Here’s what I’m watching this week in college football:
Alabama vs Tennessee
Miami vs Virginia Tech
Arkansas vs BYU
Oklahoma State vs TCU
LSU vs Florida
Stanford vs Notre Dame
Clemson vs Florida State
British TV isn’t showing as many games this week so I’m relying on ESPN Player but will try and get through all of these by Monday.
It’s believed Will Levis and Bryce Young will both return this weekend.
Rather than do a full quarterback breakdown this week — I want to recommend watching a player on TCU’s defense.
I’m really enamoured by junior safety Abraham Camara.
He wears #14 and you’ll notice him for his hitting. He is an outstanding hitter when he connects. He plays with great anticipation, he’s extremely quick and he flies to the ball. He is a toner-setter who is very passionate on the field — you see him react to big plays and he packs a real punch with a good size/speed combo.
When Camara has to drop in coverage he shows off a great back-pedal. His range is good for a hitting safety. I watched TCU vs Kansas and he had a brilliant PBU on a fourth down.
In the first month of the season he was second in the Big-12 for forced incompletion percentage:
1. Malik Dunlap (TTU), 35%
2. Abraham Camara (TCU), 29%
3. D’Shawn Jamison (UT), 27%
T-4. Korie Black (OKST), 25%
T-4. Ekow Boye-Doe (KSU), 25%
And he led the conference in QBR when throwing his way:
1. Abraham Camara (TCU), 18.8
2. D’Shawn Jamison (UT), 35.1
T-3. Josh Hayes (KSU), 39.6
T-3. Tayvonn Kyle (ISU), 39.6
5. Kalon Gervin (KU), 55.1
There is a big negative. He doesn’t wrap-up his tackles well enough. There are moments where he dives head or shoulder first and doesn’t connect. I’ve seen a couple of bad whiffs. But the hits are so bone-crunching and his athletic traits so appealing — I’d roll the dice to work on the finer details of his tackling.
If you get a chance to watch TCU today check him out.
I’m also particularly interested to watch K.J. Henry at Clemson again — a pass rusher who deserves far more attention. I want to watch Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman against Alabama. He gashed them for a 70-yard run last season so I want to see if he can have another impact today. (Edit — Tillman is out injured). I’m looking forward to watching Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller again.
Plus, of course, I’ll be watching all of the big name quarterbacks as usual.
Thanks for this Rob.
In the event Penny isn’t able to make it back – curious if Zack Charbonnet is on your radar?
Seems to have a good mix of size, speed & burst.
Also, Gabe got restructured.
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2022/10/15/23405692/report-seattle-seahawks-restructure-contract-gabe-jackson-free-up-cap-space-2023-cap-hit
Rob has been on Charbonnet since last year…….with good reason.
The Fun Interpretation:
They’re offloading Jackson to an OL-needy team, but the team will give a better draft pick if they do not have to pay him much. The Seahawks restructure to keep the balance over his vet minimum on their books.
The Boring, More Realistic Interpretation:
They’re almost out of 2022 cap room. They need money to pay Bruce Irvin and/or more cushion for any more injuries.
Seahawks reddit assuming we clearing cap to go after Brian Burns. Or Roquan….
hmmmm… we did sign joey hunt : )
I think Tillman is out against Alabama today.
You’re right. Urgh.
I’m switching between Penn State at Michigan and Iowa St at Texas early.
Texas is off to a slow start against Iowa State. I can’t believe that ESPN has them ranked 4th in their Power Rankings.
The media is trying extra hard to hype up both USC and Texas even though they each haven’t beaten a quality opponent yet.
Love the TCU praise recently. To give a few more names that are talked about highly within the program outside of Quentin Johnson and Camara.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (1) is an undersized but gritty corner/safety who flies in on run support. Some potential at nickel given his size/temperment. Related to NFL and TCU great Ladanian Tomlinson.
Mark Perry (3) recently transferred in from Colorado. Larger safety 6′ 215lbs, who appears to have some speed and physicality. Haven’t seen him have any lapses in coverage but you could assume he’s more of a box safety. Middle/late round option depending on testing.
Kendre Miller (33) 6′ 220 RB with some good speed and physicality. Consistent tackle breaker who finishes runs. Not the best wiggle but as a later-round battering ram option he has some potential.
2 names for the future
Marcel Brooks (9) backup linebacker after breaking his ribs in summer camp. Elite athlete who was a former 5 star recruit (transferred from LSU). Truly exciting size/speed (6′ 2″, 210 but looks heavier) combo. Had an eye-popping stop during the Kansas game where he flew out to the flat to beat the running back to the sticks on a must-have 3rd down. Not sure on his eligibility but believe he has one more year if he wants. Would be helpful for him to get a full year starting prior to declaring.
Damonic Williams (52) massive (6′ 2″ 320) nose tackle who is starting as a true freshman. Absolute man eater who has time to develop. Already 1.5 sacks and 1.5 TFLs. Hopefully develops into a mid round option by the 2025 draft.
What a throw from van dyke!
Bijan Robinson is unbelievable.
Some teams will give him the highest grade on their board. Others will have him at #2.
This comp is ridiculous. No one runs like Barry Sanders lol. He’s 1 of 1.
https://twitter.com/LuckIsMadeFF/status/1581285585762758657?t=YmOPo6jEdu0Wa_1TS9a2RQ&s=19
Agreed Barry 1 of 1.
Maybe its the #5, but he looks and runs more like Ladanian Tomlinson than Barry.
Some good individual performances in the early games. But the games themselves are awful to watch.
This RB class is loaded.
Bijon Robinson
Jahmyr Gibbs
Tank Bigsby
Devon Achane
Blake Corum
Mo Ibrahim
Zach Charbonnet
Sean Tucker
Add Chris Rodriguez
Every list has to include Rodriguez
Michigan’s OL is dominating this Penn St front. Really setting the tone for the game. Corum looks like a nice day 2 option.
It’s ugly. And Penn State came into the game with the nation’s #5 rushing defense
My top priorities for this team are three new DTs to fit the 3-4 and an ILB to replace Barton. I don’t care if it’s through the draft or free agency (Woods is too old to build around). Then get me a tall WR3 to sit in holes in the zone and move the chains on 3rd down and a short speedy/shifty kick returner and I’ll be happy. We should be able to fill the 3-4 DTs in free agency with cheap players like Woods who always seem to be available.
We need to switch out Taylor and Poona. Sadly, they can both be good (not great) players for a 4-3 and some team should buy low to get them from us).
Can we start by signing Danny Shelton off the Chiefs practice squad? Seems like he could be work a look at 3-4 DT on this team. Pete likes former 1st rounders and he’s only 29.
I know it’s CFB Saturday, but…
Let’s play ball!!
Go M’s!
I would love for Kirby to emerge into a big game pitcher. The kid is great so far!
Kirby should be a solid player for us for a long time!
We need the bats to come alive, this should be a low scoring game.
Anyone think after a terrible call this weekend a coach will tell the official he/she is “handsome, brave…and strong”?
The Alabama / Tennessee game is interesting. Young vs Hooker at QB. Tennessee is ahead , so that gives Alabama some incentive to play well.
Alabama are still on the bus
Playing like hot garbage
Even better now…could be an upset in the making.
Alabama special teams playing sloppy and had a turnover on a punt they were receiving. Their defense doesn’t look as good as normal. Offense has been okay except for a few passes dropped.
Overall, the defense is playing raggedy and giving up more yards than normal. Saban is going to have a restless night! ha ha
Josh Huepel has put together a heck of a game plan today. Alabama doesn’t seem to be nearly as good as last year, much more mortal. Will be fascinating to see how Young does with some real adversity.
Hendon Hooker plays a lot like Geno Smith when he was @ W. Virginia
Love Bijon Robinson, but imo Jahmyr Gibbs ain’t far behind him.
Smith is an interesting comp for Smith, will have to think on that one….
Gibbs looks like a very good back in the pros.
Gibbs looks slippery when he runs!
If there are a lot of good running backs in the draft it would be good to draft someone. I know there are greater needs but they can’t forget to replenish the way they forgot linebackers last draft.
I dont think they’ll pass on LBs again. Would be shocked if they get outta the 2nd round w/o 1 this year. I’d take Trenton Simpson round 1, but that’s just me.
Agreed on taking a RB. Get 1 in the 3rd or 4th.
Tennessee EDGE Byron Young has flashed a TON today. Interesting prospect
The only reason you could even begin to make that case is due to athletic testing results.
He has not been impactful this year. Not yet, anyway. And we’re talking about round freakin one. He doesn’t even have a single TFL playing for Clemson. Nothing he’s shown this year justifies R1.
Also — the way they treated the LB position this off-season suggests they simply don’t value it as much any more. At least in the position Barton is playing. They added no competition, no depth. Just ignored it.
This wasn’t a ‘we’re cool at linebacker’ — this was ‘we feel we don’t need it, it isn’t important’
IMO this is setting up for, if they keep this scheme, the full focus to be D-line. The guys in front of the LB’s. And then replacing Barton with someone better suited to the scheme, albeit probably on the cheap.
In every defense I’ve looked at the middle linebacker makes the most tackles. And indeed Bobby Wagner kept the defense on track for many years. So I hope the Seahawks spend some draft capital there.
How about Tennessee’s Hyatt for receiver? He seems good.
Tackles aren’t a stat to focus on
They’ve spent a fortune at LB for years — picks and money — and it’s not made any difference
It’s all about the D-line. That is the be-all and end-all.
Gibbs will be a high pick. Alvin Kamara but potentially better.
Hendon Hooker has virtually a perfectly balanced ‘great play’ to ‘WTF play’ ratio this season.
Hasn’t had the turnovers but man he has some moments of brilliance and some moments that make you cringe.
I was going to say that Young had outplayed him until Hooker made that last touchdown pass. There was another long pass that the receiver turned instead of running under the ball. That should have been a touchdown. Maybe the long ball is Hooker’s best pass?
In fairness that last long TD — it was wide open. That Alabama defensive back looked like a fan had wondered onto the field in coverage.
But his earlier deep ball for a TD was inch perfect
ALDS update
Kirby is on his stuff today. Not much offense and the umpire started out laser on but has since gone wonky.
It’s a pitcher’s duel
Wow!!!
Big time performance by Kirby!
The apparent “hit” by pitch sent me into an absolute frenzy!! Such garbage. I hate the Astros
This Alabama-Tennessee game is nearly three hours in and there’s still 5 mins left in the third quarter. Bloody hell, CFB needs to quicken things up like the NFL
No time to sleep.
Kirby is as 😎 as a 🥒
THIS KID IS DIALED IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely loved this post Blitzy!
Don’t think I’ve seen an Alabama secondary this bad before
They’ve played terribly. What are your thoughts on Hyatt? Looks to have great size, speed, and production. Haven’t watched him before today.
Not studied him enough to judge ATM
Got the M’s game, and Bama – Vols game streaming. Crazy day of sports!
Loving how well Tenn is keeping in this game.
My goodness these pitchers!
Munoz is en fuego
Other than Castillo, M’s pitching has been lights out today!
Matt Bash striking out the side is just… my oh my
The young guns really shining today! Great experience for the young pitchers.
Hmm, pass interference against Alabama , but also a bit of a makeup call for earlier?
It looked pretty clear to me but I never know these days
There it is! Tennessee keeping it even
Watching Alabama-Tennessee makes me think that Georgia is not even going to be challenged this year.
That’s a sweet throw by Young
This has the feeling of a BCS finals game!
Bash those astros Matt!
Tennessee wins!
Sports sensory overload!
Like being in Vegas when the slot machines pay off!
Quite possibly the ugliest game winning kick I have ever seen.
How did that ball fly that far going sideways?
Big congrats to Tennessee Head Coach, adult Bobby Hill
https://64.media.tumblr.com/5b0ad2c1b0dea69437307ac7e81eaf17/tumblr_ptcspqScMo1vgbzo4_500.jpg
Heupel even SOUNDS like you’d expect an adult Bobby Hill to sound like
He is Bobby Hill
Can I claim this or have other people already made this comparison?
Google it
My guess is it’s already out there.
I have seen too much bad defense already this season to fully enjoy that Alabama vs Tennessee game 🙂
The fact that the entire starting secondary for Tennessee was out makes Young’s stats a bit suspect.
I thought he still played very well
Man that field is covered in Orange. They are going to have an awesome celebration in Tennessee. The sort of celebration that you won’t remember the next day – just that you had fun!
I would’ve been all over a celebration like that 20 years ago
Would’ve been messy
Good god, FSU has a receiver, #14, who is 6’7” and 235.
Johnny Wilson… Dude runs a 4.59. Could become a TE convert like Darren Waller did. When he was drafted by BAL, he was a WR. Waller ran a 4.46 @ 6’6” 238lbs. He’s about 15lbs heavier now
That Levis’ Pick-6 was atrocious… With the beating he’s taken today, throwing that out pass blows my mind.
That being said, I still want Levis and Christian Rodriguez in Seahawks unis next season
Totally agree. I was just surprised they do the screen a lot and the corner telegraphed it perfectly. With a lead, I was surprised they didn’t rely on the run that drive.
That to me was strictly a “sh*t happens” INT. He led them right back down the field with ease!
It was a WR screen they called too often and the defender anticipated it and read it
It’s not a problematic interception. It’s a crap play call
Will Levis is one tough sumbitch, I tell you hwhut.
I gotta believe his toughness inspires his teammates.
And Chris Rodriguez with damn near 200 yds. That last TD run of his reminded me of Bill the bulldozer Dauterive.
Penix Jr. had quite a day. Over 80% completion rate, over 500 yards passing with 5 TD’s, plus rushed for one TD. Of course, not against a great defense.
Against an abysmal defense, let’s be right here
I’ll repeat my assertion that UCLA is the best team in the PAC12.
Well done Utah!
Utah for a while has played season spoiler. Great game for them.
Hopefully a really fun game against UCLA.
That usc team is miles away from competing at another level. Riley has that offense dialed but the defense is very suspect.
I’ll say it again, I think if you let Pete pick the QB he would be in love with Cam Rising. Kincaid was great at TE
Kincaid was fantastic
Why though?
Pete literally said a few weeks ago his ideal QB is big and strong and named Carson Palmer
Cam Rising isn’t even likely to be drafted. If he is it’ll be late