3 college football games Bengals fans have to watch in Week 6
By Glenn Adams
Week 6 of the college football season is here. Things are starting to come into focus as far as the playoff contenders are concerned. Things are also becoming clearer for who the NFL prospects are going to be. Once again, here are three games that Cincinnati Bengals fans should watch to get a head start on the scouting season.
Iowa vs. Penn State
The standout player for the Iowa Hawkeyes to keep your eyes on is Tyler Linderbaum. Bengals center Trey Hopkins got off to a bit of a rough start but he has been able to right the ship to an extent.
We were high on Trey Hill coming out of Georgia the past draft. The sixth-rounder made it possible for the Bengals to on from veteran Billy Price. As Stripe Hype’s Leigh Oleszczak points out, if Hopkins struggles become an issue, Hill could get a shot.
It would be a good thing to know what he can do in the regular season. Hill performed admirably with his chances in the preseason.
Linderbaum, as its stands now, looks like he will be a first-round pick. CBS and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the ninth overall best prospect. Mel Kiper Jr. has Linderbaum ranked him 16th.
According to PFF, Linderbaum has allowed two sacks, two QB hits, and two QB pressures this season. If he can keep those totals where they are, he will surely be a first-round choice. He could end up being a target for Cincinnati.
While your Bengals eyes should start the play on Linderbaum, they should quickly shift to Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker. Brisker is ranked 39th overall by PFF. Kiper lists him as the second-best safety in the nation by Kiper. That is one spot behind Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton and one spot ahead of Arkansas’ Jalen Catalon.
Brisker is a lot like Catalon in the sense that he is very versatile. Brisker could be a great target in the second round.
Unfortunately, the questions around the safety position will persist as long as Bates is not locked up long-term.
Other Hawkeyes to keep an eye on:
- Matt Hankins (CB)
- Jestin Jacobs (LB): Second round grade
- Zach Vanvalkenburg (DL)
- Tyler Goodson (RB)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. (WR)
More Nittany Lions hoping to get their names called in April:
- Jahan Dotson (WR): the most notable Penn State player.
- Rasheed Walker (LT): strictly an LT, so maybe not a target for a future RT for the Bengals. But hey, versatility.
- Tariq Castro-Fields (CB)
- Brandon Smith (LB): possible second-round pick.
- PJ Mustipher (DT)
- Derrick Tangelo (DT)
- Arnold Ebiketie (DE): possible second-round pick.