The first weekend of college football didn’t consist of too many major upsets, but similar to last season we potentially have a series of playoff elimination games with LSU at Mississippi State, Oklahoma at Tennessee, and most notably Oregon at Michigan State. Week two also displays some underrated match-ups that could elevate some names for the next draft class like Appalachian State at Clemson (highlighted below), Boise State at BYU, and Temple at Cincinnati.
Here are some players to watch and matchups to highlight this weekend with a focus on draft-eligible players.
By: Christian Page
Appalachian State at No. 11 Clemson, 12:30 EST
The game is not on any national TV guide and probably not even on local stations so if you’re really interested I’m sure you can find it somewhere on XM. The reason the game is highlighted is that both teams have potential day one and day two picks throughout their rosters. After a dominating performance versus Howard, Appalachian State is ready for the test in crossing over the border to face the Clemson Tigers.
One of the more apparent reasons this game is highlighted is to see how the heralded prospects of Appalachian State stack up to those of Clemson. Safety Doug Middleton leads the projected Sun Belt champs having good recognition skills and the ability to break down and make tackles against bigger receivers and running backs eliminating his size disadvantage. Middleton will take on what could be a strong Clemson receiving corps even without Mike Williams.
Cornerback Mackensie Alexander is the highest rated Clemson prospect as of now after having a productive 2014 season bouncing back from a groin injury in 2013. Alexander will line up versus some underrated receivers for the Mountaineers with Malachi Jones, Simms McElfresh, and Montez McGuire. Clemson’s high-powered offense is known for putting up big numbers, but shouldn’t take the Mountaineers lightly with some potential next level talent on the other side.
No. 19 Oklahoma at No. 23 Tennessee, 6:00 EST, ESPN
Having an improving team hopefully heading into the right direction, this matchup for the Volunteers has more implications than a season ago to see where they really are as a program. A key piece for the Vols’ offense was missing last weeks as the highly recognized receiver, Marquez North, missed the opener with an apparent knee injury.
North will be a key part when facing an Oklahoma secondary headlined by senior Zack Sanchez that was very efficient last weekend versus Akron. Switching to the other side but with a similar matchup, cornerback Cameron Sutton will have his work cut out for him facing a dynamic duo for the Sooners as speedsters Durron Neal and Sterling Shepard combined for six receptions for 133 yards last week.
Though with just one game in the books, the Sooners may possess one of the top defensive front sevens in the nation. Dominique Alexander proved his ability to cause havoc in the backfield last week finishing the day with 2.5 tackles for loss as he continues to climb the ladder into a potential day one bid come draft time.
Tennessee left tackle Kyler Kerbyson is an interesting prospect to grade after spending time within the interior and being the anchor at both tackle positions. He will certainly have his biggest test of the season, obviously, when facing excellent pass rusher Eric Striker and notable disrupter Charles Tapper.
No. 7 Oregon at No. 5 Michigan State, 8:00 EST, ABC
The billing did not necessarily live up to the hyped potential this game had to offer in 2014 as the Ducks and Sparty remained close in the first half but the Ducks took off in the second half winning 46-27. Though still a top ten matchup this time around the hype train is slowly leaving the station in 2015. Connor Cook wasn’t as potent as usual last week but still was effective in his 256 yard and two touchdown performance versus a stingy Western Michigan defense.
The Ducks are still breaking in some new pieces to their secondary so Cook will look to take advantage of some on the inexperience while throwing to his favorite target Aaron Burbridge (4 receptions with 117 receiving yards last Friday).
One of the more exciting matchups of the weekend takes place in East Lansing in the trenches with Michigan State’s Jack Conklin at left tackle and Donavon Clark at right guard versus an active Oregon front headlined by potential top ten pick DeForest Buckner and highly effective run-stuffer Alex Balducci.
Neither team was short of offense in last season’s intriguing faceoff as the two squads combined for over 950 yards of total offense. So, with that said, the team that can make the difference on defense could and should have the advantage over the other if the cards fall right on the offensive side of the ball.
No. 14 LSU at No. 25 Mississippi State, 9:15 EST, ESPN
The major concern heading into this Saturday night primetime game is LSU having a 0-0 record as they will now put on the pads for the first time this season in Starkville, Mississippi. The biggest concern for the Tigers isn’t necessarily just because it’s the first game for them but that it will be Brandon Harris’s first season as the full-time starter (second career start).
The Tiger offense will rely heavily on the run game with Leonard Fournette running behind a solid offensive line headlined by Vadal Alexander (has also seen time at guard) and junior left tackle Jerald Hawkins.
Kendall Beckwith flies around the field making plays all over from his middle linebacker position as he returns as the Tigers’ leading tackler from 2014. Scouts will get a good look at cornerback Tre’Davious White, as he will have the responsibility to cover one of the SEC’s most feared receivers in De’Runnya Wilson. Wilson brings his physical presence to a physical hard-hitting defense that should make good TV.
Mississippi State lost a hefty load of talent from last year’s record setting team with Josh Robinson, Dillion Day, Blaine Clausell, Ben Beckwith, Preston Smith, and Benardrick McKinney all departing leaving the Bulldogs with only seven total returning starters.
If the Bulldogs have any advantages at all it includes playing at home while also having a game under their belt. Dak Prescott is most notably the headliner to this offense but some names to keep an eye on outside of Wilson, is running back Ashton Shumpert (big framed power back), Fred Ross (second leading returning receiver), and Justin Malone (huge frame with great power)
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