KeSean Carter – Syndication Server

2023 NFL Draft: 15 players to watch during the Houston vs. UTSA matchup

Fifteen 2023 NFL Draft prospects for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch during the Houston vs. UTSA matchup

The 2022-23 college football season is upon, and with the NFL season a little under a week away, the intertwining of draft talk and prospect watching will now commence.

Philadelphia has a ton of NFL draft assets for 2023 and 2024.

With Howie Roseman looking to inject even more youth into a talented roster, this college football season will provide the best overall group of talent to enter the league in years.

There are plenty of opening weekend matchups to watch, and one intriguing showcase will pit the Houston Cougars against the UTSA Roadrunners at the Alamodome.

Houston is looking towards a potential berth in the College Football Playoffs, and they’ll look to avoid a potential stumbling block in this road date against the reigning Conference USA champion Roadrunners.

Head coach Jeff Traylor has a winning formula with UTSA, and the contest could be a shootout, with two talented quarterbacks under center for both teams.

The Cougars went 12-2 last year and are ranked inside the Top 25 to open the season for the first time since 2016.

UTSA is also coming off a successful season, going undefeated in its first 11 games and finishing with a 12-2 overall record.

With the kickoff scheduled for Saturday afternoon, here are 15 prospects to watch on both teams.

Texas vs Texas Tech: Wide Receiver Tale of the Tape

A look at the tale of the tape for the wide receivers. Who has the better group between Texas and Texas Tech?

The Texas and Texas Tech game on Saturday is sure to feature some teams that will throw the ball around the yard. Texas Tech has been known for the ‘Air Raid’ offense for the better part of the last two decades dating back to Mike Leach. The Longhorns are known more for running the football over the years but with Mike Yurcich calling the shots, we could see a lot more passing than we have come accustomed to over the years. Against UTEP, the Longhorns accounted for 481 yards passing.

In this version of the “Tale of the Tape”, the focus is on the pass catchers and more importantly the wide receivers. Joshua Moore and KeSean Carter led their teams in receiver in their opening wins to kick off the 2020 college football season. Which one could have the last laugh on Saturday afternoon?

Leading receivers for each team on Saturday, Sept. 12

Joshua Moore	vs	KeSean Carter
6-1	Ht	5-11
170	Wt	190
Rs-So	Year	Jr
8	Targets	7
6	Rec	6
75	Catch %	85.7
127	Yards	86
92	YAC	52
1	TDs	1
81.3	PFF Grade	87.7

These two teams will throw the ball to more than just one receiver, so it isn’t just about Moore vs Carter. For the Longhorns they hope to have Jake Smith ready to go on Saturday along with Tarik Black, Brennan Eagles and the new sensation Kai Money.

For Texas Tech it starts with T.J. Vasher on the outside along with Erik Ezukanma, Dalton Rigdon and Ja’Lynn Polk. Their group combined for 247 yards receiving, without adding in Carter’s numbers. If the Longhorns don’t get the run game going in this one, we could see a lot of yards racked up through the air.

Notable receivers career numbers

Tarik Black	Brennan Eagles	vs	TJ Vasher	Erik Ezukanma
6-3	6-4	Ht	6-6	6-3
217	229	Wt	215	220
Sr	Jr	Yr	Sr	Rs-So
45	34	Rec	135	48
587	592	Yards	1,835	778
3	7	TDs	19	6

Texas Football opponent preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Next Saturday the Texas Longhorns open up conference play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock. We preview the opponent.

The first conference opponent for the Texas Longhorns will be the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams are coming off wins in their opening game of the year. They just did it in two different manners. While the Longhorns’ game was never close, the Red Raiders held on for dear life for a two-point win at home against FCS opponent Houston Baptist.

Last year, the Red Raiders started 2-0 before their season began to come unraveled. Wins over Montana State and UTEP by a combined 87-13 led many to believe the Matt Wells era was getting off to a hot start after relieving Kliff Kingsbury of his duties.

A 28-14 loss to Arizona in Week 3 was not the only bad part of the third game. Starting quarterback Alan Bowman was sidelined for the season following that game. The Red Raiders won only two more games following the loss of their quarterback.

Tech beat Oklahoma State at home and West Virginia on the road. It would play some Big 12 teams close but lost every one possession game. Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and TCU won by a combined 11 points. Many felt if Alan Bowman had been healthy, Tech could have won at least a couple of those contests.

Pages: 1234