College Football - Week 14 (Conference Championships)

It all comes down to this weekend to determine the 4 CFP spots....well, probably just 3 because I think Georgia is 99% locked-in no matter if they lose (they'd have to be completely blown-out 45-0 by 'Bama for the CFP Committee to consider leaving them out and I doubt that happens). 

Below are not all the games; just the one's I'm probably going to try to watch, to some extent. I'm also listing some prospects that I'm going to try and pay attention to - I don't have a rooting interest for any of the teams outside of watching a good game and finally getting some new/fresh teams in the CFP, so my focus is more on watching individual players for the 2022 Draft. And the prospects I'm listing are one's that the Vikings will have a realistic chance for - there's no sense in dreaming of the Vikings selecting Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aiden Hutchinson.  

Friday, 12/3

Conference USA: Western Kentucky vs UTSA (University of Texas San Antonio) - 7PM ET
Normally no one will care about who plays in the Conference USA Championship unless one of the teams is unbeaten and has a shot to get into a New Year's Day bowl, but this year there is a good reason to want to tune-in: Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe. He leads college football in passing yards (4,941), passing TD's (52) and yards per game (414). The individual season records for passing yards is 5,833 and for TD's is 60 (set by Joe Burrow) and Bailey has a shot to get close to both between the Conference Championship and W Kentucky's bowl game. But so what, we've seen great college QB's accumulate stats and they don't pan out in the NFL...and while that's true, the thing that personally intrigues me about Zappe is that this is his 1st year playing at the FBS level - he spent his prior career playing at the FCS level with Houston Baptist. When you're putting up video-game numbers in your 1st year at that level, I don't care that he's playing in a modified Air Raid system or if he's playing Conference USA opponents, it's still impressive (BTW, Zappe put up great passing #'s all season, even against non-Conference opponents like Michigan St, Indian & Army). As far as the actual game, UTSA was undefeated and was even ranked until last weekend (and they beat W Kentucky earlier in this season) so this figures to be a "revenge" game of sorts for the Hilltoppers. In the earlier game, Zappe was 36-60, 63% COMP, 523 yds, 5 TD's and 1 INT. 

Prospects to Watch:
- W Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe: read these two articles for more information on him (from PFF: link, and from TDN: link). 
- W Kentucky DE/OLB DeAngelo Malone: breakout year in 2019 but slowed down in '20/'21 and might be too small for 4-3 base DE
- UTSA CB Tariq Woolen: #6 on Feldmen's 2021 "Freaks List" so he's highly athletic; possible late Day 3 developmental CB / ST star

PAC12: #10 Oregon vs #17 Utah - 8PM ET
A rematch of a game in Salt Lake City in which Utah dominated and knocked the Ducks out of the CFP, so it's "revenge" time for Oregon here. I think this game should be a close one as its on a neutral field (Raiders "Death Star" in Vegas) and both teams have some NFL-level talent on both sides of the ball. It'll be interesting to see how Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (generally considered the #1 overall pick in 2022) will play; there's talk of fellow Top 5 DE prospect Aiden Hutchinson (Michigan) going #1 overall and some even consider him a Heisman candidate, so will Thibodeaux respond with a monster game of his own? Utah's OL is actually pretty solid so let's see. 

Prospects to Watch:
- Oregon S Verone McKinley III: I think it's a deep S class and McKinley is tied for 1st in nation with 5 INT's; he's a bit "under the radar"
- Oregon CB Mykael Wright: he's been burned recently so his stock has taken a hit, but could be a Day 3 CB developmental prospect
- Oregon RB Travis Dye: younger brother of Vikings LB Troy Dye; RB is not a priority for the Vikes but I like him as a multi-purpose RB and I think he fits the Patriot "do-it-all" model and can see him as a fit there (wish we used our RB's like they did)
- Utah LB Devin Lloyd: I really like him in the early rounds; he won't win the Combine, but I do think he'll be an impact LB in the NFL
- UTAH IOL Nick Ford: played every OL position in career; all-Conference 1st Team in '20 and probably again in '21; playing OC this yr

Saturday, 12/4

BIG XII: #9 Baylor vs #5 Oklahoma State - Noon ET
The first game to have CFP implications as Oklahoma State is on the cusp of getting into the CFP - they just need someone in the Top 4 to fall...and yeah, they need to beat Baylor in "Jerry's World". The Cowboys won this matchup earlier in the season at home, but Baylor has been on a roll ever since beating a tough BYU team and Oklahoma while being tripped-up only by TCU. Baylor does have an injury to their starting QB so if he can't go, that tilts the advantage heavily to Oklahoma St, who has a really solid defense. I do think Oklahoma St is focused enough to see this win through and will be scoreboard watching the rest of the day. 

Prospects to Watch:
- Oklahoma St S Kolby Harvell-Peel: I honestly don't know much about any prospects on either team, but this guy routinely shows up on Top 100/150 Big Boards so this is a chance to check him out. I've read that he does it all for Ok St - INT's, run-stuffing, coverage - and the Vikes could use some LB/S/slot CB depth. 

SEC: #1 Georgia vs #3 Alabama - 4:00PM ET
Another "revenge" game, IMO, as Georgia would love nothing better than to knock Alabama from the CFP picture after those heartbreaking losses to them in the 2017 National Title game and the 2018 SEC Championship. Both of those games were in the Mercedes Benz Dome in Atlanta and both teams return to the "scene of the crime" once again. Alabama really struggled for nearly the entire game last week in the Iron Bowl at Auburn and their tenacious defense...and well, they don't get any rest because they're now up against the best defense in college football. This should be a classic matchup of a great offense (Alabama has many weapons yet again) vs Georgia's defense (which has early Rd NFL talent at all 3 levels). I know Alabama will pull out all the stops and will probably come out of the gates strong, but I do think that much like Oklahoma St beating Oklahoma and Harbaugh beating Ohio St during "Rivalry Week" last weekend, it'll be Kirby Smart and Georgia finally winning over their SEC West rivals. Bryce Young, Nick Saban and Alabama will be back in 2022 for sure, but this time it's Georgia who's the "top dawg". 

Prospects to Watch:
- Georgia S Lewis Cine: he's been playing since his FR year and is solid in coverage and a sure tackler. 
- Georgia DE Travon Walker: has prototypical 4-3 base size, but hasn't put it all together. Walker should be paired-up with 'Bama OT Evan Neal a few times and that is a battle worth watching. 
- Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt: #5 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I want to see how well Wyatt creates pressure in this game
- Georgia WR George Pickens: the injury he sustained before the season started has him all the way down to Round 2/Round 3 on most Big Boards and he was definitely a 1st Rd WR talent coming into 2021. I've seen some amazing catches from him in '19/20 and he "was" a crisp route-runner, reminding me somewhat of Diggs. The Vikings don't need top-end WR's in 2022, but heck, if he's there in the late 2nd or even in the 3rd, I'd take a shot. I just want to see how well he's come back from that preseason injury and he should be battling 'Bama CB Josh Jobe (a Day 2 / Day 3 CB talent). 
- Georgia CB Derion Kendrick: if you're under the opinion that the Vikings shouldn't be drafting anyone with off-field "red flags" (ie, Jeff Gladney), then look away from Kendrick; he was dismissed from Clemson after the '20 season (for what he says was a "breakdown in communication" with Dabo Swinney) but he was arrested on gun/drug charges not long after. He entered the transfer portal and stayed there until he landed with Georgia who had openings due to their Top CB's being drafted in Rd's 1/2 in the 2021 Draft (Stokes/Campbell). Kendrick has QB/WR background and although lacks speed, he's a good CB. It will be interesting to see how he does against 'Bama's talented WR group. 

AAC: #21 Houston vs #4 Cincinnati - 4PM ET
Cincinnati has a chance to make history as the first non-Power 5 school to get into the CFP - all they have to do is beat #21 Houston, which will not be easy. Houston has not lost a game since their season-opener vs Texas Tech, have a solid offense (have scored at least 31 pts in all but 2 games) and have started to play solid defense. Cincinnati has NFL talent on offense and especially on defense, but you know Houston would love nothing better than to spoil the dreams of the Bearcats here. The equalizer for Cincinnati here is that the game is actually not on neutral soil - it's actually in Cincinnati - and I think that probably gives them the edge knowing how they focused they were against a solid SMU team at home a few weeks ago. The wild card is Cincinnati HC Luke Fickell, who's rumored to be the favorite for the Notre Dame opening - is he 100% focused on the Cincinnati CFP dream knowing greener pastures are ahead for him either way? 

Prospects to Watch:
- Houston DL Logan Hall: #54 on Feldmean's 2021 "Freaks List"; he could be either a Day 2/Day 3 DT or DE prospect with his size
- Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner: a 1st Rd CB prospect; I'm a little "so-so" on him, mainly due to his size - he's a bit "thin" and I've seen him shy away from tackles. I know he can cover - just want to see more tackling ability. 
- Cincinnati LB Darrian Beavers: 6'4", 255 lbs+ and plays like Zaven Collins from the '21 Draft; part of a group of Day 2 LB prospects I really like
- Cincinnati DB Bryan Cook: Day 3 S prospect
- Cincinnati DE Myjai Sanders: #20 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I was excited about his breakout '20 season and then was a little disappointed watching him in the Peach Bowl vs Georgia as the only time he got pressure was when he timed the snap-count perfectly (and had 2 offsides penalties, too). And I've seen the same thing from him in the '21 season (and I've watched plenty Cincinnati games this year). He's currently in the Round 2 range but I think he's a sub-package depth 4-3 only and the Vikes have plenty of those. Let's see if he can break out again, though. 
- Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle: broke out in '20 somewhat but hasn't produced the same in '21 (maybe because others have emerged). I think he's a really good, "under-the-radar" TE prospect that could be had late on Day 2 or early on Day 3. 
- Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce: #46 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; I think he has the makeup of the next Adam Thielen at the NFL level - highly athletic, gets open, great hands and will definitely play ST early in the NFL. If he's there on Day 3 (he shouldn't be) then I definitely take him and start the grooming process. 

BIG10: #2 Michigan vs #13 Iowa - 8PM ET
It's only fitting that the winner of the 1st 2021 "BIG10 Game of the Year", Iowa, squares off against the winner of the 2nd "BIG10 Game of the Year", Michigan. Obviously the Wolverines are riding high after their victory over rival Ohio St last weekend, but they should not overlook Iowa. Kirk Ferentz always has the Hawkeyes playing sound football and just ask Penn St how tough Iowa is in big games. If the game comes down to ball control and no one commits mistakes, then Michigan wins because they are more talented...but Iowa has a knack of turning teams over with their "hawkish" DB's so let's see if Michigan can play 4 quarters of clean football on a big stage w/ the CFP on the line. 

Prospects to Watch:
- Michigan DE David Ojabo: the breakout for Michigan in '21 after playing only 26 snaps before this season; he's highly athletic and just touching the surface of his ability. He's rising fast up Draft Boards towards mid/end Rd 1. The Vikes do need a DE to compliment Hunter and although Ojabo needs some refining, he could provide that in a few seasons. All eyes will be on Hutchinson (who the Vikes have no shot at), but mine will try to be focused on Ojabo who the Vikes have a more realistic shot at. 
- Michigan CB Vincent Gray / S Brad Hawkins / S Daxton Hill: I like the play of these guys vs Ohio St and I'm going to try and pay attention to all three vs Iowa. I did especially like Gray, who I thought played well vs the talented Ohio St WR group. 
- Iowa CB Riley Moss / CB Matt Hankins: both of these guys played extremely well early in the season for Iowa and were "hawks" for the ball. Moss was injured for the middle part of the season but I want to see more of these two (if Michigan throws the ball, that is).

ACC: #15 Pittsburgh vs #16 Wake Forest - 8PM ET
Even with Clemson having a lackluster season (by their recent standards), I wouldn't have guessed either one of these programs in the ACC Title game, which I think is a good thing. This should be a high-scoring affair with both offenses among the country's best. I'm probably watching the BIG10 game during the evening and keeping an eye on the score here. 

Prospects to Watch:
- Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett: watched him once this season and liked him, but had some question marks (thought he tried to play "hero ball" too much and impress scouts w/ too much deep passing and not taking what defense was giving). I'd like to see more management of the game from him - one of his strengths is supposed to be the Pro Style system Pitt runs but saw him play differently. He's had some big wins this seasons so let's see how he does when the primetime lights are shining. 
- Pittsburgh TE Lucas Krull: #81 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; hasn't broken out like many thought he would and the stage won't be bigger with all the scouts that will be in attendance for this one
- Pittsburgh CB Damarri Mathis: 5th yr Sr (missed all of '20 season w/ injury) seems like a solid CB prospect and I want to see how he does vs a talented Wake Forest WR group
- Wake Forest WR Jaquarii Roberson: I think he's a very underrated route-runner that also has YAC ability