Some opinions, takes and things NFL scouts will be looking for in week five of the college football season.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
3:30 p.m. EST, ABC
What to watch for…
Key matchup to watch
Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles vs. Texas CB Curtis Brown
At only 5-11, 180 pounds, Oklahoma wideout Ryan Broyles is a bit undersized. However, he’s really shifty off the line, eats up the cushion quickly and has the type of body control to cleanly snap off routes and create separation out of his breaks. Therefore, his matchup today with the bigger, more physical Texas cornerback Curtis Brown looks poised to be a good one. Brown is a long, good-looking corner, but what impressed me most on tape about his game was his blend of flexibility, fluidity and balance he displays in press coverage for such a long athlete. He’s not your typical tall, college press corner, as this guy can redirect, turn and run and routinely makes play on the football. Therefore, I will be watching this matchup closely between two starting caliber athletes at the next level.
I wrote before the year and I still believe with strong convictions that if you want the best pure pass rusher on the Texas defense don’t look at DE Sam Acho. Instead, turn your attention to Eddie Jones. Jones looks to finally be putting it all together this season, as he is second on the team in tackles with 25 and leads the Longhorns in tackles for loss (7) and sacks (4). He’s has always had the talent, as he possesses an explosive first step, good change of direction skills and impressive range in pursuit — it was just a matter of time. And he’s the guy who needs to create that consistent pass rush this week for the Longhorns off the edge if they hope to get off the field on third down.
ICONMurray has the ability to be the X-factor in this one.
Finally, if there is one X-factor in this one, it’s Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray. Murray finally looks healthy and can be really dynamic with the football in his hands once he gets into the open field. The guy gets up to speed quickly, can outpace angles in the open field and can be shifty enough to make a man miss and accelerate into day light. Plus, he can line up all over an NFL offense in the pass game and consistently is able to create mismatches for an offense.
Florida vs. Alabama
8:00 p.m. EST, CBS
What to watch for…
Just call him Mr. Clutch. Alabama QB Greg McElroy isn’t the biggest or most physically gifted kid, but he’s a guy who has a great feel for the pass game, takes care of the football and is at his best come the fourth quarter. But, the two things I really like about his game are…
1. He throws an accurate football with consistently good ball placement, giving his talented receivers a chance to run after the catch.
2. No situation seems too big for him, as he routinely plays his best football when asked to come from behind in pressure-packed situations.
Now, physically I don’t think he has what it takes to ever be a starter for you at the next level. But, he’s a guy you hate to bet against and looks like a very solid late-round pick who can make an NFL roster as a reserve, handle an NFL offense and come into a game and give you solid contributions as a backup if need be.
Key matchup to watch
Alabama WR Julio Jones vs. Florida CB Janoris Jenkins
Because of the Alabama run game, a lot of college secondaries are almost forced to leave their corners out on an island with Alabama wideout Julio Jones, which in most cases is an obvious mismatch for the Tide in the pass game. However, this week Florida does have a very good corner in its own right in Janoris Jenkins who has really taken his game to another level this season. He’s at his best when asked to play in off, read the quarterback’s eyes and quickly click and close on plays underneath. But, he also has done a better job being physical in press coverage and rerouting receivers this season, making him a more rounded corner. Now, despite the fact that Jones will never be overly productive in the ‘Bama offense, the guy is one of the elite talents in college football and looks like he has lost some weight and overall bulk from a year ago, adding to his explosion down the field and fluidity out of his breaks. And he’s proven to be able to gain separation on just about any corner so far this year vertically, so it will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out and how much confidence Florida has in Jenkins.
Finally, a lot has been made of the new “heavy package” in the Florida defense where the Gators go with five down linemen and two backers in order to try to stop the ‘Bama run game. Now, I agree that Alabama RB Mark Ingram is a big time talent, but I think this is more of a reflection of how “blah” the Gators defensive line talent is at this stage. Florida lost Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham to the draft last season and simply doesn’t have the type of dynamic athletes up front to consistently win their individual matchups and create havoc behind the line. Therefore, Florida is simply going to try to win the numbers game inside the box, which could mean a long day for the Florida pass defense, especially with the success McElroy has had in the past against the Gators.
Stanford vs. Oregon
8:00 p.m. EST, ABC
What to watch for…
It’s a complete contrast in styles in this matchup, as the fast, finesse Oregon offense takes aim at the physical Stanford defense. And the key for the Cardinal stopping the Oregon read-option is nose tackle Sione Fua inside. Fua is a thick, two-gapping style lineman who can anchor and shed blocks inside and does a nice job eating up space. However, the one knock I have on him at this stage is at that at times he does struggle to find the football. Therefore, he needs to show better awareness tonight, because the Ducks love to make their reads based off the leverage of the opposing defensive linemen inside, which for most of the night will be Fua.
ICONLuck is the kind of quarterback you want heading into a hostile environment.
This is the kind of game where Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck can really show his worth, on the road, in front of a hostile crowd and simply do his job moving the chains. The one thing that has impressed me most about Luck throughout his time at Stanford is the fact that the guy always seems to be in control of the offense. He never gets rattled, always seems very level-headed and doesn’t let emotions interfere with his play. Oregon has one of the most high-powered offenses in the country and they will put some pressure on Stanford to score points throughout in this one. Luck possesses the overall physical skill set and feel in the pass game to light up the scoreboard. I think it’s the kid’s moxie that will give him a chance to steal a win tonight.
Key matchup to watch
Stanford OG Andrew Phillips vs. Oregon DT Brandon Bair
Sure, it’s not the sexiest of matchups inside, but Andrew Phillips and Brandon Bair are two tough, hard-working guys who play to their strengths and have both done a nice job consistently wining their individual battles so far this season. Bair is a big, long 6-6, 270-pound kid who has som e natural flexibility and uses his length well to fight off blocks and work his way toward the football inside. Phillips, on the other hand, lacks a great initial pop off the snap in the pass game, but resets his feet quickly, shows some anchor ability and works his hands and feet well through the play. However, I’m looking forward to seeing the two go head to head in the run game, as Phillips does a nice job coming off the ball low, gets his hands inside and loves to finish blocks. Bair lacks ideal girth when run at, but can be tough to get inside of because of his length and knows how to slip blocks. Therefore, it will be an interesting matchup between the two under the radar type prospects who I think could both end up making rosters at the next level.
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