No giants have yet to be taken down by David, at least not all the way down as Auburn was certainly close escaping last week versus Jacksonville State, and none of the top dogs have yet to be depleted coming away with a big loss. Now bring on week three. The week of top tier matchups with multiple conference showdowns that will already shapeup the conference and playoff races.
As prospect matchups go, our mouths are salivating with top tier talents on the field facing off this weekend. Here are some players to watch and matchups to highlight this weekend with a focus on draft-eligible players.
By: Christian Page
Thursday: No. 11 Clemson at Louisville, 7:30 EST, ESPN
After almost rallying back to beat Auburn with a 24 point second half in the opening weekend, the Cardinals took an upsetting lost this past Saturday against an inferior Houston team losing the turnover battle five to one. Clemson is playing on a steady note outscoring their opponents 90 to 20 in the first two weeks. Louisville is known for its Thursday night dramatics no matter how good or bad its resume ever is as the game is displayed in an always competitive style, so we are very much treated on a week day night.
Clemson’s strength offensively has come through the air as rising college football star Deshaun Watson has delivered throwing to a talented group of receivers with a 77% completion percentage. Running back Wayne Gallman (#9) has also heavily contributed with 171 yards of his own slowly climbing the rankings of the top eligible backs for the 2016 draft even though just a sophomore. Offensive tackle Joe Gore (#73) and freshman Mitch Hyatt are players to keep an eye out for as they will protect against a defense that has only forced two sacks on the season, but is always willing to create a pass rush especially with former Big 12 defensive player of the year Devonte Fields (#92) on the opposing side bringing speed off the edge to create pressure.
Louisville had a very uncharacteristic game last weekend turning the ball over five times and giving up 462 total yards in the loss versus Houston. Getting back on track offensively and defensively will be key this week, as they will host a strong opponent in Clemson. Getting star players more involved should be vital this week as Ja’Quay Savage (#19) has been very underused thus far and Brandon Radcliff (#23) is still trying to find consistency in the run game with a struggling offensive line. Defensively for Clemson, there are two players to keep in mind that can change the game and cause frustration for the opposing offense: Jayron Kearse (#1) and Travis Blanks (#11). Both set the tone for the unit as a whole making big impact plays when needed and bringing consistency each and every week.
Saturday: No. 14 Georgia Tech at No. 8 Notre Dame, 3:30 EST, NBC
Both teams come into this matchup being potential postseason playoff candidates at least before the injury bug cam over South Bend. After losing key players, most notably quarterback Mailk Zaire (#8), the Irish have become a second thought when discussing the top teams in the country, but still have plenty of talent to go around on its remaining roster. Georgia Tech continues to bask in the shadow of Florida State and Clemson but has its own cast to take on the ACC juggernauts headlined by quarterback Justin Thomas. Thomas (#5) isn’t seen as the prototypical NFL quarterback prospect but athletically the junior can do just about everything. Thomas has thrived in Paul Johnson’s triple-option offensive attack and continues to be a force, as he will now face a top tier defense with more than enough playmakers on the opposing side.
Notre Dame’s defense is a powerful group with at least two first round talents. Jaylon Smith (#9) is currently atop many big boards across the country with his size, speed, athleticism, and football I.Q. capturing the attention of scouts all over and defensive tackle Sheldon Day (#91) is also a force in the interior. Day will be an interesting player to watch this game based on the offensive scheme the Jackets will run. Having to deal with constant cut blocks and quick pitches, Day will be tested all throughout the game giving ever more the reason for him to shine if he can make an impact.
Saturday: South Carolina at No. 7 Georgia, 6:00 EST, ESPN
Georgia has slowly snuck into the top eight benefitting off of a few close wins and some losses to early preseason candidates. The Bulldogs are in the driver’s seat in the SEC East, like always, but now face the team that is known to give them fits in recent memory. The Gamecocks are still working out some kinks on both sides of the ball, but if we can be certain of anything it is that Steve Spurrier will have this team ready to go in Athens, Ga. Saturday night.
South Carolina is already accustomed to seeing its fair share of talented foes facing North Carolina in the opener and just recently dropping a close loss to SEC foe Kentucky. The measuring stick for Georgia isn’t as accurate as that of South Carolina’s but still has looked, let’s just say, satisfying in its first two games. Still managing to find consistency under center, Georgia will continue to rely heavily on its run game with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel behind an underrated offensive line. Offensive tackle John Theus (#71), could project more as a guard at the next level, has played in 42 games heading into Saturday and is a force in the run game along with his partner at guard, Greg Pyke (#73). Both will face a big South Carolina defensive line headlined by Kelsey Griffin (#94) and Phillip Dukes (#52).
Pharoh Cooper (#11) is the obvious playmaker for the Gamecock offense, but other impactful contributors like running back Brandon Wilds (#22) and Shon Carson (#7) have been just as effective. Left tackle Brandon Shell (#71) is a bruiser upfront excelling in both the run and pass game as he anchors an underwhelming Carolina offensive line. Shell and others will have their protecting assignments cut out for them Saturday as elite pass rushers Jordan Jenkins (#59) and Leonard Floyd (#84) look to raise havoc for the Dogs on defense.
Saturday: No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 2 Alabama, 9:15 EST, ESPN
The revenge game has been building up for quite some time now and the matchup seems a little more even than expected this preseason as the Rebels head into Tuscaloosa as the 15th ranked team in college football. The Tide still are not 100% comfortable at quarterback as Jake Coker (#14) has shown glimpses of good things to come with a strong-arm, athleticism, and accuracy and those attributes will be put to the test against an always stingy Ole Miss land shark defense. Coker has performed well enough under pressure thus far, but this is where the hype train either takes off or falters playing a quality SEC West opponent. Ole Miss has dominated its first two opponents outscoring its opposition 149 to 24 with stellar play from both sides of the ball.
The Ole Miss spread attack is brought to you by big armed and athletic quarterback Chad Kelly (#10 – Clemson transfer) and his outstanding receiving corps consisting of Cody Core (#88), Laquon Treadwell (#1) and Quincy Adeboyejo (#8). Core has turned into one of the Rebels’ big time playmakers playing opposite to Treadwell but could be best used in the slot when facing the Alabama 3-4 defensive scheme giving him unique touches underneath to create plays in space. Laremy Tunsil’s status is still unclear as he continues to undergo NCAA investigation.
Alabama’s victory over Middle Tennessee State last weekend wasn’t pretty in pink as the score may have indicated. Alabama struggled to find consistency in the first half running the ball and cannot afford to get off to a slow start versus an offense that averages 38 points scored in the first half. Derrick Henry (#2) has been just fine, but finding playmakers on the outside (besides Kenyan Drake #17) to help bring consistency to the quarterback position is what could be an issue this weekend despite. Middle Tennessee State moved the ball well enough on offense to take note that Alabama’s defense can be a little vulnerable in some areas including the secondary where it continues to struggle with inconsistent play from Cyrus Jones (#5) and Eddie Jackson (#4). Both are very talented but struggle at times and put their team in rough patches defensively, which is something that cannot happen Saturday against a rising pass happy offense from Oxford.
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