Portal Fact or Fiction: Riley Leonard, Grayson McCall and USC’s Defense

In today’s Fact or Fiction – Portal Edition – I look at three more transfer topics and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or FICTION .

1. Riley Leonard’s addition will help lead Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season

Mark’s take: FICTION

It has become a college football tradition in August for Notre Dame to be hyped towards a National Championship run. Discussion of a potential championship currently seems somewhat far-fetched but making the new 12-team playoff is very reasonable and going undefeated in the regular season seems possible. However, that won’t happen. To try and help this process, Notre Dame added Riley Leonard to lead the offense. I expect Leonard and the Irish to have a very good season, and while the schedule is extremely manageable, it is hard to believe that there won’t be at least one hiccup, if not more. Texas A&M, Louisville, Florida State and USC are all hurdles, but also keep an eye on Georgia Tech in Atlanta on October 19 ^th as a trap game.

QB Grayson McCall will help lead NC State to the Playoffs

Mark’s take: FACT

As the season gets closer, I find myself becoming a bigger and bigger NC State believer. And one reason is the addition of Grayson McCall at quarterback. On top of that, the Wolfpack return most of their talented defense, and also added explosive players via the portal at running back and wide receiver. However, it was the addition of McCall’s veteran leadership, winning experience and skillset that will lead NC State to a memorable run through the ACC and a spot in the first 12-team Playoff. And everyone else will jump on the bandwagon after the Wolfpack beat Tennessee on September 7 ^th .

USC’s new defensive transfers will finally improve the unit

Mark’s take: FACT

Every recent USC season has had this same lingering topic, but I believe this year will be different. The Trojans brought in several veterans to once again try and improve a defense that has consistently disappointed. The Oregon State duo of LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and S Akili Arnold , the UCLA DB duo of John Humphrey and Kamari Ramsey and DL Nate Clifton from Vanderbilt will all play vital roles. These players will strengthen a unit that also returns several key players. For the first time in a while, the offensive unit may create more concerns than the defense for the Trojans.