Each week here at PFF, we will not only highlight those top draft-eligible prospects, NFL draft board-risers and deep statistical updates of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks, we will also be giving you an advanced look at those top prospects when they will be matching up against one another.
Conference play heats up this week, thus not only will we see better team matchups this week, but we’ll also see several key prospects facing off against very familiar opponents. This looks to be a particularly interesting week in the trenches, as that's where five of our featured match-ups will take place.
Washington WR Dante Pettis vs. Colorado CB Isaiah Oliver
Oliver last week posted his second interception of the season, but overall had easily his worst game of 2017. He was responsible for two touchdowns and 93 yards into his coverage, including one that went for 52 yards. Pettis on the other hand, added to his Pac-12 record with his eighth career return touchdown, and had his best game of the season receiving with five grabs on seven targets for 92 yards and three scores. Not surprising, Washington QB Jake Browning had a 153.3 QB rating when targeting Pettis last week.
Nevada Edge Malik Reed vs. Washington State OTs Andre Dillard and Cole Madison
Reed has taken a huge step forward this season production-wise with 11 total run stops and 10 total pressures, six of them coming last week against Idaho State. While Dillard has been his usual self at left tackle for Washington State (just one hurry through three games), Madison has struggled at times this season, already surrendering two sacks thus far after yielding just three all of last season.
Nebraska Edge Freedom Akinmoladun vs. Rutgers LT Tariq Cole
We had high hopes for Akinmoladun after he posted 37 total pressures last season, but through three games he has just three, all of them coming against Arizona State Week 1. Cole, however, has been as-advertised, as he has surrendered just three hurries on the year with no hits or sacks against. His 88.6 run-blocking grade ranks ninth in the country among all tackles, but he has been charged with four penalties thus far.
Stanford RB Bryce Love vs. UCLA LB Kenny Young
Love’s school may have suffered a surprising defeat last week, but he still ranks second in the country among running backs with an overall grade of 88.1. He will try to add to his forced missed tackle-tally, which currently stands at 18 on 43 rush attempts. Doing so against UCLA’s Young may prove to be difficult, however, as the Bruin has yet to whiff this season.
Purdue C Kirk Barron vs Michigan DI Maurice Hurst
Barron has played very well to start his junior season, in particular in pass protection, where he has given up no sacks or hits through three games and just three hurries. He’s yet to face a force the likes of Hurst, however, who has been the dominant player we expected him to be this year. Thus far, he has seven total hurries, and his 89.6 overall grade ranks second among all defensive interior players in FBS.
Duke DI Mike Ramsey vs. North Carolina OG Khaliel Rodgers
Rodgers is off to a strong start this year, as he has surrendered just one hurry through three games and last week posted a run-blocking grade of 92.1. Ramsey has been even more impressive, as he has posted 10 total pressures and seven defensive stops thus far. His 93.1 overall grade last week landed him on both our ACC and National teams of the week.
Penn State RB Saquon Barkley vs. Iowa LBs Bo Bower and Josey Jewell
Barkley is off to a sluggish start by his lofty standard, forcing just six missed tackles on 38 missed carries so far. Jewell and Bower have combined for 22 total stops in 3 games, but have already combined to miss eight tackles (six by Jewell – three in run defense, three in coverage). Last season, they missed just one against Penn State and combined for four stops, but Bower had his lowest-graded game against the run because of his inability to shed blockers.
Kentucky Edge Josh Allen vs. Florida LT Martez Ivey
Florida has started the season with two tough matchups, and consequently Ivey is off to a rough start. He’s given up six total pressures including a sack, and has struggled in the run game as well (36.6 run-blocking grade). Allen has been a breakout player through three weeks, showing well in all three phases. He’s amassed 13 total pressures (at least four in all three games), including two sacks and eight hits, and has eight total defensive stops.
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