#10 Oklahoma State at #9 Oklahoma 12:30 PM FS1
"Bedlam"
- The de facto Big 12 championship will be decided in Norman this afternoon. The Cowboys are coming off a perfunctory 31-6 defeat of TCU while the Sooners destroyed the Mountaineers in snowy Morgantown 56-28. Can the 'Pokes keep up with the high powered Sooners offense? Will the Baker Mayfield get an invite to New York? Oklahoma has dominated this series historically and since the millennium. Can Mike Gundy's awesome mullet power the underdog Cowboys to an upset?
Oklahoma State prospect to watch
1. Mason Rudolph 6'3 230 QB Junior
- Rudolph is this year's Bryce Petty in that he is in a pass happy system that won't feature a lot of pro style schematics. Oklahoma State's offense is a pistol based one read and go system with some shotgun looks. Rudolph looks the part with exceptional arm talent and other physical traits but the system hampers him on the mental side of things. His deep ball is a thing of beauty when he can get it off.
Oklahoma prospects to watch
1. Joe Mixon 6'1 227 RB Junior
- Mixon is a talented back with good vision and instincts. His athleticism is very good. However, the off field history is entirely another story. He was suspended for the entire 2015 season for punching a woman in the face and was recorded on video doing so. Obviously with the heightened awareness of varying crimes against females shown by the NFL, this isn't a good look for him. He's only recently apologized for the incident in what seems like a PR stunt to save his stock but has shown little remorse for it. Based on character, he is in UDFA territory and would be a surprise if teams take a chance on him even in free agency.
2. Jordan Evans 6'2 235 ILB Senior
- He has been the steadying veteran force for a youthful Sooners defense trying to find itself. He's a classic defensive general type of mike linebacker that marshals his teammates. Athleticism is somewhat limited but his instincts make up for it. Every time I watch Oklahoma, he's always around the ball making plays.
3. DeDe Westbrook 5'11 175 WR Senior
- Westbrook has blown up during his senior season under the second year stewardship of OC Lincoln Riley. While he likely can't match John Ross in terms of overall athleticism (not a lot of folks can) but he is plenty athletic himself. Speed and agility is a major plus to his game. Route running technician. Knows how and when to use his elite speed to set up the DB for route depth.
#1 Alabama vs. #15 Florida 4:00 PM CBS
"Alabama's annual pit stop in Atlanta before the national title aka SEC Championship"
Location: Georgia Dome, soon to be former home of the Atlanta Falcons
- The Crimson Tide machine is rolling as expected and Florida stands little chance of stopping it. Alabama is coming off a hard fought Iron Bowl win last week while the Florida was demolished last week by Florida State. Florida has very little to compete with on offense against the mighty Tide defense. Not much to say here but to expect to see a short sometimes angry little man clad in Alabama gear and headset holding up the SEC sign and trophy by 8 PM.
Alabama prospects to watch
*the entire defensive depth chart, freshmen included*
1. Johnathan Allen 6'3 294 DL Senior
- The best defensive lineman in college football, no questions asked. Athleticism is elite for his position group. Instincts are above average. Tackling fundamentals are a major plus. Allen had a monstrous 2015 but chose to stay in school and he hasn't lost a step this year. He would be a seamless fit for the Titans' 3-4 defense but is versatile enough to play in any scheme. Type of player you mold the scheme around him instead of the other way around.
2. Reuben Foster 6'1 236 LB Senior
- Foster is in a tight contest with Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham for the title of best ILB in the country. A former five star recruit (aren't they all at Bama?) has more than lived up to his lofty billing. Reggie Ragland who? Foster has great athleticism for a guy his size. Big hitter that can get lost in the wash at times. Overall as a 'backer, he's between C.J. Mosely and Ragland. Instincts aren't as good as Mosley but his athleticism is better than Ragland's.
3. Marlon Humphrey 6'1 196 CB RS Sophomore
- Possibly the best corner in this year's class but he's in the discussion at the very least. Has the size that NFL teams love in their corners. Athleticism isn't the best but he's good enough at it to keep up with more fleet footed receivers. A sound technician at the position. Ball skills will have to be coached up but it can be worked on. A better prospect than previous Alabama corners.
4. Dalvin Tomlinson 6'2 305 DT RS Senior
- The unheralded glue guy that keeps the star studded defensive line humming. Tomlinson is having a pretty solid 2016 campaign doing the dirty work inside so his teammates can go make plays. Underrated athlete that's stuck in between the 4-3 DT and 3-4 NT positions.
Florida prospects to watch
1. Jalen "Teez" Tabor 6'0 200 CB Junior
- Tabor has been consistently in the top 3 or 4 cornerbacks list all year. Athleticism is very good. Versatility is a big plus as he's been used outside and inside. Football IQ is a plus. Ball skills are good (pass deflections, interceptions, etc). Hips are another plus with him. Can turn and run with the best. I think he's better than Vernon Hargreaves as a prospect and that guy was a top 15 pick last year.
2. Quincy Wilson 6'1 213 CB Junior
- Wilson is 2016's Tabor to Tabor's Hargreaves. An elite cover corner and a willing tackler. Teams will love his 6'1 frame due to the Legion of Boom in Seattle. While not as fast as Tabor, he's plenty fast for the position. Instincts are off the charts good. Receivers tend to get lost on Wilson's Way. Routinely demands that he gets to cover the opponent's top receiver.
3. Caleb Brantley 6'2 295 DT RS Junior
- Brantley has emerged in 2016 as a dominant tackle after sitting behind some major talent for a couple of years. Athleticism isn't the greatest but his instincts offset some of those concerns. Football IQ is very good. Lateral agility and footwork is above average. Has a pretty good arsenal of pass rush moves. Uncanny ability to time the snap perfectly.
#3 Clemson at #23 Virginia Tech 8 PM ABC
"ACC Championship"
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida (2016-17 national title site)
Clemson prospects to watch
1. DeShaun Watson 6'2 210 QB Junior
- The nation's best quarterback prospect this year. Watson, if he stays healthy and produces like he's expected to, should be the top pick next year. He has all the intangibles, especially toughness because he beat South Carolina during his freshman year on a torn ACL. His game and frame are similar to Teddy Bridgewater. Declared for the draft.
2. Mike Williams 6'4 210 WR Junior
- Williams returns to action as he missed the entirety of the 2015 season after injuring his neck in a collision with the goal post during the first game. He has a ton of speed and agility similar to former teammate, Steelers WR Martavis Bryant. Great route runner as well. Declared for the draft.
3. Cordrea Tankersley 6'1 200 CB Senior
- Mackensie Alexander who? Tankersley has that kind of ability. He is the veteran and defensive general of the Tigers secondary going through a rebuilding phase. Fundamentally sound as a tackler. Work ethic is good. One of the top corner prospects in the country.
4. Carlos Watkins 6'3 305 DT RS Senior
- The next great Tigers defensive lineman in the factory. Not the best athlete in the world but gets the job done in steady manner. Knows how to use his size to leverage his lack of athleticism. Projects as a nose tackle in a 3-4 or needs to be paired with a more athletic tackle in a 4-3.
Virginia Tech prospects to watch
1. Isaiah Ford 6'2 190 WR Junior
- Ford could be one of the nation's best receivers this year as new HC Justin Fuente unleashes a high power offensive attack in Blacksburg. He has been a consistent weapon for the Hokies during his career despite the general lack of offensive prowess displayed by VT during the latter stages of Frank Beamer's coaching regime (0-0 ties were celebrated like Super Bowl victories by Beamer, just a joke there, Bonzos). A tall, lanky receiver type like former Titan Justin Hunter that needs to add some more weight to hold up against NFL DBs. An excellent route runner that possesses a veteran savvy about little tricks to fool opposing defenders. Footwork is above average. Plus athleticism. Could go high as the third or fourth round on measureables alone.
#6 Wisconsin vs. #7 Penn State 8 PM FOX
"Big Ten Championship"
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Wisconsin prospects to watch
1. Corey Clement 5'10 227 RB Senior
- Clement was the heir to Melvin Gordon's throne as the next great Badgers RB in 2015. It wasn't a banner year for him as he dealt with injuries that cost most of the year and ended with a fight in November. 2016 looks to be much brighter for him as he's healthy and let go of the selfish ego issues. A typical Wisconsin style big back with a decent amount of athleticism. After a slow start to 2016, he has really come on as of late.
Penn State prospect to watch
1. Saquon Barkley 5'11 225 RB Sophomore
- Barkley is one of the more underrated talents at the position but expect to hear his name a lot more next year. He's a bigger back but has the athleticism of a guy much smaller. Good instincts as well. Knows where the hole is and hits it hard. A breakout sophomore campaign so far. On pace for 500 touches in two years (which isn't brutally heavy but a concern nonetheless).