Blogging The Boys
Every week here at Blogging the Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. If you want to get a jump on who might help America’s Team in the years to come, this is your weekly college football guide. (For teams previously covered in other weeks, we move down the depth chart, giving you more insight on other draft candidates)
Autzen Stadium is about to sound like a two-minute drill with the national spotlight parked in Eugene as number three Oregon hosts number seven Indiana in a game that feels every bit like playoff game. Think Cowboys logic here, win the edges, protect the rock, and own third down.
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers need to stay on schedule in the noise and land a couple of explosive plays to keep pace. The Ducks’ blueprint is much clearer by operating on third down, avoid the turnover bug, and score when in the red zone. It’s Autzen loud, it’s heavyweight fast, and it’s decided in the margins. Prediction for this game is Oregon 35, Indiana 27.
Fernando Mendoza, QB
Think of Mendoza as the guy with the clicker, he keeps the offense on time and punishes any busted coverage. In Curt Cignetti’s scheme he’s the efficiency engine with quick decisions, quiet feet, ball out on time with just enough juice downfield. If the offensive line stays clean and the explosives keep popping, you’re talking early-round buzz, exactly the sort of timing-and-anticipation passer Cowboys fans love to see.
Elijah Sarratt, WR
Sarratt is the “Dak-friendly” type big receiver with a huge frame, stronger hands, and veteran pacing that turns 50/50 balls into 70/30s. He wins with body positioning on slants, digs, and back-shoulders, then churns extra yards like a tight end in a wideout’s jersey. Not a pure burner, but he stacks corners with savvy and punishes soft zones who also steals a few red-zone fades. Plug-and-play chain-mover with Sunday traits.
Dillon Thieneman, S
Thieneman is the center-fielder Cowboys fans always beg for at safety with calm eyes, clean angles, and click-and-close range that shuts the lights on deep shots. He’s a take-the-ball, not just tackle-the-catch safety and communicates coverages, erases crossers, and keeps the roof on without needing constant help. More glide than sledgehammer, but if the catch-point nastiness keeps climbing, you’re looking at a plug-and-play single-high safety who lets the defense sleep easy over the top.
Iapani Laloulu, C
“Poncho” Laloulu is the kind of plug-and-play pivot Cowboys fans love who’s thick through the hips, steady with the calls, and downright mean on double teams. He’s bounced between guard and center and now steers an Oregon front that rarely leaks pressure.He maintains clean...
