By Mark Pszonak
In today’s Fact or Fiction – Portal Edition – I take a look at three transfer related topics and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or FICTION.
1. Joey Aguilar will have a successful season at Tennessee
Mark’s take: FICTION
I thought Aguilar was a good fit at UCLA, but I can’t say the same thing about Tennessee. At UCLA he arrived at a program that needed an offensive spark and some level of identity, and he had the potential to provide that. However, at Tennessee, expectations are much higher, and he will be critiqued for every mistake. And if his two seasons at Appalachian State proved anything, Aguilar is prone to make mistakes. He passed for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns but also threw 24 interceptions and completed 60.1% of his attempts. On top of that, he threw 14 interceptions, which led the country, and completed only 55.9% of his attempts during the 2024 season. It is difficult to envision those types of numbers transitioning successfully against SEC defenses.
2. Dillon Thieneman will prove to be the top defensive transfer of this cycle
Mark’s take: FACT
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It is a crime that many people still don’t realize how good Thieneman is, but that’s what happens when you play your first two seasons at a Purdue program that went a combined 5-19. Now at Oregon, he will be excited, motivated and winning, which will be a dangerous combination for the rest of the Big Ten.
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3. Fernando Mendoza will lead Indiana back to the playoffs
Mark’s take: FICTION
Indiana was a great story in 2024 and head coach Curt Cignetti is very good at his job, but to expect it to happen again in 2025 is not realistic. The schedule fell into place amazingly well for the Hoosiers last season, which won’t be the case this fall. Even with Mendoza in charge of the offense, who I think can be very good in Bloomington, there are several serious hurdles, including the conference opener against Illinois, consecutive road games at Iowa and Oregon and then an early November trek to Penn State. The Hoosiers would likely have to win two of these and the rest of their games if they hope to make a return trip to the playoffs, which isn’t going to happen.
