NFL Draft Primer for Week 5 of College Football
By Peter Smith
Aug 31, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Which games should you be watching this week? Where are the best match ups? Who should you be watching in this random game? We have you covered. Here is a breakdown of the college football action for week 5 including times and channels so you know what to watch, what to DVR and what to be excited for this week in college football.
Thursday 9/26
Georgia Tech DE Jeremiah Attoachu and DB Jemea Thomas vs. Virginia Tech, 7:30pm ESPN – Attaochu is arguably the best senior speed rusher in the country and Thomas might legitimately be able to make the jump to the NFL at corner or safety depending on who is asked.
Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas, DE/OLB James Gayle and CBs Antone Exum and Kyle Fuller vs. Georgia Tech, 7:30pm ESPN – Thomas is one of the most controversial quarterback prospects in the country as some believe he can become an NFL caliber passer with his remarkable physical potential while others are ready to put him back at tight end. Defensively, Gayle has a nice combination of tools to be a nice edge rusher with his length and athleticism while the Hokies have a nice set of corners with potential going against the triple option of the Yellow Jackets.
Tulsa QB Cody Green vs. Iowa State, Fox Sports 1 – Green is a raw, toolsy signal caller not unlike Logan Thomas in terms of physical ability, but he is as raw if not even rawer for the position. He has a long way to go as a passer but like with Thomas, his potential is intriguing.
Friday 9/27
Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton and C Tyler Larsen vs. San Jose State, 9pm ESPN – Keeton is one of the talented junior quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference and he will be in a duel against David Fales. Larsen is one of the more talented pivots in college football.
San Jose State QB David Fales, WR Noel Grigsby, and S Bené Benwikere, 9pm ESPN – Fales has not gotten off to the start he expected after the impressive season he had last year, but this is the start of the conference schedule and a chance to start getting on the right track. It is a similar story with Grigsby who has shown a lot of talent for running routes and boxing out defenders with a smaller frame. Benwikere has experience at both corner and safety and seems to be more suited to play as a free safety going forward.
Saturday 9/28
LSU at Georgia, 3:30pm, CBS
Key Matchup: Georgia TE Arthur Lynch vs. LSU LB Lamin Barrow and S Craig Loston
Lynch is one of the most balanced tight ends in college football as well as maybe the most talented senior tight end. He is able to block and make plays in the receiving game. Barrow and Loston are both second year starters with tremendous physical attributes and potential who will likely be tasked with covering Lynch in some combination.
Wisconsin at Ohio State, 8pm ABC
Key Matchup: Wisconsin RBs Melvin Gordon and James White vs. Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier and Ohio State front seven.
Gordon has been one of the best runners in the country this year as a sophomore and along with White, they hope to be able to get the offense going against a talented Buckeye defense. Shazier seems to be able to do it all, but has had some issues staying on the field this year as he has been sidelined by minor issues at different times.
Other Players Worth Watching
CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State – With Shazier, the best prospect on the Ohio State defense and perhaps the best corner in the country. Roby is a willing run defender and can hit, but needs to improve his ability when it comes to playing with his back to the football.
RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State – Now back with the team, Hyde gives the Buckeyes another element of added size with their running game. Hyde is more athletic than he plays and needs to play up to that to reach his potential.
OT Jack Mewhort, Ohio State – Might be better suited to play at right tackle or perhaps guard, Mewhort anchors the Buckeye line.
S Christian Bryant, Ohio State – Bryant is undersized but a big time hitter who has a knack for making key plays.
S C.J. Barnett, Ohio State – Has the physical tools that Bryant lacks but is not quite the player Bryant is.
QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State – Although it would be an ill-advised move, Miller is a quarterback to keep an eye on as he tries to develop as a passer
QB Kenny Guiton, Ohio State – It is unclear how much either quarterback will play, but this would be far and away the best defense Guiton has faced, though he has been incredibly efficient.
WR Jared Abbredaris, Wisconsin – Not overly physically gifted in any particular way, Abbredaris is a guy who just seems to find spots to make plays.
Other Players Worth Watching
DT Anthony Johnson, LSU – The lone holdover from their incredibly talented defensive line from the last two years, Johnson is a nice combo tackle that can play a 3-tech but is probably best suited to be a nose guard. He is an effective run defender but he gives more than people might expect as a pass rusher from up the middle.
WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU – In many ways, he is the offensive version of Tyrann Mathieu while not having the off field problems. He is an electric athlete who can be a dynamic returner and can be a big time playmaker on offense with his speed and quickness.
WR Jarvis Landry, LSU – Landry is a nice receiving option who can make plays, but he is also a devastating blocker who ends up blocking like a tight end in a receiver’s body.
QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU – Mettenberger was supposed to be the answer to LSU’s quarterback quandary last year, but has stepped up this year early in the year. This will be the first big test for him this year.
QB Aaron Murray, Georgia – Murray is looking to keep the momentum going after a big win against South Carolina that may have saved the Bulldogs season and gotten fans off of the ledge. If they lose this game, they will get back right back on it.
Oklahoma at Notre Dame, 3:30pm NBC
Key Matchup: Oklahoma RBs Damien Williams and Trey Millard vs. Notre Dame front seven led by DT Louis Nix, DE Stephon Tuitt, DE/OLB Prince Shembo
The Sooners have a dynamic combination of speed and power between these two backs. Williams can fly while Millard can act as a fullback, H-Back, Tight End or another halfback that can run the ball built like a linebacker.
Meanwhile the Fighting Irish have one of the most impressive front sevens in the country but the best of the bunch is Nix in the middle. Tuitt’s issue continues to be bending and getting leverage. Shembo is a high effort player but is not a dynamic pass rusher.
Other Players Worth Watching
CB Bennett Jackson, Notre Dame – Not the most overly athletic corner but seems to find ways to make plays.
QB Blake Bell, Oklahoma – The Belldozer is working with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder as he was replaced before injury put him back under center.
WR Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma – Extremely undersized but his agility and ability to get open make him a dynamic player.
CB Aaron Colvn, Oklahoma – A corner with good size for the Sooners but needs consistency.
Other Players In Action Worth Watching
UCF QB Blake Bortles and RB Storm Johnson vs. South Carolina, 12pm ABC – Bortles and Johnson have come out swinging this year and were able to defeat Penn State on the road. The Gamecocks with Jadeveon Clowney among other defenders are a huge test, but they do get to play them in Orlando.
South Florida DE Aaron Lynch vs. Miami OTs Seantrel Henderson and Martin Bunche, 12pm ESPNU – A marquee matchup in a game that may not end well for the Bulls, but Lynch has a chance to really make a statement as a player many people have projected to go very, very high in the draft.
East Carolina TE Justin Jones vs. North Carolina, 12:30pm ESPN3 – The last of ECU’s games against the ACC and another big opportunity for him to shine against a tough defense.
Virginia OT Morgan Moses vs. Pittsburgh DL Aaron Donald, 12:30pm ESPN3 – Donald is a big time technician as a defensive lineman inside or out, so chances are Moses will a good amount of him.
Boston College QB Chase Ruttig and WR Alex Amidon vs. Florida State, 3:30 ABC/ESPN2 – Ruttig and Amidon have a huge opportunity to make plays against an impressive Seminole defense.
Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief and DE C.J. Johnson vs. Alabama, 6:30pm ESPN – Moncrief is an incredibly talented receiver but the effort is not always there. He should be up for trying to make plays against the Tide. Johnson is undersized but gets pressure on the quarterback and will have an opportunity to prove it against Cyrus Kouandjio.
Arkansas DEs Chris Smith and Trey Flowers vs. Texas A&M, 7pm ESPN2 – The Razorbacks have a couple of talented pass rushers that get a chance to go up against a potent A&M offense and offensive line.
Kentucky DE Zadarius Smith and DTs Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph vs. Florida, 7pm ESPNU – The Wildcats have an impressive defensive line that has a knack for wreaking havoc on opponents.
Arizona State RB Marion Grice vs. USC, 10:30pm ESPN2 – USC has a great defense and Grice is coming off of a couple big performances for the Sun Devils.
Cal DL DeAndre Coleman vs. Oregon, 10:30pm PAC-12 Network – Coleman is coming off a relatively unimpressive performance against Ohio State but gets a chance to bounce back against the high powered Ducks offense.