The slate of games this weekend is not all that attractive, but there are some notable matchups to pay close attention to with two showdowns coming during the week. The sleeper Temple Owls face their biggest task yet facing off with the ninth ranked Fighting Irish in Philadelphia. A game that may seem like a no-brainer to some picking Notre Dame, but the Owls have some fight in them with some key players that have guided them to its unblemished record.
Other conference showdowns consist of ACC unbeaten teams in North Carolina and Pittsburgh, and the best team no one is talking about, Oklahoma State takes on Texas Tech. Here are some players to watch and matchups to highlight this weekend with a focus on draft-eligible players.
By Christian Page
North Carolina at No. 23 Pittsburgh // Thursday at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN
Continuing to pull away victories in some close calls, Pittsburgh controls its own destiny in the ACC Coastal and so does North Carolina. Both teams sustain undefeated conference records with big road victories in their rear view. This game is a huge momentum booster for whomever wins between these two quality ACC squads.
Attending the Georgia Tech-North Carolina game in Atlanta on Oct. 3, Quinshad Davis (#14) caught my eye for the Tar Heels. Though not having a big impactful game, Davis knows what it takes to win playing with an unselfish attitude. Davis is an excellent run blocker, which is key this Thursday evening versus a solid rush defense in Pittsburgh (133 ypg). Davis is a big target at 6-foot-4 200 pounds with a big catch radius and physical playing style serving as an effective red zone target.
Davis will most likely matchup opposite of senior cornerback Lafayette Pitts (#6) who is becoming a hot name in the ACC. Pitts is a three-year starter that has had some ups and downs in his career but is having a more consistent senior season. Pitts isn’t much of a physical presence, which could be detrimental lined up versus Davis. Pitts tends to struggle locating the football though last week had a nice game picking off two passes from Virginia. The confident corner has some work to do, but going up against one of the better more physical receivers in the conference should give scouts and draft followers a good indication where Pitts’ draft position stands.
With senior North Carolina quarterback prospect Marquise Williams (#12) struggling through the air early in a few games this season, implementing a healthy run game early would be ideal and that starts up front with guard prospect Landon Turner. Turner (#78) is a powerful presence that drives defenders off the ball taking up a lot of space anchoring well. Pittsburgh has, already mentioned, played the run well this season but have yet to face a grinding guard like Turner.
West Virginia at No. 5 TCU // Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST on Fox Sports 1
The first of two Big 12 Thursday night games this season, the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs take on the declining West Virginia Mountaineers looking to gain its first conference win. Struggling to complete passes at a marginal rate is what has derailed the Mountaineer offense but could get things in rhythm Thursday evening versus an average TCU secondary.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin (#2) is the biggest threat to LSU’s Leonard Fournette’s Heisman chances, but it’s whom he is throwing to receiving more draft attention. The tall rangy receiver Josh Doctson (#9) is gaining more and more draft buzz as I write this. Doctson has dominated opposing secondary units this season grabbing at least five receptions in the last five games with an average of 182 yards and two touchdowns. Docston is the best receiver at tracking the football in this upcoming draft class with a basketball like mentality (played in high school) boxing out corners and high pointing the football giving Boykin an easy red zone threat. Facing off versus an active and stingy secondary, Docston skills will be tested but should prevail.
Two underrated players potentially have a great matchup on the right side of the line with TCU edge defender James McFarland (#40) and West Virginia right tackle Marquis Lucas (#78). McFarland, seen as a tweener, is a force off the outside with good burst and explosion off the edge to provide for a constant pass rush for the Horned Frogs. Lucas isn’t the longest of tackles in the Big 12 but provides good athleticism to quickly kick slide on passing downs to protect the edge. Lucas initiates contact on the edge forcing defenders off their pursuit which is what McFarland struggles with. Both players are potential risers with late round value.
No. 12 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech // Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Dating back to last season, Oklahoma State has conjured up nine straight wins knocking off just one ranked opponent during that stretch. The schedule has been favorable, but the Cowboys are playing at a high level. Stopping opponents has been Texas Tech’s biggest issue, which usually comes with running a high-powered offense. Tech averages 42 points per game on offense but gives up an average of 44 points a game.
The Oklahoma State defense has been one of the biggest transformations in football from 2014 as it is now a force to be reckoned with. Defensive end prospect Emmanuel Ogbah (#38) is one of the biggest forces in the nation off the edge with 29 tackles for loss and 23 sacks over his career. Ogbah is an explosive athlete who has been productive against some of the top offensive linemen in the Big 12 this season. Being versatile across the defensive line he is a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses and will be tested once again against a top offensive tackle prospect Le’Raven Clark (#62).
Surging as a desirable tackle prospect, Clark has played at a high level this season once again. Many saw Clark as just a good athlete needing some technique work to really escalate his draft stock. With some solid games in 2015, Clark has shown improvement in many areas including hand usage/placement, consistent play and control. Expecting many NFL representatives present, Clark will have a nice measuring stick dueling against one of college football’s most highly coveted defenders.
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 21 Temple // Saturday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC
Though Temple has conquered a couple of big named opponents this season, none will bigger than No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday night with Temple’s biggest home game in the history of its program. Notre Dame is 1-1 in road games this season carrying a great record with a string of tough injuries in its pocket.
This showdown consists of two highly thought of linebackers at their respected position. Outside linebacker Jaylon Smith (#9) of Notre Dame does everything extremely well and doesn’t display many glaring weaknesses in his game. Besides his always talked about athleticism, Smith has a knack for shedding blocks and running through ball carriers. Making plays all across the field, Smith maintains leverage at the position and is also an effective pass when need be which will be key against a decently effective Temple pass offense.
Temple’s best defensive disrupter is senior linebacker prospect Tyler Matakevich (#8). When it’s all said and done, Matakevich may be the most instinctive linebacker in the 2016 draft class having the ability to read and react instantly with adequate speed and great play strength. Notre Dame junior running back CJ Prosise (#20) has been the bell cow for the Irish offense this season and Matakevich is a phenomenal run defender which gives us a great matchup to look forward to Saturday night.
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