[2024] Week 0 - Matchup Of the Week

[SageBow]

Adding a new piece to my weekly rotation. Before games each week there will be a Matchup of the Week Post. After games, I'll run Player of the Week as usual, voting and then interview to follow. In future MOTW posts, there will be a voting option to see who the public thinks won the battle.

 

Week 0 Matchup of the Week

TE Torrey Barbato, SR, Notre Dame vs SS Roko Souza, JR, Navy

 

Torrey Barbato is one of the top players in @LordLittlebutt's Fighting Irish Offense. Meanwhile, Roko Souza is the pride and joy of @SyndaKyt's Navy defensive back room. Plan on seeing a lot of action between these two as Notre Dame takes on Navy this Saturday Morning in Annapolis. Last year as a junior, Barbato had over 900 yards receiving and looks to be in an even better spot in the offense with returning quarterback Izaah Plawecki being one of the top signal callers in the nation. Souza on the other side was the lone 5* strong safety in the 2022 recruiting class and has developed into one of the best true juniors in the country. After a sophomore campaign of 54 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 FR, and 5 PDs, Souza has come out and said his focus this year is to grab more interceptions and make turnovers happen.

 

Looking at the tape, these are two extremely well matched athletes. While Barbato has the size advantage, almost 30 lbs heavier than Souza, I expect a lot of contact between these two all day long. Souza is a remarkable defensive back with great coverage skills, and it'll take every bit of Barbato's large frame and precise route running to be able to complete receptions this Saturday. Barbato is slightly faster and slightly stronger, but really there's not enough there to separate this one on one match up. Souza will have his task cut out ahead of him, but he's one of the few guys nationally that will be able to take the fight to Barbato.

 

Prediction - Barbato gets the better of this matchup Saturday. He's got a near supernatural connection with Plawecki and its a tough ask for any safety to go one on one with Barbato for 4 quarters. 

[SageBow]

Testing some stuff out with Dall-E

TE Torrey Barbato

 

SS Roko Souza