Lorenzo Mauldin's first-round potential will be tested this week. (Getty Images)
FLORIDA STATE | LOUISVILLE
Thursday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Louisville, Ken. – ESPN
Teddy Bridgewater, Calvin Pryor and Marcus Smith (all 2014 first round picks) are gone, but Louisville is still loaded with NFL talent and could set a new school record for draft picks in the 2015 class (current record is six). The Cardinals defeated the Seminoles the last time these two teams matched up in 2002, but Florida State hasn't lost a game in close to two years and are a program loaded with next level players themselves. Not only does this game have serious College Football Playoff implications, but it's also arguably the most NFL talent Papa John's Cardinal Stadium has ever seen.
FIVE PROSPECTS TO FOCUS ON:
DE/OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville (6-4 | 243 | 4.73 | #94)
Louisville leads the FBS in total defense, allowing only 243.9 yards per game and Mauldin is a substantial part of that as a hybrid OLB in the Cardinals' 3-4 defense. He will line up as a rusher, which he has done his entire career, but has adjusted quickly to his new responsibilities, often standing up and dropping in coverage. Mauldin is quick-footed with easy change of direction skills to be fluid and display clean movement skills on his feet. He is a feisty player, making him tough to block, but he still needs to develop his core strength and shed technique. Mauldin and his first round potential will be tested against talented, but streaky Florida State RS senior LT Cameron Erving (6-5 | 304 | 5.16 | #75).
QB Jameis Winston, Florida State, rSO (6-4 | 235 | 4.83 | #5)
The Cardinals' top-ranked defense will present arguably the toughest challenge for Winston up to this point in 2014, a unit allowing only 177.0 passing yards per game. With a bye last weekend, the Seminoles quarterback has heard over the last two weeks how he is “back” in the Heisman race after his impressive performance against Notre Dame two weeks ago, leading his team to the comeback victory. How will he respond? If history is any indication, Winston will be at the top of his game because on the field, he seems to be in his element and comfortable regardless of the pressure or situation. But Louisville ranks top-10 in the FBS in pass defense and sacks so this test carries a little more weight.
WR DeVante Parker, Louisville, SR (6-3 | 209 | 4.48 | #9)
Entering the 2014 college football season, Parker was my top-ranked senior wide receiver prospect after his performance as a junior (55 catches, 885 yards, 12 touchdowns). But he broke a bone in his left foot in August and was sidelined for the first seven weeks of the season. Parker returned two weeks ago against NC State and quickly made an impact with nine receptions for 132 yards, his sixth career 100+ yard receiving performance. Near full health, he is one of the most impressive wideouts in the country with his tall frame, speed to stretch the field and wingspan, giving him a large catching radius. Parker vs. Seminoles junior CB P.J. Williams (6-0 | 196 | 4.48 | #26) is a must-see match-up.
DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State, JR (6-3 | 314 | 5.28 | #90)
The Seminoles lost six starters from last year's National Title defense, including second round pick DT Timmy Jernigan. But Goldman was one of the six starters who returned and might be the better NFL prospect than Jernigan. He currently leads Florida State in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (3.0) in 2014 and impacts the game with his quickness, power and ball awareness. Goldman has forceful hands and takes pride in working off blocks and being physical at the point of attack, extending his arms and not allowing blockers to dictate his path. Goldman isn't the biggest “name” on the FSU defense, but he has the talent to be highest drafted Seminoles DT since Brodrick Bunkley, who went 14th overall in 2006.
TE Gerald Christian, Louisville, rSR (6-3 | 242 | 4.76 | #18)
An underrated tight end prospect, Christian isn't one of the main weapons in the Bobby Petrino's offense at Louisville, but when he has the athleticism to get open and create as a ballcarrier. He has 22 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns in 2014, lining up inline, in the backfield and in the slot as a receiver. Christian has an athletic body type with a smooth release off the line of scrimmage, the route speed to challenge linebackers in coverage and the toughness to keep his feet after contact. He isn't the most consistent finisher as a blocker, but the Florida transfer doesn't shy from popping pads and is physical at the point of attack. Although a tad undersized, Christian will play on Sundays.
OTHER FLORIDA STATE PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
WR Rashad Greene, SR (6-0 | 178 | 4.47 | #80)
CB Ronald Darby, JR (5-11 | 188 | 4.46 | #3)
DE Mario Edwards, JR (6-3 | 294 | 4.88 | #15)
LG Josue Matias, SR (6-6 | 331 | 5.32 | #70)
TE Nick O'Leary, SR (6-3 | 244 | 4.76 | #35)
RG Tre Jackson, SR (6-4 | 339 | 5.38 | #54)
OTHER LOUISVILLE PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
CB Charles Gaines, rJR (5-11 | 175 | 4.48 | #3)
LG John Miller, SR (6-2 | 321 | 5.33 | #70)
C Jake Smith, rSR (6-3 | 312 | 5.32 | #53)
RB Michael Dyer, rSR (5-9 | 215 | 4.50 | #5)
LT Jamon Brown, SR (6-5 | 350 | 5.44 | #79)
RB Dominique Brown, rSR (6-2 | 216 | 4.62 | #10)
OTHER MATCH-UPS TO WATCH:
FLORIDA vs. GEORGIA
Saturday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m.
Jacksonville, Fla. – CBS
WHEN THE GATORS HAVE THE BALL…
Despite injuries hurting the Gators in the trenches, Florida has talent on the offensive line, including on the right side with senior RG Trenton Brown (6-8 | 350 | 5.48 | #74) and RS senior RT Chaz Green (6-5 | 300 | 5.17 | #75). As a unit, the Georgia defense has been disappointing, but the Bulldogs have several individual prospects worth watching, including RS sophomore OLB Leonard Floyd (6-3 | 220 | 4.73 | #84), who leads the team in sacks (5.0), and junior OLB Jordan Jenkins (6-2 | 246 | 4.76 | #59), who has a team-best 6.5 TFL.
WHEN THE BULLDOGS HAVE THE BALL…
The top NFL prospect for Florida is junior DE Dante Fowler (6-2 | 261 | 4.84 | #6), who has athleticism and hand use to be a devastating pass rusher with the motor to match. He has top-15 potential if he declares early for the 2015 NFL Draft. RS senior QB Hutson Mason (6-2 | 202 | 4.96 | #14) doesn't have physical tools that stand out, but his confidence has improved in his first season as the starter. With the success on the ground, Georgia hasn't had to rely on his arm to win games, but that could change vs. Florida's tough run defense.
OTHER FLORIDA PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
DT Leon Orr, rSR (6-4 | 305 | 5.14 | #8)
FB Hunter Joyer, SR (5-11 | 232 | 4.73 | #41)
OLB Neiron Ball, rSR (6-2 | 230 | 4.68 | #11)
LT D.J. Humphries, JR (6-5 | 290 | 4.97 | #70)
OTHER GEORGIA PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
ILB Ramik Wilson, SR (6-2 | 232 | 4.76 | #51)
CB Damian Swann, SR (5-11 | 178 | 4.52 | #5)
C David Andrews, SR (6-2 | 295 | 5.15 | #61)
ILB Amarlo Herrera, SR (6-0 | 244 | 4.77 | #52)
TCU at WEST VIRGINIA
Saturday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m.
Manhattan, Kan. – ABC
WHEN THE HORNED FROGS HAVE THE BALL…
One of the surprise stories of 2014 has been the TCU offense, specifically RS junior QB Trevone Boykin (6-2 | 215 | 4.57 | #2), who has a 21:3 TD:INT ratio in 2014 and averages 329.4 passing yards per game. RS junior WR Josh Doctson (6-4 | 190 | 4.51 | #9) has been Boykins favorite target, leading the team with 35 catches for 573 yards and seven scores. Senior DE/OLB Shaq Riddick (6-5 | 242 | 4.82 | #98) transferred from the FCS level and started slow with a pair of sacks in the first six games, but he has registered 4.0 sacks over the last two games.
WHEN THE MOUNTAINEERS HAVE THE BALL…
Like Boykin and the TCU offense, RS senior QB Clint Trickett (6-2 | 176 | 4.82 | #9) and the West Virginia pass offense have far exceeded expectations this season. Senior WR Kevin White (6-3 | 209 | 4.49 | #11) is a big reason for that and his battle against TCU RS senior CB Kevin White (5-10 | 175 | 4.43 | #25) will be fun to watch, and for reasons more than just the same name. While White deserves all the attention he receives, senior WR Mario Alford (5-8 | 178 | 4.39 | #5) has also impressed with six scores receiving and two as a KR.
OTHER TCU PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
DT Chucky Hunter, SR (6-1 | 305 | 5.12 | #96)
ILB Paul Dawson, SR (6-2 | 230 | 4.76 | #47)
SS Sam Carter, rSR (6-1 | 215 | 4.63 | #17)
QB Matt Joeckel, rSR (6-4 | 240 | 4.95 | #16)
OTHER WEST VIRGINIA PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
RB Dreamius Smith, SR (5-11 | 216 | 4.59 | #2)
RG Mark Glowinski, rSR (6-5 | 310 | 5.17 | #64)
LG Quinton Spain, rSR (6-5 | 332 | 5.36 | #67)
RB Rushel Shell, rSO (6-0 | 210 | 4.57 | #7)
KENTUCKY at MISSOURI
Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 p.m.
Columbiana, Mo. – SEC Network
WHEN THE WILDCATS HAVE THE BALL…
The biggest reason to watch this match-up is the pass rushers. On Missouri's defense, RS junior DE/OLB Shane Ray (6-3 | 245 | 4.54 | #56) ranks second in the country with 14.0 tackles for loss and is one of only three FBS defenders with double-digit sacks (10.0). Senior DE Markus Golden (6-3 | 260 | 4.72 | #33) isn't as dynamic, but he offers more versatility and is a well-rounded edge player, rushing the passer or stopping the run. It will be a long day for senior LT Darrian Miller (6-5 | 292 | 5.17 | #77) and the rest of the Wildcats' offensive line.
WHEN THE TIGERS HAVE THE BALL…
While Missouri has Ray and Golden, Kentucky has RS senior DE/OLB Alvin “Bud” Dupree (6-4 | 267 | 4.63 | #2) and senior DE ZaDarius Smith (6-5 | 264 | 4.83 | #94). A former TE, Dupree leads the Wildcats in tackles for loss (6.0), sacks (4.0) and QB hurries (5) from his hybrid edge rusher role in Kentucky's 3-4 defense and like Ray, is a projected first round pick. Smith lines up with his hand on the ground as both an outside and inside rusher and is tied with Dupree in total tackles (45) and not too far behind him in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (3.5).
OTHER KENTUCKY PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
QB Patrick Towles, rSO (6-5 | 236 | 4.88 | #14)
WR DeMarco Robinson, SR (5-10 | 158 | 4.49 | #9)
WR Javess Blue, SR (6-0 | 190 | 4.53 | #8)
FS Eric Dixon, SR (5-11 | 190 | 4.54 | #28)
OTHER MISSOURI PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
RB Marcus Murphy, rSR (5-9 | 195 | 4.50 | #6)
WR Darius White, rSR (6-2 | 205 | 4.56 | #89)
WR Bud Sasser, rSR (6-2 | 210 | 4.57 | #21)
LT Mitch Morse, rSR (6-5 | 305 | 5.29 | #65)
AUBURN at OLE MISS
Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.
Oxford, Miss. – ESPN
WHEN THE TIGERS HAVE THE BALL…
After finishing fourth on the team in rushing last year, senior RB Cameron Artis-Payne (5-10 | 210 | 4.58 | #44) has been the feature back for Auburn in 2014 and is currently second in the SEC with 831 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Ole Miss' secondary might be the toughest senior QB Nick Marshall (6-1 | 210 | 4.48 | #14) will face this season as he continues to try and convince scouts he can play the position in the NFL. Senior CB Senquez Golson (5-9 | 180 | 4.43 | #21) is short, but plays big with a SEC-best eight interceptions.
WHEN THE REBELS HAVE THE BALL…
Who to blame for Ole Miss' costly fourth quarter mistakes last week is irrelevant once this game kicks off and scouts will be eager to see how senior QB Bo Wallace (6-4 | 203 | 4.87 | #14) responds – can he right the ship in front of the home crowed or will the pressure be too much , especially in a close game? The Tigers might not have a future first rounder on defense, but there are over a half dozen draft picks, including at the LB level with junior MLB Cassanova McKinzy (6-2 | 249 | 4.77 | #8) and RS junior WLB Kris Frost (6-2 | 234 | 4.65 | #17).
OTHER AUBURN PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
WR Sammie Coates, rJR (6-2 | 201 | 4.36 | #18)
WR D'Haquille Williams, JR (6-2 | 216 | 4.54 | #1)
C Reese Dismukes, SR (6-3 | 296 | 5.27 | #50)
DT Gabe Wright, SR (6-2 | 285 | 4.98 | #25)
OTHER REBELS PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
FS Cody Prewitt, SR (6-2 | 212 | 4.59 | #25)
ILB D.T. Shackelford, rSR (6-1 | 252 | 4.86 | #38)
OLB C.J. Johnson, SR (6-2 | 237 | 4.67 | #10)
SS Serderius Bryant, SR (5-9 | 218 | 4.64 | #14)
STANFORD at OREGON
Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Eugene, Ore. – FOX
WHEN THE CARDINAL HAVE THE BALL…
Senior WR Ty Montgomery (6-2 | 215 | 4.46 | #7) has struggled over the years against some of the Pac-12's top cornerbacks, including senior CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (5-9 | 195 | 4.46 | #14). But Montgomery is playing with more confidence catching the ball in 2014 and he shows it frequently with the inaccuracy and inconsistent timing of RS junior QB Kevin Hogan (6-4 | 228 | 4.72 | #8). Junior LT Andrus Peat (6-7 | 312 | 5.28 | #70) has showed he's not a flawless prospect in 2014, but he's also showed why he might be a top-10 pick with his rare skills.
WHEN THE DUCKS HAVE THE BALL…
The favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, RS junior QB Marcus Mariota (6-4 | 215 | 4.52 | #8) has never beaten Stanford, bringing a 0-2 record as a starter against the Cardinal into this match-up. He has fumbled four times against Stanford the past two years and this will likely be his final chance to defeat the Cardinal. Senior LT Jake Fisher (6-6 | 299 | 5.22 | #75) is the second-best LT prospect in this game, but he's not too far behind Peat and will be tested against Stanford's power up front, notably RS senior DE Henry Anderson (6-6 | 295 | 5.06 | #91).
OTHER STANFORD PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
SS Jordan Richards, SR (5-11 | 208 | 4.57 | #8)
OLB James Vaughters, SR (6-2 | 254 | 4.73 | #9)
ILB A.J. Tarpley, rSR (6-2 | 238 | 4.84 | #17)
CB Wayne Lyons, rJR (6-1 | 196 | 4.56 | #2)
OTHER OREGON PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
DL Arik Armstead, JR (6-7 | 296 | 4.97 | #9)
C Hroniss Grasu, rSR (6-3 | 297 | 5.12 | #55)
DE/OLB Tony Washington, rSR (6-3 | 250 | 4.73 | #91)
SS Erick Dargan, rSR (5-11 | 212 | 4.62 | #4)
UTAH at ARIZONA STATE
Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 p.m.
Tempe, Ariz. – Fox Sports 1
WHEN THE UTES HAVE THE BALL…
With senior WR Dres Anderson (6-2 | 190 | 4.53 | #6) out for the year, senior WR Kaelin Clay (5-10 | 188 | 4.53 | #8) and RS senior TE Westlee Tonga (6-4 | 252 | 4.84 | #80) will need to step up for the Utes' offense and help their draft stocks in the process. RS senior FS Damarious Randall (6-0 | 190 | 4.56 | #3) isn't the biggest and tends to be overaggressive, but he has NFL speed, awareness and a motor that won't quit. Senior DE Marcus Hardison (6-4 | 298 | 4.96 | #1) looks like a DT, but leads ASU in sacks (4.0) as an edge rusher.
WHEN THE SUN DEVILS HAVE THE BALL…
Although he doesn't look quite 100% healthy, RS senior QB Taylor Kelly (6-2 | 211 | 4.84 | #10) is back on the field for the Sun Devils after missing three starts with a right foot injury. He entered the season as a projected day three draft pick and has a chance to help himself the next two weeks against Utah and Notre Dame at home. He will rely on RS junior WR Jaelen Strong (6-4 | 212 | 4.55 | #21), who is third in the Pac-12 with 744 receiving yards and will often match-up against Utah versatile senior CB Eric Rowe (6-1 | 201 | 4.53 | #18).
OTHER UTAH PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
DE Nate Orchard, SR (6-4 | 255 | 4.76 | #8)
ILB Jared Norris, rJR (6-2 | 237 | 4.68 | #41)
LG Junior Salt, rSR (6-2 | 315 | 5.24 | #59)
SS Brian Blechen, rSR (6-2 | 216 | 4.70 | #4)
OTHER ARIZONA STATE PROSPECTS TO WATCH:
RB D.J. Foster, JR (5-11 | 203 | 4.49 | #8)
LT Jamil Douglas, rSR (6-4 | 300 | 5.09 | #74)
FB DeMarieya Nelson, rSR (6-2 | 224 | 4.76 | #12)
DL Jaxon Hood, JR (6-0 | 300 | 5.01 | #92)
NFL Hot News
Rams WR Brian Quick needs shoulder surgery, out for season
Not much is going right for the St. Louis Rams, losers of three of their last four games, and now they've lost their best wide receiver for the duration. Brian Quick suffered a left shoulder injury during the second quarter of Sunday's defeat in Kansas City. Head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed Monday that Quick suffered a dislocation and a torn labrum to that shoulder and needs season-ending surgery.Prior to the injury, Quick led the Rams with 375 receiving yards. Only tight end Lance Kendricks (four) has scored more touchdowns for St. Louis than Quick (three).
The third-year receiver out of Appalachian State was having a breakout year through Week 5. But he caught only four passes for 53 yards after that. Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook will ostensibly become the heads of this receiving corps, but it's not an appealing one for fantasy owners. The Rams' offense looks lost right now. The O-line is falling apart -- Jake Long is out for the year after an ACL tear Sunday -- St. Louis has no idea what it wants to do with its running backs, it can't find a way to involve Tavon Austin consistently, Austin Davis isn't more than an average quarterback, and this whole show is being directed by one of the worst OCs some years running now, Brian Schottenheimer.And look at the Rams' upcoming schedule: at San Francisco, at Arizona, hosting Denver, at San Diego. They look well on their way to 2-9.
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