Front Porch FootballFPF Draft Central Game of the Week
By Harris Oates
This week’s featured game starts the season off with a bang, as the #16 Auburn Tigers will meet the #11 Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium. Both teams are returning 1st Round Locks from the 2018 draft, as Oregon’s Justin Herbert (QB) and Auburn’s Derrick Brown (DL) will go head to head in this promising matchup.
Top Prospects to Watch
Justin Herbert – Quarterback – Oregon
Herbert is currently rated as my top QB in the 2020 class, and potentially would’ve been selected in the first round before Dwayne Haskins in 2019. Herbert lost his top WR Dillon Mitchell, but gained grad transfer Juwan Johnson, a starter from Penn State. He remains extremely well protected up front, but we will see how he handles Auburn’s talented defense.
Derrick Brown – DT – Auburn
The 6’5” 320 lb monstrosity returns to Auburn to wreak havoc in the SEC. Brown elected to stay an additional year and now has a legitimate chance to be taken #1 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Brown has played against many talented offensive lines (2018 Washington, Alabama, Georgia) but this may be the best one yet.
Boobie Whitlow – RB – Auburn
Although he may be flying under the radar at this point, Whitlow could very well be at the top of the class in December. The redshirt sophomore overtook the starting role from Kam Martin in 2018 and enters this season as the center point of this offense. Whitlow has NFL size and elusiveness and boasts having limited wear and tear throughout his career – an underrated statistic that scouts love for the increasingly violent position (Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders).
Oregon’s Offensive Line
It is rare for an offensive line outside of the state of Wisconsin has this many top tier prospects, but Oregon’s line boasts size and quickness worthy of high praise. Senior’s Calvin Throckmorton (OT), Shane Lemieux (G) and Jake Hanson (C) will all get the opportunity to play on the highest stage against the best test imaginable.
Top Matchups
Auburn’s Front 7 vs. Oregon’s OL
Every NFL scout in the world will be tuned into this matchup. Besides Brown, Auburn also returns a dominant front 7 featuring Nick Coe, Marlon Davidson, Big Kat Bryant and Tyrone Truesdale. K.J. Britt will take over the linebackers and seems to have become the alpha of the Auburn defense following the departure of Deshaun Davis. 5-star freshman linebacker Owen Pappoe has had an amazing camp and continues to amaze coaches with his potential.
Juwan Johnson vs. Auburn Secondary
The nations top Grad Transfer from Penn State will look to pick up where he left off against an experience SEC Secondary. Johnson is a big bodied, prototypical receiver who will amaze scouts with his ability to make big plays after the catch. It will be interesting to see how he fits into this Oregon offense, which typically favors the smaller, speedier options. Auburn returns its entire secondary besides Jamel Dean (Drafted in the 3rd round by Tampa Bay). Noah Igbinoghene will look to start off the season proving why he might be the best cornerback in the SEC.
Troy Dye vs. Auburn Offense
Oregon doesn’t have much to brag about on defense besides Troy Dye, one of the top LB’s in the nation. He is a do it all type, old fashioned Linebacker who can line up anywhere on the field. Troy Dye will be a key factor in the success of Auburn’s offense and the outcome of the game. True freshman Quarterback Bo Nix, an in-state 5 star, looks to take over the offense and show the world exactly what he can handle. Don’t be surprised if Malzahn plays Gatewood as well, especially if Nix starts off slow.
Prediction – Auburn 20, Oregon 17
Both teams flash a lot of star power, but the Auburn defense will prove why it is one of the most talented groups in the nation. Along with adding a fresh crop of young wide receivers (to go along with newly developed star Seth Williams) Auburn replaced both of their biggest departures with 5-star prospects (Stidham and Davis). Oregon has a great offensive line and a talented prospect at QB, but the nearly identical team did finish near the bottom of a less than stellar PAC 12 in 2018. Both teams will be much improved, but I think this one goes to Auburn in a low scoring nail biter.
