College Football Week 2 Games to Watch
By Editorial Staff
Thursday September 8th
Arizona 1-0 (0-0) VS #9 Oklahoma State (0-0) 8 PM ESPN
Arizona Players to Watch
Nick Foles QB Arizona Foles is the best PAC 12 quarterback prospect after Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley. He may sneak into the late part of round 1 or his stock could drop making him a late round pick.
Juron Criner WR Arizona People are saying that Criner is the better draft prospect than Foles. Even though I disagree right now Criner may be a player to keep an eye on.
Oklahoma State Players to Watch
Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State Weeden is a mid round prospect.
Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State Blackmon is one of the best wide receivers in college football. After Alshon Jeffery Blackmon is arguably the top receiver in the country. Jeffery did not have his best game against East Carolina last week. A huge game by Blackmon and a poor game by Jeffery against Georgia Saturday night could tempt me to have Blackmon jump Jeffery in my draft boards.
Oklahoma State Bookend Tackles Left Tackle Nick Martinez is Weeden’s blindside. Right tackle Levi Adcock is a higher graded prospect in my 2012 NFL Mock Draft. Arizona lost defensive end pass rushers Brooks Reid and Ricky Elmore in the 2011 NFL Draft so Oklahoma State’s offensive line has a major edge heading into this contest.
Friday September 9th
#21 Missouri 1-0 (0-0) VS Arizona State 1-0 (0-0)
Player to Watch
Vontaze Burfict MLB Arizona State Burfict is a middle linebacker who can pass rush and inflict pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Saturday September 10th 2011
#16 Mississippi State 1-0 (0-0) VS Auburn 1-0 (0-0) 12:21 PM SEC Network
Players to Watch
Mississippi State offensive tackles Mississipi State has James Carmon at left tackle and Addison Lawrence at right tackle who run block well despite losing Derrick Sherrod.
Vick Ballard RB Mississippi State Ballard will have to use his ball carrier vision in this contest. The offensive line will open up the lanes with Auburn’s defensive line losing 3 defensive tackles from last season including Fairley.
#3 Alabama 1-0 (0-0) VS #23 Penn State 1-0 (0-0) 3:30 ABC
Players to Watch
Alabama run blocking offensive line Alabama has a very good run blocking offensive line that can open up the lanes for Trent Richardson.
Trent Richardson RB Alabama Trent Richardson should have a huge day running the football unless Penn State’s linebackers step up.
Marquis Maze WR Alabama Maze is Alabama’s primary receiving target thanks to the departure of Julio Jones.
Alabama Nose Tackles Josh Chapman and Kerry Murphy could have big games at nose tackle for Alabama.
Alabama Linebackers Alabama has Courtney Upshaw, Donta Hightower, Nico Johnson, Jerrell Harris, and CJ Mosley at linebacker. Alabama’s linebackers should be able to contain Penn State’s running game.
Alabama Secondary Alabama’s secondary features Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron, Robert Lester, and DeMarcus Milliner. This is a very good Alabama secondary.
Penn State Run Blocking Offensive Line Penn State has a really good run blocking offensive line this season.
Silas Redd RB Penn State Silas Redd is a great running back at Penn State. Despite seeing limited action as a freshman where he rushed for 437 rushing yards as a freshman.
Penn State Linebackers If anyone on Penn State’s defense stops Trent Richardson it will be the linebackers. Penn State is known by many as Linebacker U due to their ability to generate a factory of linebacker prospects each year.
Penn State Secondary Everyone on Penn State’s secondary enters their senior year. Penn State’s secondary has to get some interceptions if Penn State has any chance of winning in Happy Valley on Saturday.
Cincinnati 1-0 (0-0) VS Tennessee 1-0 (1-0) 3:30 PM ESPN 2
Players to Watch
Isiah Pead RB Cincinnati The Cincinnati rusher will try to rush for over 100 rushing yards against an SEC defense.
Tauren Poole RB Tennessee Poole is going to need another big year for Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray to keep the Vol’s offense balanced.
#12 South Carolina 1-0 (0-0) VS Georgia 0-1 (0-0) 4:30 ESPN
Players to Watch
Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina Jeffery is the top receiver in the country heading into this season. Jeffery was limited to 5 receptions for 92 receiving yards last week against East Carolina. Jeffery needs to step up to keep his draft stock in check.
South Carolina Defensive Ends South Carolina has Melvin Ingram at right end and Devin Taylor at left end. These pass rushers should be able to get to the opposing quarterback.
Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina Gilmore needs to have a big game after struggling in coverage against Lance Lewis.
Cordy Glenn LG Georgia Glenn needs to rebound after having a bad game against Boise State.
Ben Jones C Georgia Jones is another Georgia offensive lineman at center. He needs to have a strong game for his draft stock to rebound.
Utah 1-0 (0-0) VS USC 1-0 (0-0)
Players to Watch
Matt Barkley QB USC Matt Barkley is one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. This is the first chance to see him in action this year as a junior.
Matt Kalil LT USC USC has one of the worst offensive lines now that Tyron Smith is gone. Kalil is the one who keeps things balanced on the Trojans offensive line. Kalil is an elite college lineman, but I am doubting his ability to translate his skills at the next level because he lacks the size and footwork of a blue chip left tackle.
Notre Dame 0-1 (0-0) VS Michigan 1-0 (0-0)
Players to Watch
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame The senior wide receiver has to have a big game for the Fighting Irish if Notre Dame’s offense is going to put up points. Tommy Rees will start for Notre Dame this week.
Manti Teo 3-4 MLB Notre Dame Teo is a middle linebacker in the 3-4 and can play the WILL, MIKE, or SAM in the 4-3. Teo will have to contain the dual threat ability of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson if Notre Dame is to win this contest.
David Molk C Michigan Molk is one of the better centers in the country in terms of intangibles.