Fact or Fiction: Michigan's win will be big for recruiting
National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Michigan's win will be big for recruiting.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Why? Because it’s a marquee win for Jim Harbaugh and something he can sell to recruits, and it was over a recruiting rival in a dominant fashion. Michigan and Notre Dame go head to head in recruiting quite often and the media has always pointed out Harbaugh’s lack of success against his rivals. Now he can boast on this one and it will help 2021 efforts and beyond. Now, a win against Ohio State? That would be even better.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Yes, Michigan’s win over Notre Dame was really impressive – and the Wolverines’ performance in the second half against Penn State was good, too. But Farrell puts too much stock in one or two wins and what it means for recruiting. There needs to be sustained success and players need to see where they fit in the offense or defense before they get sold on playing for any program. Michigan sells itself in many ways, and for a lot of kids they want to play for that team or for Harbaugh, not because the Wolverines beat Notre Dame on Saturday night. Michigan will recruit well unless it completely tanks – and that’s unlikely.
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2. Notre Dame's quarterback play is regressing.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Brian Kelly has done a good job at Notre Dame, but quarterback play and development hasn’t been great. From DeShone Kizer to Brandon Wimbush to Ian Book it just looks the same: too many missed opportunities and too much inconsistency. And Phil Jurkovec showed nothing that makes me feel good about his potential tenure. It’s puzzling, because Kelly is a good coach and really got the most out of his quarterbacks at Cincinnati, but Notre Dame continues to struggle at the position when it should be developing NFL players.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. We shouldn't be blaming the quarterbacks or Kelly’s development of the position. My issue with Notre Dame is that it doesn’t have game-breakers at receiver to make plays and to make the quarterback look good. Everything has to be a grind, because those receivers can’t make people miss and can’t stretch the field enough for easy touchdowns. Book has thrown for 15 touchdowns, two fewer than Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence while having six fewer interceptions. Book is not on the Jalen Hurts/Joe Burrow/Tua Tagovailoa level, but who else in college football is that good? I don’t blame the QB. The receivers seem to be the issue.
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3. Miami will win the ACC Coastal.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. The preseason favorite got a big win over Pitt this past weekend and the Canes also have a huge win over Virginia, but give me the field over Miami at this point. The division is a mess, and Miami can’t find stability at the quarterback position so another loss or two is in the works. Virginia wins the horrible division.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Do we really care? OK, I’m kidding, but this is a bad division so really anything could happen in the coming weeks. The winner of the Virginia/North Carolina game this weekend has to feel really good about its chances but there are a few big tests coming up, especially for the Tar Heels. Miami won't win it, though, which is a shame because the Hurricanes should have a strong enough team to beat up everyone in this division. Instead, Miami is a four-point underdog to an average FSU team this weekend.