One of the mighties has fallen as undefeated Mississippi State traveled to Alabama and lost a battle to the Crimson Tide. The number one team in the nation falls and the dominos are now all over the place, who is number one. Number 2 Oregon was idle, while #3 Florida State beat Miami on the road. Number 4 TCU hung on to beat Kansas on the road. Number 5 Alabama beat #1 Mississippi State at home and #6 Arizona State fell to Oregon State on the road. The College Football Playoff Committee has their work cut out for them, when they release the new rankings Tuesday night we will know.

 

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

#13 Kansas State Wildcats (7-2) @ West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4)

7:00pm FS1

 

Both teams are coming off bye weeks after a loss to a conference opponent. Kansas State lost to TCU and West Virginia fell to Texas. Kansas State’s two losses have come to high ranked teams in Auburn and TCU. Kansas St possesses the 20th best offense and 21st best defense in the nation, where WVU is ranked 35th on offense and 62nd on defense. Kansas State will have to come to play in Morgantown, which will be up for this Thursday, primetime matchup.

 

DE Ryan Mueller Kansas State Wildcats

 

Mueller currently plays the Defensive End position for the Wildcats, but will most likely stay on his feet in the NFL as a linebacker. This season he has 26 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries. Reminds me of a Tedy Bruschi type player.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ High motor guy. His technique needs work, but he just some how, always makes plays. He never quits on a play. He does possess very coachable traits. The defense feeds of his energy.”                                                                                                                           – Bret LaGasse

 

OG Quinton Spain West Virginia Mountaineers

 

The best NFL prospect on a very average offense line for the Mountaineers, looks to be a guard at the next level. Spain has the size numbers all scouts want, but his technique and film is not really desirable for a draftable offensive lineman.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ He is the OG that WVU loves to run behind. Big mauler OG, that clears running lanes. Spain looks to be a RG at the next level.”                                                 – Bret LaGasse

 

Saturday, November22nd, 2014

#25 Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-3) @ #16 Nebraska Corn Huskers (8-2)

12:00pm ESPN

 

Minnesota is coming off a tough loss at home to highly ranked Ohio State and will look to keep pace in the Big Ten. Nebraska is coming off an embarrassing loss at Wisconsin in which they gave up a NCAA record number of yards to Badgers RB Melvin Gordon. In this particular game, Minnesota RB David Cobb and Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah will look to showcase their talent for NFL scouts. This game is a battle for second place in the West division of the Big Ten behind Wisconsin. Minnesota with a win would set up a defacto West division title game next week at Wisconsin.

 

RB David Cobb Minnesota Golden Gophers

 

Cobb this season he has 1350 yards and 11 touchdowns, with a 5.31 yard per carry average. Cobb is a Senior and he definitely has the body type to be a successful NFL running back. He in not really used in the pass game with only 10 catches this season.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Cobb was thrust into a starting role last season, and has been successful ever since. A hard runner that has been overshadowed by other running backs in the Big Ten.”                                                                                                                                                  – Bret LaGasse

 

OG Jake Cotton Nebraska Corn Huskers

 

Cotton has been mired by injuries over the years, but when healthy he is a mauler and a natural at the guard position. He is the lone returning starter this season for the Corn huskers. Cotton is a above average run blocker and gets the job done in the pass game.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Senior leader for the Nebraska OL. A little lean for the G position, but shows a good ability to get to the second level and block in space.”                         – Bret LaGasse

 

Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

Louisville Cardinals (7-3) @ #18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3)

3:30pm NBC

 

After hanging tough with Florida State in a tight loss, Louisville went on the road and defeated Boston College. The Cardinals are looking for a signature win to catapult them back into the top 25 to secure a high level bowl game this season. Notre Dame is reeling after an embarrassing home lose to a terrible Northwestern team. The Fighting Irish have lose 3 of their last 4 games and will most likely drop out of the top 25 in the new CFB playoff rankings. Notre Dame will fight to keep their name in it for a decent bowl game.

 

RB Michael Dyer Louisville Cardinals

 

Many people remember him from Auburn in 2011, which he had over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he is now at Louisville. Since coming to the Cardinals he has battled injuries and teammates for playing time. This season he has 414 yards and 4 touchdowns after missing the first three games of the season.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Hard runner and big play threat. He has had the injury bug since rushing for 1242 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012. The injuries could cause him to drop in the draft, but could be a steal.”                                                                                     -Bret LaGasse

 

DE Ishaq Williams Notre Dame Fighting Irish

 

Ishaq Williams has been left out of the scouting world this season, due to his part in the academic dishonesty scandal at Notre Dame. He is sitting out the entire 2014 season and could either go pro or return to South Bend next season. He has the size to play in the NFL, but has not really done much at Notre Dame to prove himself.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Williams has the size that teams are looking for. At 6’6” he has the height to get his hands into the throwing lanes. He plays lighter that his 271 pound frame would suggest.”                                                                                                                                    – Bret LaGasse

 

 

Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

#14 Arizona Wildcats (8-2) @ #23 Utah Utes (7-3)

3:30 ESPN

 

A battle of Pac 12 South teams, who are looking up at the USC Trojans. Arizona is coming off consecutive wins at home versus Colorado and Washington and will look to go into Utah with a head of steam. Utah went into Stanford and left victors after two straight defeats against Oregon and Arizona State. Both teams will look to keep pace with Arizona State and USC for a spot in the PAC 12 Championship game.

 

WR Austin Hill Arizona Wildcats

 

Used a lot in the slot for Rich Rodriguez’s offense, Austin Hill has put up 480 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. At 6’3” and 212 pounds he has the frame that could be bulked up at the next level. He has had a knee injury and missed a year due to it, so that is an area of concern.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Raw prospect with good size and ability. A little raw, but has a pretty good ceiling for the next level.”                                                                                                     -Bret LaGasse

 

DE Nate Orchard Utah Utes

 

Orchard is a stat machine, but does not get the recognition that many other get aroung the nation. This season alone he has 73 tackles, 19 TFLs, 16.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. After earning the starting nod at left defensive end last season, he is having a breakout campaign this season for the Utes.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Very underrated, much like the entire Utah defense. He is highly productive and is a well balanced DE.”                                                                                     -Bret LaGasse

 

Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

USC Trojans (7-3) @ #11 UCLA Bruins (8-2)

8:00 ABC

 

The battle of Los Angeles returns to the rose bowl as not only a rivalry game, but also a battle for PAC 12 South supremacy. USC is coming off back to back wins over Washington State and California. UCLA has won four straight conference games and will finish out the season at home against USC and Stanford next week.. This game is always a fun one to watch as they are cross town rivals and many of the players were recruited by both schools.

 

RB Javorius Allen USC Trojans

 

“Buck” Allen has emerged this season as a featured back for the Trojans with 1184 yards and 8 touchdowns rushing and has added 383 yards receiving and another touchdowns. He is a dependable all purpose back, who can run with a physical edge, but also run by you with his speed.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Is a big running back that has big play ability. He has already rushed for 1184 yards this season and 8 tds. He has really capitalized in his 2nd year as a starter. He has made a big name in a deep running back class.”                                     -Bret LaGasse

 

LB Eric Kendricks UCLA Bruins

 

Very much like his brother, Mychal of the Philadelphia Eagles, Eric is very instinctive, strong and can bring the lumber. Eric this season already has 110 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble forced. Kendricks is a team captain and has the ability to do everything as a linebacker from coverage, rushing the passer and tackling.

 

Scout’s Take:

“ Big linebacker that can play inside in any system and SOLB. He isn’t quite as athletic as his brother, but he is every bit as good. He is a well balanced LB that plays all 3 downs.”                                                                                                    -Bret LaGasse