#18 BAYLOR (6-0) at OKLAHOMA STATE (4-2); 4 PM ET; FOX … Baylor puts its unbeaten record on the line in Stillwater against the Cowboys in a game that features three of the most productive players in the country. Oklahoma State, in particular, has two of the most dynamic, big-play skill position players in college football in junior WR Tylan Wallace (#2, 6-0, 185) and redshirt sophomore RB Chuba Hubbard (#30, 6-0, 210). Wallace, in fact, leads all college football receivers in receiving yards over the past two years, including almost 1,500 in 2018 when he had 86 catches, along with another 700 so far this fall – 5th best in the country – on 39 receptions. Wallace isn’t necessarily all that big, but he’s very quick and athletic – he was a state triple jump medalist in high school; he’s also explosive after the catch. After his outstanding 2018 season – he was a Biletnikoff finalist – Wallace, who is currently the 39th ranked player on the GBN Big Board for the upcoming draft, was hardly an unknown to pro scouts. Not so much, though, for the Cowboys’ Hubbard, who did put up some good numbers backing up Justice Hill last fall, but he’s been a revelation so far this season, rushing for almost 1,100 yards in OSU’s 6 games. For the record, that lead’s the country – and #2 isn’t even close. In fact, Hubbard has rushed for at least 220 yards in three of the 6 games he’s played in. Oh, and did we mention he’s a Canadian who has run internationally for the red and white with a 10.6 PB over 100M. Meanwhile, CB A J Green (#4, 6-0, 190) and OG Marcus Keyes (#75, 6-3, 310) are later round prospects for Oklahoma State.
This a huge game for Baylor, which needs a road win to stay relevant in the Big XII conference race with Oklahoma and Texas on the schedule in November. And like Oklahoma State, Baylor has a national statistical leader in emerging junior DE James Lynch (#93, 6-4, 295), who is tied with Ohio State star Chase Young for second in country with 8.5 sacks. Interestingly, while both Young and Boise State’s Curtis Weaver, the nation’s leading sacker (see below), are traditional outside edge rushers, Lynch is a prototype 3-4 5-tech DE who is going to be attractive to NFL teams because of his ability to slide inside and rush the pocket on passing downs. Also keep an eye on fellow DE James Lockhart (#9, 6-2, 265), OLB Jordan Williams (#38, 6-0, 225) and WR Denzel Mims (#5, 6-2, 215).
Bonus coverage: Speaking about national statistical leaders, rising Boise State DE Curtis Weaver (#6-3, 265) sneaks onto national TV on the week when the Broncos play at BYU at 10:15 PM ET on ESPN2. As noted above, Weaver leads the country in sacks with 9 through 6 games. Indeed, Weaver is currently college football’s leading active career sacker with 38; he’s also already a three-time All-American who has at least 9.5 sacks in each of his three earlier seasons. Pro scouts will also be watching BSU junior LT Ezra Cleveland (#76, 6-5, 310), another rising Bronco who could also get plenty of second-day consideration if he opts to turn pro this winter.
Given that every team in the conference already has a loss, the PAC-12 has become kind of an afterthought in the race for the national playoff berths. However, they are still playing football on the West Coast and certainly pro scouts are still paying attention. In particular, it appears that after a round start to the campaign, Oregon QB Justin Herbert (#10, 6-5, 235) has really elevated his game of late and seems to be back in the top 5 discussion for the upcoming draft. For the record, Herbert is flirting with the 70% completion mark as he’s thrown for 267 yards per game and 17 TDs this fall against just one pick. Herbert will be tested this week when the 12th ranked Ducks play at #25 Washington at 3:30 PM ET on ABC. Of course, the Huskies have a pretty good QB of their own in Jacob Eason (#10, 6-5, 230) who has thrown for just under 250 yards of his own this fall as he has completed 66% of his tosses, including 13 for scores versus 3 picks. Each team also has a quality offensive line prospect in Ducks’ LT Calvin Throckmorton (#54, 6-5, 310) and Huskies’ C Nick Harris (#56, 6-1, 305), both of whom have second-day potential.
