“Get-r-done” may be the catchy slogan this week, as college football will host plenty of playoff elimination games this Saturday. An in-state showdown with the high scoring Horned Frogs and Red Raiders should be a fun one to watch for those that like points.
The quarterback match-ups this week do not fall short of intrigue as two of the Pac-12’s most efficient passers, Cody Kessler and Mike Bercovici, face off in the desert and hopefully we will get to see a semi-healthy Vernon Adams play against a stingy Utah defense.
If you like gaudy statistics this may be your week to enjoy some offense. Here are some players to watch and matchups to highlight this weekend with a focus on draft-eligible players.
By: Christian Page
*All Games on Saturday
No. 3 TCU at Texas Tech, 4:45 EST, FOX
Led by the talented senior quarterback Trevone Boykin (#2), the other TCU top offensive performers get overlooked nationally to the naked eye. Take running back Aaron Green for example. Green (#22) frequently shows off his explosiveness with the ability to make defenders miss with adequate agility. Behind a solid line upfront highlighted by seniors Brady Foltz (#65) and Halapoulivaati Vaitai (#74), Green has the opportunity to really showcase his ability versus a very mediocre Texas Tech front seven.
The Red Raiders are coming off a solid road win at Arkansas this past week and now come back home for another big showdown. Gaining momentum off a solid game by sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes and main target Reginald Davis (#2), the Red Raiders continue to find consistency within the offense, but the secret is upfront. The Red Raiders are just one of five teams in the NCAA that have yet to give up a sack. Senior Le’Raven Clark (#62) is a back-to-back All-Big 12 performer and is on pace to be nominated for a third consecutive time. Formerly playing guard, Clark excels in the run game packing a nasty punch and driving defenders out of the play. His pass blocking technique needs some work and a big test will come this weekend when facing an always talented TCU defensive line.
Playing against a heavy passing offense, the TCU secondary will need a player to step up big in order for Mahomes to start second-guessing. Being spoiled with defenders Jason Verrett, Kevin White, and Chris Hackett over the past two seasons, the Horned Frogs are looking for a big-time playmaker of that caliber to step up into that role. Strong safety Denzel Johnson (#30) could be that next notable defensive back in the making already being on the receiving end of a few big plays so far this season.
No. 9 UCLA at No. 16 Arizona, 8:00 EST, ABC
After already losing potential first rounder Eddie Vanderdoes earlier this season, the Bruins will now have to overcome possibly the biggest obstacle this season, as they will face the rest of their schedule without dynamic playmaker Myles Jack. After being productive on both sides of the ball in Jack’s first two seasons, the Bruins found a steady run game with All-Pac 12 runner Paul Perkins (#24). Perkins picked up the slack last week with Josh Rosen’s struggles rushing for a career-high 219 yards giving UCLA the win over BYU. Perkins is a quick accelerator as he turns the corner making defenders miss in open space, which is a big advantage for the Bruins if Scooby Wright is a no-go for the Arizona defense.
Always gaining national buzz early in the season, but then fading later in the year has become a current theme with the Arizona football team as of late. Trying to reverse the status quo of Arizona football, the Wildcats have an opportunity ahead. UCLA isn’t always the team running out of the gate early, so jumping on the Bruins would be a good strategy for Arizona. With that said, implementing wide receiver Cayleb Jones (#1) is key. Jones is a primary target in an offense that averages 54 points per game. Jones is a thickly built wideout with strong hands and speed to create separation downfield. Playing against a seasoned secondary that has only given up three catches over 20 yards all season Jones will earn every catch he can get Saturday.
No. 18 Utah at No. 13 Oregon, 8:30 EST, FOX
Having victories over three adequate non-conference opponents, Utah takes their 3-0 record into Eugene Saturday night. Hoping for a nice quarterback match-up we may not get either starter for the respected team with Utah’s Travis Wilson (#7) nursing a sprained shoulder and Vernon Adams (#3) of Oregon still having trouble with a broken finger on his throwing hand. Wilson was very efficient in his first two outings, but running back Devontae Booker (#23) makes this offense go. Booker has been a workhorse so far this season with already 98 touches for a total of 471 yards being effective in any way possible for this Utes offense.
Booker is a solid back, but will have to put up with a terrifying Oregon defensive line that gives up just over four yards per carry and has defensive end DeForest Buckner (#44) staring into the Utah backfield. Buckner is the Ducks’ highest rated draft prospect as of now. Buckner is a long defender that uses his arm length and core strength to his advantage controlling both the run and pass game by rarely getting locked up at the line. Not being all too explosive off the line and playing with bad pad level gets Buckner in some trouble at times and can’t afford to make those same mistakes against a quick backfield versus Utah.
No. 19 USC at Arizona State, 10:30 EST, ESPN
Potentially losing a spot in the College Football Playoff, USC’s chances are far from over especially with the stellar play from senior quarterback and Heisman hopeful Cody Kessler. Kessler (#6) picked up right where he left off a year ago as this season he has tossed ten touchdowns with no interceptions. Kessler battles out junior prospect Jared Goff of Cal for the top quarterback prospect in this year’s upcoming class.
Overwhelmed with Kessler’s recent success, Mike Bercovici (#2) has been overlooked playing well in his first three games as the team’s starting quarterback. Bercovici will have his hands full with a talented USC secondary with senior cornerback Kevon Seymour (#13) leading the bunch as the higher rated prospect. Seymour is a quick instinctive player with good hips and fluidity mirroring opposing receivers. WR/RB DJ Foster (#8) is a unique speedy playmaker used in many different ways in Arizona State’s offense putting more emphasis on why Seymour’s closing speed and quickness is a big factor in this offensive showdown late Saturday night. Seymour had knee trouble last week and his status is questionable for the game.
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