Post by Uncle on Nov 11, 2021 16:23:36 GMT -6
Three more weeks left in the college season and there are some bigtime matchups this weekend with CFP implications. Plus, there's yet another 2022 QB "duel" - this time on Thursday night on ESPN.
Thursday, 11/11
North Carolina @ #21 Pittsburgh - 7:30PM ET
At 3-3 in the Conference, it's still mathematically possible for NC to catch Pitt, who's 4-1 in the Conference, but Virginia and Miami are also in-the-mix at 2 losses. So while this game does have some ACC Championship Game ramifications, the bigger story here is North Carolina QB Sam Howell vs Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. At the start of the season, Howell was considered a 2022 Rd 1 prospect while Pickett was probably more Day 3...but 10 games into the season, roles are reversed and Pickett is one of the QB "darling" stories of the 2021 college season while Howell has slid down boards to Day 2 status. Pitt runs a Pro-Style offense so I'm more interested in watching Pickett in this game as I do think he'll translate better to NFL teams than Howell, who's basically Baker Mayfield-lite.
Friday, 11/12
#5 Cincinnati @ South Florida - 6:00PM ET
I don't think anyone will have to worry about an upset here with South Florida at 2-7. In CFP terms, Cincinnati needs to really run up some "style" points in primetime. But this game isn't worth watching for CFP implications - there are some really decent draft prospects worth paying attention to on Cincinnati's team, starting with their defense. You'll want to watch DE Myjai Sanders, who had a great 2020 but I think is having a so-so 2021, and CB Ahmad Gardner who is definitely a Rd 1 CB prospect who should be on the Vikes radar. Of course, Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder is a 2022 QB prospect, but I'm not impressed and think he's basically another Day 2 Kellen Mond clone.
Saturday, 11/13
#6 Michigan @ Penn State - Noon ET
The BIG10 "gauntlet" continues @ Happy Valley and Penn State can spoil the party. The Wolverines received a gift on Tues night when the CFP Committee ranked them ahead of Michigan St, even though Mich St won their matchup (definitely a head-scratcher). If Michigan wins, they would likely leapfrog #5 Cincinnati since the Bearcats play a lowly 2-7 team and the Nittany Lions are a far better team. If Penn State's offense can score some points they have the defense to give Michigan some problems. I can definitely see Penn State crushing the Wolverines hopes of any CFP spot.
#8 Oklahoma @ #13 Baylor - Noon ET
The Sooners have been living on the edge the entire season and sooner or later it's going to catch up with them, just like it did to Wake Forest last weekend. Oklahoma has a great freshman QB and have been ridin' his play since he took over for Rattler, but Waco is a tough place to win and the Bears are 4-0 at home this season. The BIG XII may be officially eliminated from Playoff contention after this one.
#1 Georgia @ Tennessee - 3:30PM ET
The Bulldogs haven't played a close game since their season-opening win vs Clemson. The Volunteers play an up-tempo style of football and could potentially give Georgia some fits if they can't get off the field. Even with their starting DE/OLB Anderson (a 1st Rd 2022 Draft prospect) out for the rest of the season from turning himself into police this week, they Bulldogs simply have too many 2022 Draft prospects on defense to lose this one.
#19 Purdue @ #4 Ohio State - 3:30PM ET
The Boilermakers have won two big matchups this season: @ Iowa and vs Michigan St last weekend. Even though the Buckeyes certainly are vulnerable, I'm not sure I see them losing this one. Oregon beat them earlier this season by controlling the clock and effectively running the ball which created some favorable passes - Purdue cannot run the ball and it's all about their air attack. I can see Ohio St sitting back in coverage and allowing their DL to try and create problems. I'd love to see another Purdue upset here, but I don't think it'll happen.
#11 Texas A&M @ #15 Ole Miss - 7:00PM ET
Another big SEC matchup. Ole Miss QB and 2022 1st Rd Draft prospect Matt Corral is on a bum ankle and was limited to just throwing from the pocket last weekend in their "easy" win at home vs Liberty. But Texas A&M is a different story - they are loaded with NFL talent on both sides and are on surging after their win vs Alabama earlier this season. This game is at Ole Miss, but they'll need Corral to step up bigtime to pull this off. If he does, he might go to the top of the 2022 Draft QB class, or at least competing with Pickett.
#9 Notre Dame @ Virginia - 7:30PM ET
Virginia's offense has been one of the best in the country this season, even though they don't play much defense. I can see the possibility for an upset here if Notre Dame isn't focused on the road.
#16 NC State @ #12 Wake Forest - 7:30PM ET
Since the ACC is out of any CFP playoff consideration, this game lost it's luster last weekend when North Carolina beat the Demon Deacons to end that hope. The only viewing entertainment to get is 2022 Draft prospects and I would pay attention to Wake Forest WR Jaquiri Roberson, who will likely be a sneaky-good Day 3 WR option for the Vikes to fill out the WR room.
Nevada @ #22 San Diego St - 10:30PM ET
If you're having trouble sleeping Saturday night, you'll have another chance to check out 2022 1st Rd QB prospect Carson Strong (Nevada). This will be the game for intense evaluation - on the road vs a ranked team - let's see how well Strong performs when the competition is ratcheted up a notch. And if you're real desperate for 2022 Draft prospects to watch, San Diego St has a Junior PK/P that may have a legit shot at coming out early and getting drafted; his name is Matt Araiza and he's leading D-1 in punting avg at 51.95 yds per punt thanks to legit 70/80-yd punts. Although his FG kicking avg isn't good (10-16 won't get you drafted), he can at least serve as a backup/emergency PK in the NFL while being a team's P.
Thursday, 11/11
North Carolina @ #21 Pittsburgh - 7:30PM ET
At 3-3 in the Conference, it's still mathematically possible for NC to catch Pitt, who's 4-1 in the Conference, but Virginia and Miami are also in-the-mix at 2 losses. So while this game does have some ACC Championship Game ramifications, the bigger story here is North Carolina QB Sam Howell vs Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. At the start of the season, Howell was considered a 2022 Rd 1 prospect while Pickett was probably more Day 3...but 10 games into the season, roles are reversed and Pickett is one of the QB "darling" stories of the 2021 college season while Howell has slid down boards to Day 2 status. Pitt runs a Pro-Style offense so I'm more interested in watching Pickett in this game as I do think he'll translate better to NFL teams than Howell, who's basically Baker Mayfield-lite.
Friday, 11/12
#5 Cincinnati @ South Florida - 6:00PM ET
I don't think anyone will have to worry about an upset here with South Florida at 2-7. In CFP terms, Cincinnati needs to really run up some "style" points in primetime. But this game isn't worth watching for CFP implications - there are some really decent draft prospects worth paying attention to on Cincinnati's team, starting with their defense. You'll want to watch DE Myjai Sanders, who had a great 2020 but I think is having a so-so 2021, and CB Ahmad Gardner who is definitely a Rd 1 CB prospect who should be on the Vikes radar. Of course, Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder is a 2022 QB prospect, but I'm not impressed and think he's basically another Day 2 Kellen Mond clone.
Saturday, 11/13
#6 Michigan @ Penn State - Noon ET
The BIG10 "gauntlet" continues @ Happy Valley and Penn State can spoil the party. The Wolverines received a gift on Tues night when the CFP Committee ranked them ahead of Michigan St, even though Mich St won their matchup (definitely a head-scratcher). If Michigan wins, they would likely leapfrog #5 Cincinnati since the Bearcats play a lowly 2-7 team and the Nittany Lions are a far better team. If Penn State's offense can score some points they have the defense to give Michigan some problems. I can definitely see Penn State crushing the Wolverines hopes of any CFP spot.
#8 Oklahoma @ #13 Baylor - Noon ET
The Sooners have been living on the edge the entire season and sooner or later it's going to catch up with them, just like it did to Wake Forest last weekend. Oklahoma has a great freshman QB and have been ridin' his play since he took over for Rattler, but Waco is a tough place to win and the Bears are 4-0 at home this season. The BIG XII may be officially eliminated from Playoff contention after this one.
#1 Georgia @ Tennessee - 3:30PM ET
The Bulldogs haven't played a close game since their season-opening win vs Clemson. The Volunteers play an up-tempo style of football and could potentially give Georgia some fits if they can't get off the field. Even with their starting DE/OLB Anderson (a 1st Rd 2022 Draft prospect) out for the rest of the season from turning himself into police this week, they Bulldogs simply have too many 2022 Draft prospects on defense to lose this one.
#19 Purdue @ #4 Ohio State - 3:30PM ET
The Boilermakers have won two big matchups this season: @ Iowa and vs Michigan St last weekend. Even though the Buckeyes certainly are vulnerable, I'm not sure I see them losing this one. Oregon beat them earlier this season by controlling the clock and effectively running the ball which created some favorable passes - Purdue cannot run the ball and it's all about their air attack. I can see Ohio St sitting back in coverage and allowing their DL to try and create problems. I'd love to see another Purdue upset here, but I don't think it'll happen.
#11 Texas A&M @ #15 Ole Miss - 7:00PM ET
Another big SEC matchup. Ole Miss QB and 2022 1st Rd Draft prospect Matt Corral is on a bum ankle and was limited to just throwing from the pocket last weekend in their "easy" win at home vs Liberty. But Texas A&M is a different story - they are loaded with NFL talent on both sides and are on surging after their win vs Alabama earlier this season. This game is at Ole Miss, but they'll need Corral to step up bigtime to pull this off. If he does, he might go to the top of the 2022 Draft QB class, or at least competing with Pickett.
#9 Notre Dame @ Virginia - 7:30PM ET
Virginia's offense has been one of the best in the country this season, even though they don't play much defense. I can see the possibility for an upset here if Notre Dame isn't focused on the road.
#16 NC State @ #12 Wake Forest - 7:30PM ET
Since the ACC is out of any CFP playoff consideration, this game lost it's luster last weekend when North Carolina beat the Demon Deacons to end that hope. The only viewing entertainment to get is 2022 Draft prospects and I would pay attention to Wake Forest WR Jaquiri Roberson, who will likely be a sneaky-good Day 3 WR option for the Vikes to fill out the WR room.
Nevada @ #22 San Diego St - 10:30PM ET
If you're having trouble sleeping Saturday night, you'll have another chance to check out 2022 1st Rd QB prospect Carson Strong (Nevada). This will be the game for intense evaluation - on the road vs a ranked team - let's see how well Strong performs when the competition is ratcheted up a notch. And if you're real desperate for 2022 Draft prospects to watch, San Diego St has a Junior PK/P that may have a legit shot at coming out early and getting drafted; his name is Matt Araiza and he's leading D-1 in punting avg at 51.95 yds per punt thanks to legit 70/80-yd punts. Although his FG kicking avg isn't good (10-16 won't get you drafted), he can at least serve as a backup/emergency PK in the NFL while being a team's P.
... and neither is this Chris guy.