First full college weekend kicks off tonite … The really big games on this the first full weekend of college football are on Saturday when Notre Dame travels to Ohio State and defending national champion Georgia hosts Oregon, but the week actually kicks off later tonight with several games that could be of interest to draft watchers. If you can find it on the cable dial, Thursday’s match-up between Central Michigan and Oklahoma State (7 PM ET, FS1), for example could be the only real national exposure for CMU RB Lew Nichols (#7, 5-11, 225) who led all of FBS in rushing last year with 1,850 yards and 16 TDs. Meanwhile, Penn State and Purdue will jump start the big Ten schedule this evening (8 PM ET; FOX). Of course, there will be lots of chances to watch Penn State this year; Purdue not so much. And that’s too bad because the Boilermakers have arguably the best QB in the conference not names CJ Stroud in Aidan O’Connell (#16, 6-3, 210) who completed over 70% if his pass attempts last fall when he threw for over 3,700 yards and 28 TDs. The Boilermakers also have a very opportunistic safety in Cam Allen (#10, 6-0, 195), who had 4 picks last fall, along with one of the better PRs in college football in Iowa transfer Charlie Jones (#15, 6-0, 190). For good measure, tonight’s action also includes of one of the better so-called ‘Backyard Brawls’ in college football as West Virginia and Pittsburgh renew acquaintances for the first time in over a decade (7 PM ET; ESPN). And adding a little spice to this one is the fact that both teams will start former Southern Cal stars with Kedon Slovis (#9, 6-3, 215) now at Pitt and JT Daniels (#18, 6-2, 230) leading the Mountaineers. The Panthers also have a couple of intriguing defensive linemen DT Calijah Kancey (#8, 6-0, 280) and DE Habakkuk Baldonaldo (#87, 6-5, 260). WVU also has a pretty good defensive lineman of their own in Dante Stills (#55, 6-4, 285) who has 19 career sacks, as well as a very good offensive line anchored by C Zach Frazier (#54, 6-3, 310) and OG Doug Nestor (#72, 6-6, 320).
