Welcome to Between the Numbers — where we look at what the Hudl IQ data tells us about what to expect in the unexpected world of college football.
Week 2 is here, and it should be a great litmus test. We’re going to dive into three matchups — and the data behind their most intriguing players — to get you ready. This week: Can Texas slow down Jeremiah Smith? Pitt’s Mason Heintschel makes a statement. And is this Memphis defensive lineman the best in the Group of 6?
The Matchup
Ohio State vs. Texas
Ryan Day and Steve Sarkisian.
Julian Sayin and Arch Manning.
Two of the sport’s behemoths squaring off in primetime. Need we say more?
A season ago, these two teams met in Columbus. The game didn’t feature fireworks. Instead, we were treated to a defensive slog, with both teams combining for just 21 total points. Could this year’s matchup buck that trend?
On one side stands Texas - littered with stars like Manning and tantalizing transfers Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown, and others. In Week 1, Texas blasted Texas State 59-7, barely breaking a sweat.
Then there’s Ohio State. The Buckeyes have an elite quarterback in Sayin, the sport’s best wideout in Jeremiah Smith and a reloaded defense after numerous NFL departures.
Smith is Sayin’s favorite deep route target. And Smith’s speciality, outside of making ridiculous catches, is burning defenders deep.
This game might be decided in the Texas secondary. Ohio State has the ultimate cheat code in Smith. He’ll look to go deep and break open the game.
There’s no stopping Smith. You can merely hope to limit his production. Texas’ ability to do that might make all the difference in winning and losing on Saturday.
Get your popcorn ready. This matchup has Game of the Year potential written all over it.
The Radar
Pitt QB Mason Heintschel
Take a bow, Mason Heintschel!
ICYMI, over the weekend, Heintschel dazzled in Pitt’s 59-14 season-opening win over what is projected to be a conference-title-challenging Miami Ohio team. He finished 31-of41 for 456 yards and seven touchdowns to seven different receivers. Can’t get much better than that!
The radar doesn’t lie: He’s nearly maxing out every relevant metric.
It’s impossible to do that every single week, but it does make for a wildly entertaining Performance Radar after one game.
Heinstschel received a lot of great buzz out of fall camp for his leadership and elevated playmaking abilities. Perhaps his Week 1 play is a sign of good things to come for Pitt’s offense this season.
The Player to Watch
Memphis DL Elijah Kinsler
Elijah Kinsler is wrecking opposing offensive lines, and might be the best defensive lineman in the Group of 6.
It’s early in the season, but Kinsler is already generating good havoc on the line of scrimmage and in the backfield.
In the season-opener against UNLV, Kinsler tallied eight impact plays, seven havoc plays, six pressures and 2.5 sacks. He’s the ultimate disruptor, and someone who is quickly making a name for himself.
This weekend, Memphis squares off against Boise State, one of the perennial favorites to crash the College Football Playoff party.
If Kinsler has another big game, Memphis has a chance to win one on the Smurf Turf. And if the Tigers win, they might be in the driver’s seat in the G6 CFP race.
