Utah vs Wyoming
3PM EST
Utah's well balanced offense is averaging 350
yards a game with 160 in the ground and 190 through the air. This is in
large part to one of the nation's best offensive lines which, amongst other
things, has not allowed a sack this season.
Wyoming has the nation's top pass defense, led
by versatile John Wendling, a safety with NFL cover skills.
Wendling will have his work cut out for him on Saturday as the Ute line should
enable plenty of time for quarterback Brett Ratliff to throw the ball.
Ohio State vs Michigan State
3:30 EST
The Spartans, in dire need of a win after
several deflating losses, must try and turn their fortunes around against number
one ranked Ohio State. This is an important game for Drew Stanton who
desperately needs a good performance.
Stanton will be harassed all day by one of
college football's best interior tandems. Quinn Pitcock is having a
terrific season, doing a much better job then expected rushing the
quarterback. Pitcock has improved his draft grade and is moving into the
top 60-selections.
Teammate David Patterson is also having
a fine campaign. Originally coming into the season with a late round
ranking, Patterson is moving into the middle frames. He has the ability to
be used in several defensive schemes as either a one-or-two gap lineman.
Maryland vs Virginia
3:30 PM EST
Two teams struggling in the ACC face-off hoping
to salvage a post-season bowl berth. There is a solid match-up to watch on
the line of scrimmage.
Chris Long
is a lot like his father Howie, explosive and intense. Creating a lot of
havoc in the opponents backfield, the Virginia junior plays with great speed in
every direction. Long's biggest nemesis is a lack of size as he is
controlled by large blockers. Even with that the junior still holds a top
sixty grade and will move into round one if he stays for his senior campaign in
'07.
Throughout the game it will be up to Stephon Heyer
to slow down, if not stop, Long's pursuit to the action. NFL scouts like
Heyer, a fifth year senior, who was highly rated coming into the '05 season
before a knee injury halted his campaign.
Heyer has the size and strength to contain Long
but does he possess the footwork and blocking range to offset his
athleticism?
It'll be a tough battle and both players have a
lot to gain.
Hawaii vs Fresno State 5PM EST
June Jones aerial assault is well commanded by
underclassman quarterback Colt Brennan this year. A legitimate
pro-prospect, Brennan has completed 70% of his throws during the season's
initial five games, totaling 1800 passing yards with 18 touchdown
strikes.
Brennan's top target is another underclassman, Davone
Bass. During the same five game stint Bass has accumulated 41
receptions, 499 receiving yards and 4 touchdown catches. He is another
pro-prospect on the offense who will carry early round grades in the
future. Compared to Ashley Lelie, the former first round pick from Hawaii
whose done little on the NFL-level, Bass is much more natural catching the ball
and a lot more consistent.
This weekend the pair match-up against Marcus McCauley,
one of the top three senior cornerbacks in next April's draft and a possible
first round choice. McCauley is an excellent combination of size, speed
and skill. He shuts down opponents, possessing top ball skills, and will
defend the run. And while he's prone to an occasional lapse, McCauley
offers better upside than former Bulldog Richard Marshall, taken by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of last April's draft.
Florida vs Auburn 7:45
PM EST
A huge SEC game which has national title
implications. Auburn hopes to rebound off a tough loss to Arkansas while
the second ranked Gators want to keep the momentum going.
Thus far in six games Kenny Irons,
presently the highest rated senior running back on draft boards, has had a solid
year. And while his production and playmaking have been effective, they
are not at the point where Irons has established himself as a top fifteen
choice.
This week he goes against the top rushing
defense in the conference. Florida has held opponents to under
60-yards rushing per game this year.
Earl Everett has
improved the physical nature of his game and has been more forceful against the
run this season. Marcus Thomas returned from a shortened suspension
last week with renewed vigor. Everett is a top sixty choice. Thomas
has first round physical skills yet character issues which will push him into
round two.
Michigan vs Penn State 8PM EST
An important Big Ten contest as Penn State
tries to upset Michigan on a Saturday night contest in State College, much the
same way they did against Ohio State last year. In doing so they hope to
avenge a last second loss handed to them by the Wolverines a year ago; the only
blemish during their '05 season.
The key match-ups are a pair of Penn State
offensive prospects against the Michigan front seven.
Running back Tony Hunt is exceeding the
expectations of NFL scouts and really improving his draft stock. Bearing
the brunt of the Nittany Lions offensive load, Hunt has totaled 669-yards
rushing and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.3-yards per carry. He is moving
towards the draft's first day.
Penn State also welcomes back tackle Levi Brown, who missed the past two games with a knee injury. Brown, who
rates as a top forty pick, could watch his draft stock soar with a good
performance this weekend.
Michigan boasts the top rushing defense in
America. The pass rushing duo of Lamarr Woodley and Rondell Biggs
are also quite formidable.
Brown will have the responsibilities of slowing
down Woodley and Biggs off the edge while also creating running room for
Hunt.
To date no one has accomplished this against
Michigan in '06.