In today’s Fact or Fiction national columnist Mike Farrell looks at three big recent topics in college football and decides whether each statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
*****
MORE FACT OR FICTION: Lincoln Riley is going to dominate California recruiting |
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
RIVALS TRANSFER TRACKER: Stories/coverage | Message board
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info/coverage on 2021 camp series
*****
1. Brent Pry can turn around the Hokies.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Pry has been around coaching forever, from growing up as a coach's son to stints along the way (including at Virginia Tech) under some amazing coaches. He’s an underrated defensive mind who will bring a Bud Foster-type attitude to Blacksburg.
The key, however, will be who he hires to run the offense and how well he can recruit the state, and I feel he can be successful at both. I’m not saying this will be the Hokies of old under Frank Beamer, who owned Hampton Roads and dominated in-state recruiting, but it will be an improvement over Justin Fuente, who never quite got a grip on the culture at Virginia Tech.
*****
2. Luke Fickell should be the next coach at Notre Dame.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I like Marcus Freeman, who is the Irish's defensive coordinator, and I think he will be a very good head coach at the college level some day. But he’s not ready for Notre Dame yet. Fickell is, and he’s a natural fit for the job. He knows the Midwest recruiting territory and has had so much success at Cincinnati while proving his ability to be a head coach at a high level.
And the last coach from Cincinnati kind of worked out, so why not? And here’s a bonus: Freeman can become the next head coach of the Bearcats and get his feet wet there.
*****
3. Spencer Rattler will end up at Arizona State.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I still think this happens, but let’s be clear — others are making a run at the former Oklahoma Heisman candidate. Oregon is an option, and he’d be a great fit for that offense, but also keep an eye on Houston, where he could put up eye-popping numbers.
The dominoes here will be interesting, because if he doesn’t choose the Sun Devils, Ohio State transfer QB Jack Miller could end up there.
