Tough duty pulling out key games to highlight this week. In preparation for conference schedules, most of which begin in earnest this Saturday, many teams have scheduled cup-cake games in which to tune up their teams and game plans for the conference gauntlets they begin on the 22nd. But fear not, there are good games if you are flexible and use your recording devices to avoid schedule time conflicts.
Sat. Sept 15th 3:30/ET ESPN
BOISE STATE @ OKLAHOMA STATE BY 4
If this game was being played in Boise I would pick the Broncos to win. But Boone Pickens Stadium has become a serious home field advantage during the MIKE GUNDY era in Stillwater. This is a retooling year for the Cowboys, who return only 12 starters from last season and are learning how to live life without QB MASON RUDOLPH, who is riding the bench in the NFL these days. BOISE has the clear advantage at the QB position with the presence of BRETT RYPIEN, and yes he is the son of former NFL QB starter MARK. But at home the well balanced Cowboys, will continue to blend in their Freshman recruits, which number over 2 dozen.
BOISE prospects to watch:
#4 BRETT RYPIEN QB 6’2/205
#7 A.J. RICHARDSON WR 6’0/213
#91 DURRANT MILES DE 6’5/266
#14 TYLER HORTON CB 5’11/185
OKIE STATE prospects to watch;
#1 JALEN McCLESKEY WR/RS 5’10/170
#75 MARCUS KEYES OG 6’3/300 JR
#79 DARRION DANIELS DT 6’3/300
#19 JUSTIN PHILLIPS LB 6’0/230
Sat. Sept 15th 3:30/ET CBS
L.S.U. @ AUBURN by 7
As usual the Bayou Bengals are offensively challenged. And as usual the Auburn program is talented and deep on Defense. That is a bad equation for LSU. And on top of that Auburn has one of the best QB in the SEC in Junior, Baylor transfer JARRETT STIDHAM. STIDHAM looked good last season and should be even better this year. Combine roster strength with home field and I think LSU will struggle to score a TD. Smells like another W for Auburn to me.
LSU players to watch:
#4 NICK BROSSETTE RB 6’0/218
#84 FOSTER MOREAU TE 6’6/255
#78 GARRETT BRUMFIELD OG 6’3/300
#90 RASHARD LAWRENCE DT 6’3/300 JR
#30 DEVIN WHITE LB 6’1/260 JR
#26 JOHN BATTLE S 6’3/201
#36 COLE TRACY K 6’0/185
AUBURN top prospects:
#8 JARRETT STIDHAM QB 6’3/215 JR
#23 RYAN DAVIS WR 5’9/175
#27 CHANDLER COX TE/FB 6’1/239
#95 DONTRVIUS RUSSELL DT 6’3/310
#5 DERRICK BROWN DT 6’5/316 JR
#57 DESHAUN DAVIS LB 5’11/245
#49 DARRELL WILLIAMS LB 6’2/245
Sat. Sept 15th 8:00/ET ABC
OHIO STATE by 8 vs. T.C.U. @ Arlington
TCU is a Top 12 team IMO, and this game is pretty much a home game as far as fan support is concerned, but the Buckeyes are loaded with top young talent that should keep getting better with every game. The key will be for the Buckeyes to jump all over the Horned Frogs right away. Ohio State must also protect the ball on Offense.
Buckeyes top Draft prospects:
#21 PARRIS CAMPBELL WR 6’1/208
#83 TERRY McLAURIN WR 6’1/205
#59 ISAIAH PRINCE OT 6’7/310
#97 NICK BOSA DE 6’4/265 JR
#86 DRE’MONT JONES DT 6’3/290 JR
#4 JORDAN FULLER SS 6’2/207 JR
#46 DAMON ARNETTE CB 6’0/195 JR
TCU prospects to watch:
#25 KAVONTAE TURPIN WR/RS 5’9/160
#15 BEN BANOGU DE 6’4/245
#91 L.J. COLLIER DE 6’4/270
#2 TY SUMMERS LB 6’2/240
#31 RIDWAN ISSAHAKU S 6’1/195
Sat. Sept 15th 8:00/ET FOX
SOUTHERN CAL @ TEXAS by 3
The Trojans are battling to replace star QB SAM DARNOLD and it did not go well at all last weekend against Stanford. But overall there is still a lot of talent on that USC roster. TEXAS is looking to establish as reality, the concept that the TOM HERMAN era in Austin is well under way and good things are on the way… and soon. So a home game against another top program is very meaningful for the Longhorns. Count me among those who feel Texas needs to, and will, win this big home game. But I would expect a close contest. TEXAS has 14 returning starters from last season, and some strong and voluminous senior leadership to lean on.
TROJAN prospects to watch:
#82 TYLER PETITE TE 6’4/250
#50 TOA LOBENDAHN OC 6’3/290
#77 CHRIS BROWN OG 6’5/310
#45 PORTER GUSTIN OLB/ER 6’5/255
#35 CAMERON SMITH IB 6’2/250
#24 ISAIAH LENGLEY CB 6’0/175
#8 IMAN MARSHALL CB 6’1/205
#7 MARVIN TELL FS 6’2/195
TEXAS prospects to watch:
#47 ANDREW BECK TE 6’4/260
#77 PATRICK VAHE OG 6’3/325
#44 BRECKYN HAGER DE 6’3/270
#97 CHRIS NELSON DT 6’2/310
#90 CHARLES OMENIHU DE 6’6/275
#45 ANTHONY WHEELER LB 6’2/235
#2 KRIS BOYD CB 6’0/195
Enjoy your weekend game viewing and gird your loins for next weekend as most teams engage in Conference play.
Pigskin
