[2024] Week 13 - Matchup of the Week

SageBow · July 15

Maybe the most lopsided Matchup of the Week so far this year in Wisconsin's 27-0 drubbing of Oregon last Saturday evening. With two weeks left in the regular season, we're leaving the linemen matchups behind to highlight one of the nation's most versatile defenders taking on an NFL talent running back.

Week 13 Matchup of the Week

RB Tim Blair, SR, NCST vs OLB Chi Chi Colome, SR, UNC

This is going to be one phenomenal matchup. @Tryggr's star defender Chi Chi Colome, if you don't know him, you best learn now. This guy has been everywhere for the Tar Heels. He lines up at linebacker, he lines up at safety, he's a defensive coordinator's dream. Meanwhile, @Dean and his wrecking ball mentality has one of the fastest running backs in the nation, the ACC's #4 leading rusher Tim Blair.

Can anyone stop Blair? The speedster is averaging 8.42 YPC this season on 137 attempts. That's 6th best in the nation for any player with over 100 carries, and of those 6 players, he's 2nd among true running backs. 9 Touchdowns on the ground, 2 through the air, over 1300 all purpose yards. Blair is the main man of the Wolf Pack show, and NC State has everything to play for. They're traveling to Chapel Hill with a 5-6 record knowing that a win here will send these seniors bowling one last time. Tim Blair has to have a big game for this team.

But man, UNC has a huge chip on their shoulders as well after being upset 20-13 by Duke last Saturday. It's senior night, and for Chi Chi Colome, he's about to go ballistic. The Tar Heel's leader in Tackles, TFLs, #2 in Sacks with 8.5, and even 2 interceptions to put him in third on the team, is there a better all around defender in this conference than Colome? This is a big game player. Week 7 against Pitt, Colome has 8 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1.0 Sacks. Week 9 against a super talented Georgia Tech offense, Colome goes nuclear with an 8 tackle, 2 TFL, 2.0 Sack performance. A week later against a ranked Virginia team, Colome brings it once more with a 12.5 Tackle, 1.5 TFL showing. This guy is everywhere, and knowing that a playoff spot may be on the line, he'll have to step up to the plate to take on Blair and the Wolf Pack.

Prediction - Tim Blair gets his yards, but Colome shows out and the Heels win big.