College Football Match-Ups

Image: WR Andre Roberts

This week (19 September 2009) of college football will provide us with some interesting match ups. Not just the teams, but if you look closer you will see some prime time NFL prospects squaring off against each other. How these prospects perform against other top talent will give NFL scouts a closer look at their future NFL potential.

BYU vs. Florida State:

One of the elite cornerbacks in the nation (Patrick Robinson) will be trying to shut down the awesome passing attack of BYU quarterback Max Hall. Florida State's Robinson (5' 10" 194 lbs) is a ball hawk, but he will have his hands full with Hall, who has a quick release and an impressive 71.4 completion percentage. Hall will take some risks though, he has already thrown 3 interceptions. It's going to interesting to see who matches up with BYU TE Dennis Pitta, because at 6' 5" 248 pounds he is used like a receiver, but is too big and strong for most defensive backs.

Florida vs. Tennessee:

This game should be a blow out in favor of Florida, but an interesting match up to watch is a couple NFL prospects in Florida DE Carlos Dunlap against Tennessee left tackle Chris Scott. Both of these guys will be playing on Sunday very soon and both have elite size. Dunlap weighs in at 6' 6" 290 pounds and Scott at an impressive 6' 5" 345 pounds. I will give the nod to Dunlap who might be too quick for Scott, but if Scott gets his hands on Dunlap he should be able to drive him downfield.

California vs. Minnesota:

Small (5' 9" 191 lbs), but super quick and talented cornerback Syd' Quan Thompson will try to shut down the Gophers primary target in WR Eric Decker. He (Decker) measures in at 6' 2" 215 pounds and will have a serious size and strength advantage, but Thompson is quicker and faster. Decker is 90% of the Gophers passing attack and If Thompson can cover Decker one on one, it will give The Golden Bears a real advantage in this game. This should be a fun match up because Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber has no problem throwing it to Decker even if he looks covered.

Virginia Tech vs. Nebraska:

One of the best guards in the nation against one of the best defensive tackles. In the trenches is where football is won or lost and if Virginia Tech OG Sergio Render (6' 3" 319 lbs) can't stop Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh (6' 4" 300 lbs) it could be a long day for the Virginia Tech offense. Render is playing very well and Suh is off to a great start in 2009 already recording 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The Citadel vs. Princeton:

Formerly Division 1A and now called the FCS (Football Championship Series). The FCS always pumps out quite a bit of little known, but blue chip NFL talent. One of the best receivers in the FCS is The Citadel wide receiver Andre Roberts and this week he will be matched up against one of the better corners in the FCS in Princeton CB Cart Kelly (6' 0" 180 lbs). Kelly is very experienced, starting 21 straight games, but he is no match for Roberts blazing speed. If Princeton gives Kelly some safety help over the top though, Roberts could be managed. Cart Kelly looks like a free agent type to me in the NFL, but Roberts could be drafted as high as the 3rd or 4th round with a strong 2009 season. Princeton is wary of Roberts after last seasons game. Last week in a losing effort against 21st ranked North Carolina, Roberts finished with 10 catches for 30 yards.