UT

QB Jordan Love

RB Aaron Jones

WR CeeDee Lamb

WR Brandon Aiyuk

WR Nico Collins

TE Kyle Pitts

LT Tristan Wirfs

LG Kevin Dotson

C Drew Dalman

RG Sam Cosmi

RT Penei Sewell

EDGE Rashawn Gary

DT Justin Madubuike

DT Christian Wilkins

EDGE Trey Hendrickson

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

LB Patrick Queen

CB Jalen Ramsey

CB Sauce Gardner

CB Jaire Alexander

S Budda Baker

S Talanoa Hufanga

Blindy

QB Lamar Jackson

RB Breece Hall

WR Ja'marr Chase

WR Deebo Samuel

WR Terry McLaurin

TE Mark Andrews

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Quenton Nelson

C Ryan Kelly

RG Chris Lindstrom

RT Lane Johnson

EDGE Myles Garrett

DT Dexter Lawrence

DT Jeffrey Simmons

EDGE Danielle Hunter

LB CJ Mosley

LB TJ Edwards

LB Quincy Williams

CB Patrick Surtain

CB DJ Reed

S Jessie Bates

S Kyle Dugger

I think this was the hardest matchup for me to call, these feel like two really even rosters. I tried to break it down by position and even that didn't give me a clear answer - I have Blindy at QB, TE, DL and S while UT wins at WR, LB, and CB.

In the end I have Blindy winning a tough low scoring game on the strength and versatility of his running game with Lamar, Hall and Deebo whereas UT's team is built to stop the pass. Love gets the ball late down 17-13 but Blindy's awesome d-line comes up with a crucial sack fumble to clinch it.

I won’t argue with the outcome because I agree it would be an incredibly close game.

However I will not lose on a sack. I (imo) built the best line in this thing with stalwart tackles and no one on my line was outside the Top 5 in PFF ratings - with emphasis on pass pro. You match that with Jordan Love having the third lowest sack % in the league and I don’t see it.

Though I do think my defense would be interesting against Lamar. It’s predicated on stopping the pass but also with the pure speed I went for at LB I think they would provide some great contain on Lamar scrambles.

It would have to be designed runs inside the tackles that gash me and it’s plausible but if they pass 20 times they lose.

Very tough matchup that could go either way, I like UT tackling CBs early in the draft and his 3 CBs would work extremely good on most sides but my side is run heavy with the ability to throw. This probably means my team can't fall far too down early deficits because that's advantage UT(And probably lots of other sides)

I disagree about O-Line, I really think my O-Line is being undersold on a 1 game situation. Yeah Darrisaw has health issues despite being one of the elite LTs in the game and Nelson had a down year in comparison to the previous years but with Kelly they are still a top tier IOL unit and my right side I feel is the best of the draft where Lindstrom is heavily underrated to the common viewer and Lane Johnson is still getting it done at his age. Lindstrom has put forth back to back killer RG years.

Myles Garrett vs Wirfs is a very good matchup and I don't doubt Wirfs CAN play LT but it's baptism by fire throwing him on the other side to protect Love's blindside vs the most dangerous pass rusher(And a very good run stopper) in the game today. It will ask for either Pitts to stay behind to help in protection You can run on Hunter who will gamble for sacks(He gets them at such a good rate) so maybe Jones will try his shot on my right side but that's why I have a 4-3-4 with Quincy Williams over there who is a sideline crusher. Love's pocket may crash as well with Lawrence + Simmons caving in as well so Love will be working on the run and if he makes his throws, all the more power to him.

Think UT's best shot is if Aiyuk can take down my LBs since I opted for a 4-3-4 over the seemingly popular 4-2-5 defense that a couple of people are doing. Mosley is solid as a coverage but Pitts could give him fits if put 1 on 1. Edwards is another underrated player who has had 2 great seasons in PHI/CHI and Quincy Williams is coming off an all pro year that he had a sensational 2023 in all facets. He had issues of containment and over pursuing angles in the past which led to big runs if he misses his tackle or didn't choose the proper lane but he cut it off this year.

The 2 LBs on UT's side means the intermediate can be taken advantage of and between Deebo and Breece's trickiness as both a pass catcher and runners(Breece Hall had the best year as far as pass catching RBs go), it doesn't have to just be Lamar Jackson getting past the LOS to do damage. I just see my offense keeping UT's offense off the field and ushering out long, frustrating scoring drives.

Blindy- 20
UT- 17

My linebackers are specifically designed to defend the pass…. What are you hammering on about?

Jul 18, 2024 15:09:55 GMT UT said:

My linebackers are specifically designed to defend the pass…. What are you hammering on about?

I'm talking about the 2 LB core having to cover extra ground out there. One of your LBs(Queen?) will at times be looking for QB spy or keeping an eye on Lamar's feet, it makes it a 1 on 1 LB on Breece or Deebo out in the open. You have really good coverage LBs(I've loved JOK since Notre Dame, you don't need to convince me on anything in regards to him) but my bread and butter from a passing perspective will be on short-intermediate yardage plays. 

I think it’s a close game. Some would even call it a 4 point game. Lamar Jackson is tasked with leading a game winning drive, but reminds the world why he truly can not handle the pressure and throws a game sealing interception.

Team UT wins 21-17.

Jul 18, 2024 18:26:42 GMT KING KID said:

I think it’s a close game. Some would even call it a 4 point game. Lamar Jackson is tasked with leading a game winning drive, but reminds the world why he truly can not handle the pressure and throws a game sealing interception.

Team UT wins 21-17.

#FeedBreece

Jul 18, 2024 18:00:54 GMT Blindy said:

Jul 18, 2024 15:09:55 GMT UT said:

My linebackers are specifically designed to defend the pass…. What are you hammering on about?

I'm talking about the 2 LB core having to cover extra ground out there. One of your LBs(Queen?) will at times be looking for QB spy or keeping an eye on Lamar's feet, it makes it a 1 on 1 LB on Breece or Deebo out in the open. You have really good coverage LBs(I've loved JOK since Notre Dame, you don't need to convince me on anything in regards to him) but my bread and butter from a passing perspective will be on short-intermediate yardage plays. 

I do have a third corner to handle Deebo if need be , I’m not going to go full Barry and have linebackers covering receivers. That would honestly be Ramseys spot since he excels in a move role and is physical enough to handle slot duties. Also both my safeties can cover - I expect we all like our teams most but you’ve got a weird take that you’d attack me through my strength. If you beat me it would have to be with a pretty straight forward running game. My defense is built to play in space.

Jul 18, 2024 18:29:22 GMT Blindy said:

Jul 18, 2024 18:26:42 GMT KING KID said:

I think it’s a close game. Some would even call it a 4 point game. Lamar Jackson is tasked with leading a game winning drive, but reminds the world why he truly can not handle the pressure and throws a game sealing interception.

Team UT wins 21-17.

#FeedBreece

Game sealing interception caught by Sauce Gardner.*

Jul 18, 2024 18:37:55 GMT KING KID said:

Jul 18, 2024 18:29:22 GMT Blindy said:

#FeedBreece

Game sealing interception caught by Sauce Gardner.*

1st INT in 2 years! Chase one of the very few to score on Sauce year 1(Controversy IIRC it was on a defensive switch lapse)!

I’m definitely winning on a late game INT to Queen when Lamar tries to squeeze one into Andrews.