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.
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1. Ulysses Bentley IV may be a top five RB portal move.
Farrell’s take: FACT. My top-five running back transfers list was released without the SMU running back transfer who is headed to Ole Miss. But an argument could be made for Bentley to be there ahead of running back Henry Parrish, who is leaving Ole Miss for Miami.
The stats are similar as Bentley had 610 yards and four scores last season, while Parrish had 553 yards and three TDs. Bentley did have 914 yards and 11 scores in 2020 in his breakout season and has tremendous upside to go along with fellow transfer Zach Evans.
Parrish is an electric player and will make a big impact at Miami, where he hails from. It’s a toss-up, so a case could easily be made for Bentley.
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2. Jake Haener is a top 10 returning quarterback.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I just had Haener missing the cut in my top 10 returning quarterbacks and put UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson as my No. 10 choice. Haener, who threw for 4,096 yards and 33 scores last season, has amazing stats, and DTR can’t hold a candle to him in that regard.
But let’s not forget DTR rushed for more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with his 2,409 yards and 21 passing scores. And he threw only six interceptions, compared to Haener’s nine, at a higher level of competition. And those saying Haener outplayed DTR head to head when Fresno State beat UCLA 40-37 aren’t accurate. While Haener threw for 455 yards and two scores, DTR threw for three touchdowns as well and led UCLA in rushing.
It’s an interesting battle for my No. 10 QB, but Thompson-Robinson gets the nod.
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3. Mark Whipple to Nebraska is the best offensive coaching hire of the off-season.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. It’s up there, don’t worry Nebraska fans. Whipple helped Kenny Pickett become a household name at Pitt, and he is a great offensive mind, but can we put him ahead of Jeff Lebby at Oklahoma, Josh Gattis at Michigan and others? These coaches could impact the college football playoff battle, while Whipple has a lot of work to do at Nebraska.
