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Fact or Fiction: Lincoln Riley to the NFL, Jim Harbaugh Staying, Cade Klubnik for Heisman

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Farrell | Last updated 12/15/23

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. Lincoln Riley will be a candidate for the Chargers job.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

I think he would have been had he not regressed this past season and I have it on good authority that Riley would love to jump to the NFL and not deal with the recruiting, portal and NIL nightmare that is college football. But his star isn’t shining so bright now in NFL circles because of the lack of defense his teams have had consistently and his inability to make key personnel moves in a timely fashion. The Chargers will look elsewhere.

2. The Bears are targeting Jim Harbaugh.

Farrell’s take: FACT

The Chargers would like a word as well and many NFL teams are interested as they don’t give a crap about stealing signals or recruiting violations. And what about Harbaugh’s run-ins with former Big Ten commish Kevin Warren who is now the President of the Bears? The Bears ownership doesn’t care and have tasked Warren to make it work if possible. Harbaugh to the Bears would be an amazing fit and it’s unlikely he’s going to return to college football after this season I’m told.

3. Cade Klubnik will be a Heisman contender next season.

Farrell’s take: FACT

What? Hear me out. While Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers and others have the early hype it’s not a super strong early field for the Heisman and Clemson’s roster is going to be loaded next season. His 19 touchdowns against 8 interceptions isn’t great but he’s shown signs of improvement since the NC State loss. If Clemson has a bounce back season and plays the way they did down the stretch he will be a low key candidate just watch.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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