Individual matchups that will be worth watching in September
The season begins a month from today with five “Week Zero” games.
Truth be told, not one is of overwhelming interest, but September has a ton of eagerly anticipated matchups. It also has a ton of eagerly anticipated individual matchups.
A sampling of what is on tap mano a mano in September, broken down chronologically.
September 4
Georgia RBs Zamir White, et al, vs. Clemson LB James Skalski
The buzz: Georgia has the deepest group of running backs in the nation with White, Kendall Milton and James Cook, among others. Skalski, meanwhile, leads one of the best linebacker groups in the nation. It’s simple yet true: If Georgia is able to effectively run between the tackles, the Bulldogs’ chances for victory increase greatly. Skalski, a Georgia native, needs to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Ohio State OT Thayer Munford vs. Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
The buzz: First-team preseason All-Americans lined up opposite each other? Hell, yes. Munford, entering his fourth season as a starter, surprised more than a few people by staying for his fifth season. He gets what likely will be his toughest individual test of the season in the opener against Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has had some “wow” moments, but the consistency hasn’t been there. Then again, he has played just 21 college games and still has 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in those outings. It might be the first real weekend of the season, but there will be few, if any, better individual matchups this season than this one.
Ohio State WRs Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson vs. Oregon DBs Verone McKinley III and Mykael Wright
The buzz: Olave and Wilson head up the best offensive position group in the nation; Ohio State’s receiving room is the envy of everyone. Olave is the best receiver in the nation — or is it Wilson? Wright, a corner, and McKinley, a safety, lead a confident and aggressive Ducks DB group. Oregon’s secondary has become markedly better the past two seasons, with 26 TD passes allowed and 25 picks in the past 21 games. McKinley and Wright have a combined six interceptions and 17 pass breakups in that span.
Miami OT Zion Nelson vs. Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
The buzz: Nelson’s first college game as a true freshman in 2019 came at a neutral site and he was vastly overmatched by Florida DEs Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga. He will be better-prepared for this neutral-site opener. Nelson has developed from a lightly recruited prospect (UM coaches flipped him from Appalachian State) into one of the best offensive linemen in the ACC. Anderson, a sophomore who was a five-star recruit, might be the best pass rusher in the SEC. He started to emerge in the second half of the 2020 season, and expect double-digit sacks this fall.
September 11
Washington OT Jaxson Kirkland vs Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson
The buzz: Kirkland redshirted as a true freshman in 2017, then started at guard in the next two seasons before moving to left tackle last fall. He remains a mauler when blocking for the run but showed the requisite footwork to be a solid pass protector last season. Hutchinson is one of the best ends in the Big Ten, a league filled with good ends. He played only three games last season before suffering an ankle injury. His return to form, especially against the run, is huge for the Wolverines.
September 18
Alabama WR John Metchie vs. Florida CB Kaiir Elam
The buzz: The Tide’s receiving corps shredded the Gators’ secondary in last season’s SEC Championship Game, but most of the players involved (on both sides) now are gone. These guys, though, are back. Elam has the talent to be an All-American, and he had two picks and 11 pass breakups last season. Metchie is expected to be the Tide’s No. 1 receiver this season, though no way will he be as prolific as Devonta Smith.
Indiana WR Ty Fryfogle vs. Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner
The buzz: The Hoosiers have been at or near the top of the Big Ten passing stats in each of the past six seasons, and should be highly productive through the air again because of QB Michael Penix. Fryfogle will be the go-to guy this season and will vie for all-league honors. Gardner, meanwhile, will be the most talented corner Fryfogle sees all season. This is an early-season measuring stick game for both, but especially Cincinnati. Gardner and his secondary mates can’t let IU’s passing attack have a big day.
Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims vs. Nebraska CB Cam Taylor-Britt
The buzz: Taylor-Britt, an Alabama native who is one of the best corners in the Big Ten, has been one of the few bright spots for the Huskers the past two seasons (five picks, seven pass breakups and four forced fumbles). He and his secondary mates will get a big test from Mims and a deep Oklahoma receiving corps. Mims was a four-star recruit in the 2020 signing class who immediately began to live up to billing. He led OU in receptions, receiving yards and TD receptions last season, and is in line for an even bigger sophomore season.
September 25
Notre Dame Gs Cain Madden and Jarrett Patterson vs. Wisconsin LB Jack Sanborn
The buzz: Sanborn might be the best linebacker in the Big Ten. The Irish duo of Madden (a huge transfer portal pickup from Marshall) and Patterson might end up being the best guard duo in the nation. Forget finesse: Both teams want to physically beat up on their opponent. And the game is at Soldier Field, a perfect location for this type of football. The Irish must keep Sanborn away from the ball, but can Madden and Patterson do so?
SMU WR Reggie Roberson vs. TCU CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
The buzz: Roberson has been injured in each of the past two seasons, but still is one of the best Group of 5 players nationally. After starting his career at West Virginia, Roberson has 117 receptions for 2,079 yards (17.8 yards per catch) and 17 TDs in three seasons at SMU. Hodges-Tomlinson is one of two corners Roberson will see this season who has legit All-America hopes (Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner is the other, in late November). Hodges-Tomlinson was second nationally with 13 pass breakups last season.
(Photos at top of page: Munford by Jeffrey Brown and Thibodeaux by Jordon Kelly/both of Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)