Five Games to Watch: Week #6
By: Eric McGuire
We are within a month of the first ever release of the NCAA playoff rankings. Until then we select the five biggest games of the week.
Saturday, October 4th 2014.
#6 Texas A&M Aggies (5-0) at #12 Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-0)
12 pm ESPN
Both teams are undefeated in the SEC and are looking for a big win against a ranked opponent. Mississippi State will be looking for the biggest home victory it has had in a long while. Kenny Hill will lead his Aggies into battle on the road in a huge SEC game. Dak Prescott will return fire with his bulldogs looking for the upset. Both teams are looking for a great victory to further their resumes for the playoff run.
WR Malcome Kennedy Texas A&M Aggies
Kennedy is Kenny Hill’s veteran receiver that is a reliable weapon on the field. Kennedy seems to have a nac for moving the sticks and knowing how much he needs to get to keep the drive moving. This season he has 33 catches for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kennedy is only 6 foot tall and 205 pounds but seems much bigger by the way he plays.
Scout’s Take:
“ Kennedy has been a big surprise this year. Definitely a huge part of Texas A&M’s high powered offense.” – Bret LaGasse
S Justin Cox Mississippi State Bulldogs
Justin Cox has battled some injuries early this season, but returns for the tough SEC schedule for the Bulldogs. Cox is a big safety at 6’ 3” and 190 lbs. He has the size that many NFL teams are looking for in their secondary’s that was made popular by the Seahawk recently. Cox will have a tough game against the Aggies with all the weapons that they have and Kenny Hill, who loves to spread the rock around.
Scout’s Take:
“ Big, tall, athletic safety that makes plays all over the field. He has the body type and skill set that NFL teams look for in today’s safeties.” – Bret LaGasse
Saturday, October 4th, 2014
#14 Stanford Cardinal (3-1) at #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0)
3:30 pm NBC
After leaving Washington with a 20-13 conference victory, Stanford travels to South Bend in hopes of erasing their early loss to USC by defeating the Ninth ranked and undefeated Fighting Irish. A loss at the hands of Notre Dame and Stanford can kiss their playoff chances good bye. Notre Dame is looking for a signature win in the early third of their schedule. Their first four victorious have been against weak opponents and Stanford is their first true test. With an independent schedule, Notre Dame must stay undefeated to have a chance at a playoff spot this season.
LT Andrus Peat Stanford Cardinal
Peat is just another solid Stanford Cardinal offensive lineman prospect. Peat has the size to play either tackle spot at the next level. Peat mans the coveted left tackle spot for the Cardinal and measures in at 6’7” and 317 pounds. He is often taxed with blocking the opponents top pass rusher every week and is always up to the task. Peat will be an easy day one prospect this year.
Scout’s Take:
“ Probably the most well rounded Offensive Tackle in the country. Peat has good footwork while run and pass blocking. He has played Left Tackle and Right Tackle, which makes him extremely valuable to Stanford.” – Bret LaGasse
QB Everett Golson Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Golson is having a nice bounce back season after missing all of last year due to academic issues. He is completing almost 70% of his passes for 1142 yards, 11 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. He also has added 104 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Golson has reassumed his role of this offense that he took to the National championship game two season ago against Alabama. Golson has been coming up in scouting rumors recently as a quarterback moving up boards early this season.
Scout’s Take:
“ You can tell Notre Dame missed him last year. Golson is making plays and helping them reassert themselves as a top ranked team.” – Bret LaGasse
Saturday, October 4th, 2014
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) @ #11 Ole Miss Rebels (4-0)
3:30 pm CBS
Coming off a SEC victory against the Florida Gators, the Crimson Tide will go on the road for the first time this season. They will travel to Ole Miss to take on the Rebels in a huge SEC game. Alabama struggled versus West Virginia, but has rolled in its last three games versus Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss and Florida. Ole Miss has easily defeated its four opponents. The Ole Miss defense has surrendered a high of 15 points versus LA-Lafayette. Their other wins include Boise State, Vanderbilt and Memphis. This game looms huge for the SEC West title, the loser will be on the outside looking in.
RB TJ Yeldon Alabama Crimson Tide
TJ Yeldon came into the season as the number one back at Alabama, but has split carried almost evenly with Derrick Henry. Yeldon has 57 carries for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also has 3 catches out of the backfield for 56 yards. Yeldon has the size that most NFL teams covet for a durable 3 down back. If he can whether the SEC schedule and stay healthy he could be one of the top running backs heading to the draft.
Scout’s Take:
“ My #3 back in the SEC. Yeldon is having a good season, averaging 5 yards per carry. His patient running style allows him to find openings and make the most of his runs.” -Bret LaGasse
S Cody Prewitt Ole Miss Rebels
Prewitt is a solid defensive safety, which has all the intangibles that a pro team would want. This season he has racked up 17 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 interception. Playing in the tough SEC he is faced with athletes all over the field on every play and he holds his own. Prewitt will be a highly coveted safety come April.
Scout’s Take:
“ Prewitt is a big, strong safety, that brings an attitude to a tough Ole Miss defense. “ – Bret LaGasse
Saturday, October 4th, 2014
#15 LSU Tigers (4-1) @ #5 Auburn Tigers (4-0)
7:00 pm ESPN
Bouncing back nicely from a defeat two weeks ago at home to Mississippi State, LSU demolished the New Mexico State Aggies at home 63-7. Starting off their SEC schedule with a loss, doesn’t help and on top of that they must now travel to #5 Auburn for game two. The Tigers of LSU are very young and some of that inexperience is showing and good teams can expose them. On the other side, the National Championship runner’s up, the Auburn Tigers are off to a fast start again this year as one of top teams in the nation. Auburn has defeated Arkansas, San Jose St, Kansas St and Louisiana Tech. The Kansas St victory is their highlight so far, on the road and against the #20 team in the nation. This game could eliminate LSU from all playoff contention with a second loss or could further the one loss debate with an Auburn loss, we will see Saturday night.
MLB DJ Welter LSU Tigers
The solidly build, veteran leader of the LSU Tigers stands at 6’ 1” and 235 pounds. This season he has tabulated 25 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defended, 1 QB hurry and 1 fumble forced. This guy is all over the field and calls the defense for the 6th overall defense in the nation. His experience alone will get him a look at the next level, but his skill set also compliments very well.
Scout’s Take:
“ Stout linebacker that has been the leader of the LSU’s defense. He is the prototypical MLB. He shows toughness and smarts needed to make it at the next level.” -Bret LaGasse
WR Sammie Coates Auburn Tigers
On the season, Sammie Coates has 5 catches for 56 yards. That may not seem like an impressive total, but most of the time, Coates is getting double covered. This in turn creates opportunities for his teammates to shine. When the tough games arrive, Coates will stand out like he always does and scouts will be impressed.
Scout’s Take:
“ Coates has the ability to turn every play into a big play. Nick Marshall always looks for Coates to make a big play when they need it.” -Bret LaGasse
Saturday, September 27th, 2014
#19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0) @ #10 Michigan State Spartans (3-1)
8 pm ABC
A big game in the Big Ten, the undefeated Cornhuskers will travel to East Lancing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans are 3-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the #2 ranked Oregon Ducks. Nebraska is sitting at 5-0 with wins against Florida Atlantic, McNeese St, Fresno St, Miami and Illinois. This will be a much tougher test for Nebraska as they will go on the road to face the best team in the Big Ten. The Spartans have rolled in their three wins and got handled on the road at Oregon. The Spartans will have the chance to prove yet again that they are the Beast of the Big Ten.
DE Randy Gregory Nebraska Cornhuskers
Gregory is a man on the defensive line for the Blackshirt defense of Nebraska. He has compiled 17 tackles and 5 sacks thus far this season. At 6’ 6” and 240 pounds, Gregory is not optimal size for a NFL Defensive end. He may be labeled as a tweener and be forced to a under go a position change at the next level.
Scout’s Take:
“ Gregory has a very fast first step and has the explosiveness to beat just about any Offensive Tackle. He has rare athleticism, that allows him to move fluently and bend around the corner. While his size is a slight concern, he shows the strength to hang in at the point of contact.” -Bret LaGasse
S Kurtis Drummond Michigan State Spartans
Drummond is a standout safety in the Big Ten. He is a vocal and mental leader for the Spartans. At 6’1” and 201 pounds, he is not the largest guy, but he is a fast twitch guy who can cover and eligible receiver. The season he has 15 tackles and 2 interceptions. Drummond will get many looks at the next level.
Scout’s Take:
“ Drummond is a safety that has good size and ability. He has been making plays in the box, downfield and also steps up against the run.” -Bret LaGasse
