Good chance to separate the contenders from pretenders this week before getting into the meat of conference schedules. South Carolina edge Dylan Stewart, expected to be a Round 1 pick, had a meltdown on the sideline last week and was facing disciplinary action. He is back at practice this week, no word for today’s game against the Florida Gators.
These are the 10 games that I will be monitoring, but feel free to weigh in on any game or prospects that strike your fancy.
All times PDT
#7 Indiana (5-0)
@ Nebraska (5-0)
9am on FOX
Eyes on: Josh Hoover was a Texas gunslinger before settling in the upper midwest for his senior year and has yet to throw an interception. The Hoosiers have C Bray Lynch, G Drew Evans, and T Carter Smith paving the way. Nebraska runs the football almost 40 times per game behind jitterbug QB Anthony Colandrea, and RB’s Jamal Rule, Mekhi Nelson, and Isaiah Mozee.
Wake Forest (4-1) @ North Carolina St. (3-2)
9am on CW
Eyes on: A friend of the family’s son plays LB for Wake, Frankie Cusano, he was on Pro Football Network’s All ACC team last week. North Carolina State lost a couple of tough one’s early, but has prospects QB CJ Bailey, RB Duke Scott, and left tackle Jaccarius Peak.
Texas A&M (3-2) @ #14 Missouri (4-1)
9am on ABC
Eyes on: Texas A&M is trending down after an offensive line re-build. QB Marcel Reed and RB Ruben Owens run hot and cold. Missouri needs to win this one to prove the belong at the top of the SEC. QB Austin Simmons, RB Jamal Roberts, WR Cayden Lee, and T Cayden Green are all top prospects.
#1 Texas (4-0) vs Oklahoma (2-2) ( @ Dallas, TX.)
12:30 pm on ABC
Eyes on: Throw the records out, this should be old school, hard-nosed football. Texas has E Collin Simmons, DT’s Maraad Eaton and Hero Kanu, along with S Jelani McDonald. OU counters with DT David Stone, E Taylor Wein, and LB’s Cole Sullivan and Owen Heinecke.
#21 UCLA (4-0) @ #13 Oregon (3-1)
12:30 pm on CBS
Eyes on: Is UCLA for real? New coach brought a bunch of his best players with him from James Madison including RB Wayne Knight, WR Landen Ellis, E Sahir West, and CB DJ Barksdale. No decisive word on whether QB Dante Moore will be active, if not Dylan Raiola will again take the Ducks reins.
#22 Houston (4-1) @ Kansas St. (3-1)
12:30pm on FOX
Eyes on: Houston has a wide-open offense led by QB Conner Weigman, RB Makhi Hughes , TE Patrick Overmyer and WR’s Amare Thomas and Trent Walker. Kansas State features dangerous QB Avery Johnson, he’s one of the best runners in the NCAA and can throw the ball as well.
#10 LSU (4-1) @ Kentucky (4-1)
4pm on ESPN
Eyes on: The LSU offense is triggered by QB Sam Leavitt and they have a strong dense. E’s Jordan Ross and Princeton Umanmielen provide pass rush, along with a strong S unit of Ty Benefield, Dashawn Spears, and Tamarcus Cooley. Kentucky QB Kenny Minchey is efficient, but the Wildcat have three RB’s CJ Baxter, Jason Patterson, and Jovontae Barnes. The will want to run behind a big strong offensive line.
#2 Georgia (5-0) @ #6 Alabama (5-0)
4:30pm on ABC
Eyes on: Georgia has ground down opponents on offense and features LB Chris Cole, CB Ellis Robinson, and S KJ Bolsen on a dominating defense. All are early NFL draft candidates. ‘Bama relies on dual threat QB Keelon Russell and a bevy of young. talented running backs. DE/DT Devan Thompkins is flying up draft boards.
#19 USC (5-1) @ Penn St. (3-2)
4:30pm on NBC
Eyes on: The Trojans have three offensive lineman with draftable grades, C Tobias Raymond, Alani Noa, and T Elijah Page. Penn State boasts defenders LB Tony Rojas, S Marcus Neal, and CB AJ Harris.
#23 Boise St. (4-1) @ Fresno St. (4-1)
7:30pm on CW
Eyes on: The winner has the inside track to the playoffs. Boise has RB Dylan Riley, TE Matt Wagner, and E Jaden Virgin-Morgan. The Bulldogs offense is plodding, but WR Josiah Freeman and RB Rayshon Luke are explosive.
