Counting down to the end of the college regular season and there are still 25+ teams with a chance to make the 12- seat college football championship bracket. How many Cinderella’s will get the invite?
Or will it be just the one outsider amongst a bevy of SEC and Big10 teams?
These are the names/games TST will be monitoring, but there are dozens of others in action. Tell us about your favorite matchups, prospects, or teams in the forum.
#10 Notre Dame (7-2) @ #24 Pitt (7-2)
9 a.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: Both Notre Dame losses were of the last minute variety, so they’re still pressing for a Top 4 bid. The Irish use a deep rotation on defense, many are underclassmen, and all have draft grades. Senior ILB Drayk Bowen leads the youth, ILB Jaiden Ausberry (SO), S Adon Shuler (SO), E’s Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (SO) and Boubacar Traore (SO), and S Tae Johnson (FR). Pitt closes with three tough games, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Miami, but a sweep would give them an argument for Week 1 bye in the playoffs. Lose today and the Panthers are likely out of the playoffs.
South Florida (7-2) @ Navy (7-2)
9 a.m. PST on ESPN2
Eyes on: South Florida is currently in the actual playoff bracket at #12, but must win. QB Byrum Brown (SR) is a sneaky good NFL prospect. On defense, ILB Mac Harris (SR) and CB Jarvis Lee (JR) are physical ballhawks and on the fringe of being drafted. Navy can replace the Bulls with the victory, QB Blake Horvath helms the option offense with over 2000 of total offense. Eli Heidenreich is the run/catch option.
#4 Alabama (8-1) @ #12 Oklahoma (7-2)
12:30 p.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: How ‘Bama’s offensive line holds up against Oklahoma’s ferocious defense. LT Kaydn Proctor (JR), LG Kam Dewberry (SR) and C Parker Brailsford (JR) all have draftable grades and it appears RG Jaeden Roberts (SR) has won back his spot. He was a pre-season early/mid prospect that struggled. Oklahoma is currently in at #11 of the playoff poll, but a third loss (even in the SEC) should kill their chances. One time top prospect QB John Mateer (JR) has struggled since a mid-season hand injury.
Iowa (6-3) @ #17 USC (7-2)
12:30 p.m. PST on BIG10 Network
Eyes on: Iowa retains an outside shot at the playoffs (currently ranked #21), but needs to run the table vs. USC, Michigan State, and Nebraska to have a chance. They have four offensive linemen who have draftable grades, C Logan Wilson (SR), G’s Beau Stephens (SR) and Kade Pieper (SO), and T Gennings Dunker (SR). USC (currently ranked #17) is in the same boat, needing to run the table vs. Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA. The Trojans have four prospects that have early/mid draft grades, WR’s Makai Lemon (JR) and Ja’kobi Lane (JR) and S’s Kamari Ramsey (JR) and Bishop Fitzgerald (SR).
#5 Georgia (8-1) @ #10 Texas (7-2)
4:30 p.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: First-year starter, QB Gunner Stockton (JR) has put together a stellar season and is draft eligible, although he has garnered little draft buzz. The Bulldog defense has top prospects at every level, DT Christen Miller (JR), LB’s CJ Allen (JR) and Raylen Wilson (JR), and CB Daylan Everette (SR). Texas loses and they are out of playoff contention. A big effort by QB Arch Manning (SO) could re-kindle draft prospects, not only his, but all of UT’s offensive possibilities.
Other games with interesting prospects
Arizona (6-3) @ Cincinnati (7-2) 9 a.m. PST on FS1
Eyes on: Under-sized Wildcat QB Noah Fifita (JR) is a threat running or throwing with 2200+ yards of total offense. Arizona boasts three draftable secondary players, S’s Dalton Johnson (SR) and Genesis Smith (JR), and CB Treydan Stukes (SR), Cincy must win to stay in the Big12 race.
#14 Virginia (8-2) @ Duke (5-4) 12:30 PST on ESPN2
Eyes on: Virginia is in the thick of ACC championship race. RB J’Mari Taylor (SR) is a run/catch threat. QB Chandler Morris (SR) throws to leading receiver Trell Harris (SR), with Cam Ross and Jahmal Endrine (SR) right behind. Duke can score with anybody behind QB Darian Mensah, RB Nate Sheppard (FR), and WR Cooper Barkate (SR). On defense, E Vincent Anthony (SR) and CB Chandler Rivers (SR) get draftable grades.
#15 Utah (7-2) @ Baylor (5-4) 4 p.m. on ESPN2
Eyes on: Utah hangs onto hopes of a Big12 Championship and berth in college playoffs, where they are currently ranked #13. The Utes have three offensive lineman prospects. mid/late C Jaren Kump (SR) joins two underclassmen, T’s Caleb Lomu (SO) and Spencer Fano (JR). Both are Top 10 pick possibilities. Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson is one of the leading NCAA passer’s and will be drafted. He throws to mid/late picks TE Micael Trigg (SR) and WR Josh Cameron (SR).
#12 BYU (8-1) @ TCU (6-3) 7:15 PST on ESPN
Eyes on: BYU must take care of business with three straight road games to close out the regular season and get into the Big12 Championship game and then onto the college football playoffs (currently in at #12). Of TCU’s three losses, two have come by late field goals. The ‘Toads have a handful of prospects led by QB Josh Hoover (JR) and S Bud Clark (SR).
