If you have not joined Squad Blitz yet, there is still plenty of time! The Walk-On Redshirts are sponsoring a giveaway this week where the winner will get a pair of Ban Fall Weddings whiskey glasses. If you are not familiar with the contests, you pick 2 passing attacks, 2 rushing attacks and 1 defense from a selected slate of games. You are given 1000 Squad Blitz Bucks and each team is assigned a value and you have to stay under 1000. Whichever team ends up with the most points is the winner. I have compiled what I believe to be the best lineup for this contest and here’s how I would select my team.
Passing
Baylor ($290) – Sawyer Robertson threw for 419 yards against Auburn last weekend with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The passing attack was lighting up the skies while the rushing attack went missing. SMU is another tough opponent where I think Baylor is going to have to pass the ball again in order to give themselves a chance to win. Take it with a grain of salt but East Texas A&M passed for 244 yards on SMU in their blowout loss last week. Most of their yards came in the second half when the game was already out of hand. Robertson is one of the better quarterbacks in the country and Baylor is going to rely on his arm. If the Bears are going to upset SMU then it will be on the shoulders of their quarterback. Splurge here to secure a strong passing attack.
Oklahoma ($125) – Taking Oklahoma here is a pure value pick because of the upside John Mateer presents. Mateer completed 30 of 37 passes for 397 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He did play Illinois State and Michigan is a significantly tougher opponent. Even so, even if Michigan has the best defense in the whole country, getting Mateer at only $125 is a bargain. Michigan’s passing defense was not great last year but they have improved for the 2025 season. They allowed New Mexico to pass for 217 yards but the Wolverines did force three interceptions. I do not think Mateer is going to be in for a career day but the low price is what makes this pick work.
Rushing
Michigan ($220) – Michigan’s offense is already better than last year. I know they played New Mexico so we need to temper our expectations a little. The Wolverines ran for 201 yards against the Lobos headlined by Justice Haynes rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Michigan’s offensive identity is going to rely on the rushing attack and with a trip to Norman this weekend, Sherrone Moore is going to lean on his running backs. Bryce Underwood is a talented quarterback but he is still a true freshman. Moore is not going to put Underwood in a position where they rely on his arm to win the game. If Michigan wins this game it is because the rushing attack has a strong performance. I am picking the Wolverines here because they will be relying on the running game and maybe we can even sneak in a few yards from Underwood.
Kansas ($135) – In two games Kansas has already rushed for 492 yards and two touchdowns. We are going to take the stats with caution because Fresno State and Wagner are not world beaters by any means. Missouri is going to be a much more difficult rushing defense. Daniel Hishaw Jr. is not Devin Neal but he has been effective in limited action so far. Jalon Daniels also provides a secondary rushing attack as he has 11 rushes for 65 yards through two games. I expect Daniels to use his legs more against Missouri to make plays and improvise where he can. We do not know much about Missouri’s defense because they played Central Arkansas and won 61 to 6. Kansas being just $135 and having a rushing quarterback is a value play and a chance for high numbers if Daniels has a big day.
Defense
Vanderbilt ($150) – We are taking Vanderbilt as our defense because I have no faith in Virginia Tech’s offense. Vanderbilt’s defense did enough against Charleston Southern to show me I can take them in this situation. The Commodores only allowed three points in their week one matchup. Kyron Drones on the other hand was downright terrible against South Carolina. He completed just 15 of 35 passes and also threw two interceptions. South Carolina has a strong defense and a talented edge rusher in Dylan Stewart so it is understandable Drones would struggle. I have a hard time believing he bounces back even if this game is in Lane Stadium. I expect Diego Pavia and his team to get up early which will force Drones to throw the ball and from there the game could unravel. I am expecting multiple turnovers from the Vanderbilt defense this weekend.
Recap
Passing: Baylor ($290), Oklahoma ($125)
Rushing: Michigan ($220), Kansas ($135)
Defense: Vanderbilt ($150)
This only puts us at $920 so you have room to play if you want to go higher on defense or with one of the passing or rushing attacks. I like the matchups we have and think we can get strong days out of our picks. Make sure to sign up and have a chance to win some Walk-On Redshirts merch! Let me know your picks and which of mine you disagree with. Best of luck this weekend!
