[2024] Week 5 - Matchup of the Week

[SageBow]

A seemingly tight Week 4 Matchup of the Week is in the books as #4 Tulsa took down North Texas 51-24. Vote for who you think won that clash as we head into a Mountain West battle for Week 5

Week 5 Matchup of the Week

OT Rodney Ladler, SR, UNM vs DE Justin Murton, SR, CSU

Time for a big nasty battle, our first OL vs DL of this series comes as undefeated #15 New Mexico travels up to Fort Collins to take on the 2-3 Colorado State Rams this Saturday night. DE Justin Murton has been a star for @Bellwood's Colorado State, with 19 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks through 5 games in 2024. However he's going up against one of the best left tackles in the country with @DarthJarJar's Lobos's OT Rodney Ladler and his 7 pancakes with 0 sacks allowed. This is going to be a heavy weight fight between one of the best run blockers and one of the best run stuffers in the nation.

Murton might be the most underrated edge defender in the nation, even after posting a junior statline of 50 tackles, 21 TFLs and 7 sacks in 2023. The former 4 star prospect has been a monster as an upper classman, and he proves it with incredible technique and just raw strength. If he puts his mitts on a ball carrier, that guy is going down. Ladler similarly is a top offensive tackle, with 13 pancakes and 1 sack allowed in 844 junior snaps. What Ladler brings to the table is very similar to Murton, bully ball strength and excellent feet to push run sets and block pass sets. This is going to be awesome.

Between the two, its tough to make any kind of prediction. I truly have no idea who wins this one. Both have similar reaches, Murton is only 6 lbs lighter, and both have shown an excellent track record of dominance. I lean Ladler slightly just because the Lobos have better players around him, but wouldn't be surprised one way or another at the result. NFL GMs are going to be at the edge of their seat for this awesome showdown.

Week 0 - TE Torrey Barbato, SR, Notre Dame vs SS Roko Souza, JR, Navy

Week 1 - RB James Livingston, SO, VT vs ILB Austin Rosario, SR, TEX

Week 2 - TE Tavon Thomas, SR, FAU vs SS Joshua Martin, SR, MIAO

Week 3 - WR Hayes Edwards, (SR), TENN vs CB Freddie Koch, SR, LU

Week 4 - RB Rishard Ward, (SR), UNT vs ILB Jordan Virgin, (SR), TULS

[DarthJarJar]

Unfortunately for Colorado State, Ladler is just better and should be the #1 overall pick come draft day, so I know where my completely unbiased money is going.

[npklemm]

I'm surprised Rishard Ward is winning the Poll. Sure he had a long TD, but other than that he touched the ball like 5 times. UNT got blown out by 27, so that one TD didn't even matter in the end.

[Bellwood]

Love this!