With last week’s excitement of crazy plays and close games, Week Eight may have some difficulties contending to stay on that same level of intensity. Getting a clearer picture of where each team stands in the conference standings, Week Eight caters to a slew of games that are crucial to some top ranked teams that have potential upset match-ups. Here are some players to watch and match-ups to highlight this weekend with a focus on draft-eligible players.
By: Christian Page
Saturday, 3:30 EST on CBS: Tennessee at No. 8 Alabama
Looking strictly on paper Tennessee may not look like it can matchup with the talent of Alabama to the naked eye, but the truth is that is not entirely true. Creating a solid and talented roster Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has players to make this upset occur.
Not many will argue against the statement that the game is won in the trenches. Alabama was a prime example of that last week at Texas A&M forcing pressure on Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen forcing high throws and three picks. Junior Jonathan Allen (#93) had a career game finishing the day with four tackles for loss and two sacks. Allen proves his strength each week driving offensive linemen back and controlling them to make a play on the ball carrier. Allen should keep gaining more recognition as the season progresses possibly reaching first round grades.
Alabama has a season-high 258 rushing yards Saturday against a good defensive front seven (though Texas A&M does rank 12th in the SEC in rush defense), so Tennessee’s front seven should be of emphasis for the Volunteers Saturday afternoon. Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (#21) has been virtually unstoppable this season making plays all over the field. The instinctive linebacker has eight tackles for loss with three sacks this season entering Saturday. Reeves-Maybin is solid in coverage but is at his best in rush defense, which is what will be key in this matchup in Tuscaloosa.
Saturday, 7:00 EST on ESPN: No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 24 Ole Miss
Having an ample amount of opportunities to keep it tight with Alabama last weekend, the Aggies could not quite rise to the occasion in conjuring up an upset victory at home. Though having a good game across the defensive line with individual players having shining performances. Waning in the shadow of all-star defensive end Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall (#10) has flourished in John Chavis’ defensive scheme. Hall has great length at the defensive end position showing good flexibility to bend around the corner and be a force on passing downs.
The headlines read upset, but Memphis may be the better team in the long run. Ole Miss failed to create big plays as Memphis took advantage of any Ole Miss mistake. Limiting Laquon Treadwell (#1) was though an issue for the Tigers. Treadwell is the definition of a possession receiver who is a reliable target for rising star Chad Kelly (#10). Treadwell is essentially always open with his sticky hands and physical play that should give him every advantage versus a mediocre Texas A&M secondary.
Saturday, 7:00 EST on ESPN 2: No. 9 Florida State at Georgia Tech
Seen as once a playoff sleeper team, Georgia Tech has dropped five straight, four coming in ACC play. Neither side of the ball has been impressive but defensive tackle Adam Gostis (#96) is the Jackets’ best draft prospect. Gostis does most of his damage in the pass game causing a pas rush within the interior though not having extreme upper body strength. Being a versatile lineman on the defense, Gostis will be key in going against a tough Florida State rush offense headlined by sophomore Dalvin Cook.
Outside of the headlined playmakers on the Seminole defense (Jalen Ramsey and Terrance Smith) defensive end DeMarcus Walker (#44) has been a dominant force in Florida State’s 3-4 defensive alignment. Needing to find replacement for the departed pass rushers, the Seminoles seem to have found a consistent disruptor with Walker. Walker isn’t the typical stat-packing edge rusher, though this season has some attractive stats, he serves as an element on defense that creates havoc versus opposing offensive tackles in order to get to the quarterback. With a long frame, Walker sets the edge well establishing his position and opening up opportunities for those within the interior. It will be interesting to see how Walker plays against Tech’s triple-option attack.
Saturday, 10:30 EST on ESPN: Washington at No. 10 Stanford
An impressive showing last week versus UCLA, Stanford is proving its position back into the playoff talk. Kevin Hogan, who I touched on last week, didn’t look spectacular last Thursday, but performed well enough. Kodi Whitfield (#5) is an intriguing prospect to evaluate based on playing a period of time at receiver but now permanently moving to the defensive side at strong safety. Whitfield’s best fit is at the safety position with good range and instincts.
Redshirt senior linebacker Travis Feeney (#21) has been a productive player in his five-year career at Washington with 217 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Similar to former Washington defender, organizations will have to consider if they view Feeney as an undersized (lean frame) outside linebacker or a big presence at safety. Regardless, Feeney flies to the football with a hard-hitting mentality and is quick to diagnose plays in the backfield getting to the ball carrier many times untouched. Going against a physical hit you in the mouth style offense should not faze him in his normal style of play.
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