watched that game, you know how much of a struggle that game was, specifically on offense. Eventually the talent won out for the Buckeyes, but Will Howard left a lot to be desired in his first game. In order to get to where they want to go, the Ohio State offensive line will have to be better, along with Howard.
At the end of the day, one game doesn’t define a team. While both showed some glaring flaws in the first game, teams tend to evolve over time. Anybody who is hitting the panic button is being way too hyperbolic.
Verdict: Fiction
Cam Ward is a legit Heisman Trophy candidate
One of the big gets in the transfer portal this offseason, former Incarnate Word and Washington State signal caller Cameron Ward headed down to Miami with huge expectations. It was just one game, but he certainly lived up to those regards in the team’s 41-17 victory over the Florida Gators. During that game, Ward threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 33 yards on three carries.
Ward made some truly remarkable plays during that contest, showcasing his ability to make plays out of structure. There has been a lot of mention of the Heisman Trophy coming out of that contest, and for good reason. It’s early but I’m buying that hype for Ward.
Verdict: Fact
Travis Hunter is the best player in college football
How many players could legitimately be the best player in college football at two different positions? Take it one step further: How many players could potentially be a top 15 NFL draft selection at two different positions? Make no mistake about it, Hunter is special.
He’s coming off of a game against North Dakota State, where his skills on the offensive side of the football were the most pronounced. During that game, he hauled in seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns, averaging an absurd 18.9 yards per reception. On defense, he wasn’t tested at all. He made slight work of the Bison pass catchers despite playing in 129 of a possible 131 total plays.
We might need a birth certificate for Hunter. I’m not sure he was born on this planet.
Verdict: Fact
Dabo Swinney has to change
Coach Swinney has been a controversial figure over the last couple of years, most notable for his stance with the transfer portal. He is an individual who has spoken openly against it, choosing to strictly focus on high school recruitment and development. He reportedly doesn’t want to get into the bidding war for transfer players, and in the game of quick fixes.
That ideology does have a lot of validity to it. Recruiting and developing high schoolers is still the way to go, but with so much movement from a transfer perspective nowadays, you do have to supplement those roster spots occasionally. Every team is adopting the strategy to a degree, most wanting to fill in a small amount of holes. Coach Swinney may need to reconsider his opinions around the issue, or else his program may continue to trend downward.
Verdict: Fact
