Reality or Fiction: Colorado recreation can jumpstart the Matt Rhule period in Lincoln
Rivals nationwide recruiting analyst Greg Smith is joined by nationwide switch portal analyst Adam Friedman, Tim Verghese of InsideNebraska.com and Ryan Younger of TrojanSports.com to sort out three subjects and decide whether or not they imagine every assertion is FACT or FICTION.
1.
The Colorado recreation can jumpstart the Matt Rhule period in Lincoln.
Verghese: FACT. So long as Nebraska can no less than play aggressive soccer, the atmosphere anticipated at Memorial Stadium on a Saturday prime time recreation, paired with the variety of recruits anticipated on the town may generate some critical momentum on and off the sector. Dylan Raiola’s debut already caught the eyes of prospects throughout the nation, a standout efficiency, relative to expectations for a real freshman, with much more eyes on him may see the Huskers emerge as a contender for recruits they’re at present not concerned with.
Nebraska’s confidence of their protection’s ceiling this 12 months below Tony White, limiting Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and the Colorado offense could possibly be a wake-up name for high 2025 and 2026 defensive targets anticipated on the town similar to 2025 Alabama four-star linebacker commit Dawson Merritt, 2026 four-star athlete Brandon Arrington and 2026 Miami four-star linebacker commit Jordan Campbell.
Smith: FACT. This recreation could have a ton of eyeballs on it and I can’t wait to see what the rankings quantity is available in at. You’ve acquired a storied rivalry between two applications with notable head coaches. There may be star energy at quarterback on each groups. A win in opposition to Colorado at night time in Memorial Stadium would have followers and recruits buzzing. There shall be an unlimited quantity of holiday makers on the town as properly together with four-star outdoors linebacker goal Christian Jones.
This recreation may resonate for years to come back for Matt Rhule‘s program.
2. USC’s Week 1 win reveals it’s a Huge Ten championship contender.
Younger: FACT. I nonetheless wouldn’t name USC a high contender, not but, however ‘A contender,’ actually. The Trojans confirmed there’s certainly life after Caleb Williams, as Miller Moss threw for 378 yards, didn’t flip the ball over and led two late fourth quarter landing drives for the win whereas wanting supremely poised and in command.
Additionally they confirmed that they could even have a protection for the primary time in … many, a few years. USC solely managed to maintain one energy convention foe below 28 factors final 12 months, and in D’Anton Lynn’s debut held a reasonably potent LSU crew to twenty whereas making key cease after key cease. It was the fewest factors USC had allowed to a ranked opponent since 2019. And it simply LOOKED completely different than something we’d seen from a USC protection since even additional again than that. It’s one recreation, however it’s arduous to not increase expectations for this crew.
I don’t know but if they’ll stack up with Ohio State or Oregon, and so on., however give me a bigger pattern dimension of what we noticed Sunday and I may actually get there. Both approach, I might now anticipate this USC crew to stay very a lot within the combine within the convention race till deep within the season.
Smith: FICTION. It was an enormous win for coach Lincoln Riley in opposition to LSU in Vegas. Nonetheless, the Trojans should present me greater than a gap week win for me to imagine in them being a real contender within the Huge Ten. There have been encouraging indicators, notably the physicality of the protection. If the crew can do this from week-to-week within the meat grinder that’s the Huge Ten, it’ll be very spectacular.
Riley stated after the sport “That was some fairly good Huge Ten soccer as we speak.” Let’s revisit this matter when the climate turns and the bodily video games pile up.
3. Cam Ward would be the greatest impression switch within the nation this season.
Friedman: FACT. Cam Ward’s profession at Miami acquired off to an impressive begin on Saturday and if he can stick with it the Hurricanes will discover themselves within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. With him main the way in which, Miami is the apparent favourite to win the ACC. Ward wasn’t the highest-ranked switch within the 2024 cycle however he’s the highest-ranked beginning quarterback. Caleb Downs, Walter Nolen, Evan Stewart, Kadyn Proctor and Julian Sayin are all glorious prospects and a few may find yourself being picked greater within the NFL Draft than Ward when the time comes however it will be a stretch to say any of them could have as huge an impression as Ward this season.
Smith: FACT. There may be an argument to be made for a pair of Ohio State gamers right here. Downs is a celebrity security that helps management the sport. Quinshon Judkins ought to have a terrific 12 months as a part of the Buckeyes’ tailback tandem.
Nonetheless, I’ve to go together with Ward. It’s not simply because he had an impressive season-opening recreation that led to an enormous win over Florida. If Ward hits his ceiling and performs like a first-round NFL Draft choose, it’s going to make Miami a playoff crew. If the Hurricanes pull that off, it could possibly be the shot within the arm that coach Mario Cristobal must deliver Miami again to nationwide relevance. I’m calling my shot now and saying each find yourself taking place. The Hurricanes will go to the Faculty Soccer Playoff and Ward shall be a first-rounder.
