Week 1 College Football Games of the Week
By Editorial Staff
I have labeled Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III as a first round prospect with Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, and Landry Jones. Can Griffin live up to the hype?
#14 TCU Horned Frogs VS Baylor Bears
Players to Watch
Robert Griffin III Quarterback Baylor Junior Redshirt I have Robert Griffin III listed as a first round prospect. I had Griffin going to Oakland at #12 overall in my 2012 Mock Draft until the Raiders took Terrell Pryor in the Supplemental Draft.
Griffin is now a borderline first round prospect and unless he has a big game against a legit defense with TCU I am probably going to bump him down on my list to a 2nd round prospect.
Projected Round 1st Round
Ed Wesley Running Back TCU Junior Redshirt Ed Wesley had 166 carries for 1,078 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2010. With quarterback Andy Dalton, left tackle Marcus Cannon, and wide receiver Jeremy Kerely gone Wesley could reach 1,500 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns for the Horned Frogs in 2011 since Wesley will get 20-25 carries a game rather than 12-16 carries a game.
Wesley could have a big game because a lot of pundits are expecting Baylor to pull the upset. Baylor’s best run stuffer Phil Taylor is gone which could allow Wesley to run wild on this Baylor defense.
Projected Round 6th round prospect in 2012 and a 3rd round prospect in 2013
Tank Carder Linebacker TCU Senior Tank Carder can be a 3-4 inside linebacker. You can also use Carder as a WILL, MIKE, or SAM linebacker in the 4-3. Carder could go anywhere between round 1 and round 5 in 2012 depending on his production as a senior at TCU. Most people think Carder is a 3rd round prospect so Carder should go in round 3.
Projected Round 3rd Round
Tanner Brock Middle Linebacker Junior TCU Tanner Brock is a middle linebacker who compliments Tank Carder. Brock is an underclassmen, but he may have more potential than his teammate Carder.
Both linebackers are so good that TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson runs a 4-2-5 nickel package allowing both of his linebackers to have multiple responsibilities playing the middle and the outside linebacker spots. The extra man in coverage helps out with double teams or taking away the open slot receiver that can torch your secondary.
Projected Round 2013 3rd round pick
Greg McCoy Cornerback Senior Redshirt TCU Greg McCoy is TCU’s shutdown cornerback. McCoy will play an essential role in tonights game eliminating any potential coverage mismatches.
Projected Round 6th Round
Key Matchup to Watch Robert Griffin VS TCU’s Defense Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin is a dual threat quarterback. TCU runs a nickel defense with 5 players on secondary and has 2 legit linebackers with Tank Carder and Tanner Brock. Whoever wins the matchup between Robert Griffin and TCU’s defense should win this game.
Prediction TCU 31 Baylor 17 In my TCU season preview I picked Baylor to win this game. Now I am considering changing my pick to TCU because so many College Gameday experts on ESPN agree with me. The fact that so many people are dismissing what TCU running back Ed Wesley brings to the table now that Andy Dalton is gone is a huge edge for TCU. To top that off, Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor is gone so we should see Wesley get 221 rushing yards and multiple rushing touchdowns on the night. Baylor will hang in this contest early, but the Horned Frogs should win the war of attrition once the 2nd half of this contest starts. I should stick with my original 24 to 23 Baylor over TCU upset, but way too many people are expecting that to happen which is why I am taking TCU in this contest.
#5 Boise State Broncos VS #19 Georgia Bulldogs
Players to Watch
Boise State Players to Watch
Kellen Moore Quarterback Boise State Senior Redshirt Kellen Moore played well last year against a legit Virginia Tech secondary with Rashad Carmichael, Jayron Hosley, and Eddie Whitley. That secondary lacked experience which may have been the reason why Boise State torched Virginia Tech’s secondary.
This time Boise State opens up the season against Georgia. Moore has never faced an SEC defense before so this game may define Moore’s career as well his draft stock considering the fact that Kellen Moore is 6 foot 191 pounds.
Another thing that works against Moore is the fact that his two deep threats Austin Pettis and Titus Young are both gone. Boise State will have to be balanced on offense now that their vertical passing game will have a reduced impact.
Projected Round 5th Round
Nate Potter Left Tackle Boise State Senior Redshirt Nate Potter lacks the size and footwork to be a left tackle in the NFL. I would like to see how he blocks against a blue collar SEC defense. It would give NFL scouts a better idea of whether Nate Potter is a legit first round prospect or a mid round flyer.
Projected Round 2nd Round
Tyler Shoemaker Wide Receiver Senior Shoemaker will transition from a speedy slot receiver to a flanker possession receiver. How long will it take for Shoemaker to successfully convert to this transition?
Right now Shoemaker is projected as an undrafted player. A big game against Georgia torching 3rd round cornerback prospect Brandon Boykin could propel Shoemaker into the late round conversation.
Projected Round Undrafted
Doug Martin Running Back Boise State Senior Redshirt Doug Martin is a physical bruiser type back. I am anxious to see how Martin performs against a legit SEC run defense.
Projected Round 4th Round
Shea McClellin Right End Boise State Senior McCleillin led Boise State with 9.5 sacks as a pass rusher for Boise State last season.
Projected Round 6th Round
Billy Winn Defensive Tackle Boise State Senior Redshirt Winn is Boise State’s best NFL prospect on the defensive line. Winn will likely be a 5 technique player once he goes to the NFL.
Projected Round 2nd Round
Chase Baker Defensive Tackle Boise State Senior Baker can be a solid run stuffer. Baker has the best chance to not get drafted among the Boise State players on this defensive line.
Projected Round Undrafted
Tyrone Crawford Left End Boise State Sen Crawford is a true 4-3 end while McClellin is a 4-3/3-4 hybrid. That may propel Crawford into the late rounds if he has a big game.
Projected Round Undrafted
Georgia Players to Watch
Aaron Murray Quarterback Georgia Sophomore Redshirt Murray will not be a first round pick in 2012, but he is a player to watch in a year from now.
Projected Round 2013 1st round Pick
Cordy Glenn Left Tackle Georgia Senior Cordy Glenn will move to left guard in the pros due to his footwork. For now Glenn will be Murray’s blindside in Georgia.
Projected Round 3rd round
Ben Jones Center Georgia Senior Ben Jones is another offensive lineman who can help Georgia out. Jones should help Murray get more time in the pocket.
Projected Round 3rd Round
Tavarres King Wide Receiver Georgia Senior King is a late round prospect who is going to be one of Aaron Murray’s primary receiving targets this season.
Projected Round 7th Round
Marlon Brown Wide Receiver Georgia Junior Marlon Brown will likely become Murray’s primary receiving target after this season. Marlon Brown has a chance to sneak into round 1 in 2013.
Projected Round 2013 2nd round pick
Orson Charles Tight End Georgia Junior Charles will be a 3rd round pick. What is uncertain is if he is a 3rd rounder in 2012 or 2013.
Projected Round 2013 3rd Round
Brandon Boykin Cornerback Georgia Senior Boykin should do well covering Shoemaker in Saturday’s matchup.
Key Matchups
Georgia’s offensive line VS Boise State’s defensive line All of Georgia’s offensive lineman weigh over 300 pounds while none of Boise State’s defensive lineman weigh 300 pounds to begin with.
Boykin VS Shoemaker That matchup could determine how successful Kellen Moore is throwing the football.
Prediction Georgia 27 Boise State 24 I am taking Georgia by a field goal. The Bulldogs have an underrated supporting cast and everyone is dismissing their chances because Boise State defeated a legit Virginia Tech team in Washington DC last season.
#3 Oregon Ducks VS #4 LSU Tigers
Players to Watch
Darron Thomas Quarterback Oregon Junior Redshirt Thomas is a dual threat quarterback. Thomas did an outstanding job as the Ducks quarterback in 2010. Thomas hopes for similar success. The only difference Thomas wants is for Oregon to be National Champions at seasons end.
Projected Round 2013 6th Round prospect
LaMichael James Running Back Oregon Junior Redshirt James had a huge year in 2010 for Oregon. I have James listed as a 2nd round prospect, but he may move down to a 3rd round prospect due to his size.
Projected Round 2nd Round
Cliff Harris Cornerback Oregon Junior The Oregon Ducks have one of the best secondaries in the country. That starts with cornerback Cliff Harris.
Projected Round 1st Round
Morris Claiborne Cornerback LSU Junior Claiborne played across from Patrick Peterson last season. Now Claiborne gets a chance to establish himself as a first round prospect.
Projected Round 2nd Round
Tyann Mathieu Cornerback LSU Sophomore Mathieu will be a top cornerback prospect in 2013. Mathieu needs to prove himself now that Patrick Peterson is gone.
Projected Round 2013 2nd Round Prospect
Key Matchup Everyone is talking about the speed of Oregon’s offense versus the physical brute force of LSU’s defense. I think there is another key matchupp to keep your eye on. The key to this game in my mind is how each teams secondaries perform.
Prediction LSU 34 Oregon 31