CFB Week 6: Player Matchup Preview

Week 6 lines up to be another exciting week in the world of college football. Oklahoma and Texas renew their rivalry after early season disappointment. ACC heavyweights, Clemson and Miami clash. As always the SEC has some highly anticipated games on the slate. Let’s take a look at four player matchups that could define the weekend.

Tre Brown v Brennan Eagles

The Red River Rivalry will feature two sides licking their wounds. Texas came undone at the hands of TCU, while the Sooners suffered their second loss on the bounce. Following up their Kansas State defeat by falling flat against Iowa State.

In the aftermath, Oklahoma defensive back Pat Fields commented about their difficulty covering the bigger receivers the Cyclones were equipped with. It was a trying day for all of the secondary including the most experienced of the bunch Senior Tre Brown. At 5’10, Brown has had his difficulties this season and will look to bounce back this weekend.

In what is likely to be a shootout, Brown and co. will face a stiff task against Longhorns QB Sam Ehlinger and his array of weapons. Eagles seems unlikely to declare at the end of this year but if he did, NFL teams would have to take notice.

His frame and explosiveness are relatively under utilised in the Longhorns offense. Five catches in three games is hardly ripping up the Big 12, but two of those were on long touchdowns. Knowing Oklahoma’s issues covering bigger framed receivers, we may see more targets for Eagles on Saturday.

Cam'Ron Harris v James Skalski

Image Credit: clemsonsporttalk.com

The Miami Hurricanes have plenty of offensive talent. While the headliners will be D’Eriq King and Brevin Jordan, running back Cam’Ron Harris is an important cog. Facing off against the Clemson Tigers is a tough ask and getting the run established will be key.

Harris has power to be utilised on inside zones but what sets him apart is his shifty feet. Even when short on space, he has excellent lateral agility to make tacklers miss. That will be important in avoiding initial contact from a talented Tigers’ defensive line. 

Going up against Harris will be defensive leader James Skalski. With his neck brace, Skalski epitomises the hard nosed thumping linebacker. Often Clemson’s tone setter, the senior linebacker will be keen to prove he can be a true three down backer. Even if he projects as a two down run defender, Skalski’s effort means it’s hard to see him not making it in the NFL. At the very least, there would be special teams value.

Dylan Moses v Kenny Yeboah

Lane Kiffin comes face to face with his old employer on Saturday as Ole Miss takes on Alabama. It is going to take something special for the Rebels to overturn the Crimson Tide but it is the kind of storyline Kiffin thrives on.

Ole Miss will have to account for Alabama’s Dylan Moses. Until injury struck in 2019, Moses was one of the highest rated linebackers in the country. Having recovered from his knee issue, he returns to the Bama defense as the undisputed leader. Prior to last year, Moses flashed everything you would want from a modern day linebacker. Pursuit speed, great range, physical tackling and coverage ability. While there has been rust to knock off early on, he looks set to be one of the top defenders off the board in next year’s draft.

For the Rebels, Kenny Yeboah has been an important piece of the offense. During Lane Kiffin’s time as head coach at FAU, Harrison Bryant established himself as one of the top Tight Ends in the country and is having a great start to his NFL career in Cleveland. In Yeboah, Kiffin may have found something similar.

Yeboah has been a popular target in 2020 so far for QB Matt Corral. He has accounted for 174 receiving yards, averaging 21.8 yards per catch including two touchdown grabs. While Moses will be asked to drop and cover the areas Yeboah can thrive in, there roles will also be reversed. Yeboah is a solid blocker and may be tasked with protection duties should Moses be deployed as an additional blitzer. Either way round it should be an intriguing battle between two draftable talents.

Trey Smith v Jordan Davis

Brennan Eagles
Image Credit: rockytoptalk.com

The SEC is won and lost in the trenches. That will be particularly relevant when Tennessee and Georgia meet. The Vols have racked up 182 rushing yards in their opening two games and have a dynamic rushing duo in Ty Chandler and Eric Gray.

Paving the way for those two is a star-studded offensive line. In particular the Vols have a pair of guards to rival anybody in the college game. On the left side, Trey Smith is arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the country. Despite a lingering concern over blood clots in his leg, Smith is healthy and showing the physicality and technique NFL teams will love.

Trying to slow down the rushing game for the Bulldogs will be nose tackle Jordan Davis. Georgia have only allowed 116 yards in the running game and a big part of that is down to Davis plugging the middle of the defense.

Although Davis doesn’t explode forwards he is proficient on disengaging and sliding to stuff the run. He has flashed the ability to turn his strength into a pass rush. If he can do that more consistently then he will begin to rise up draft boards in a defensive tackle class lacking in star power.

Mock Draft

Rory-Joe Daniels

Cfb contributor

formerly writing for the inside zone, rory will be breaking down college tape and keeping you up-to-date with all things CFB for the touchdown. an avid bengals fan, you can also find some of rory’s work at stripehype.com

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