Welcome to the 2014 debut edition of the Titans Fan Guide! This is where you can find all the interesting draft prospects, little minutiae, and other interesting nuggets of key college games around the country every weekend. This year, I've decided to expand the guide into two separate posts. One post for the Thursday game(s) and the other for the weekend action with the occasional #MACtion games (they usually play these on Tuesdays). With all that said, it's time to get the party started!
(21) Texas A&M at (9) South Carolina 6 PM EDT SEC Network
- The first marquee matchup of a first week full of them (trust me, go look up Saturday's schedule. It's insane). Also it's the first game for the brand new SEC Network. This game features both teams who need to replace superstars who went on the pros. All eyes will be on Texas A&M's new QB Kenny Hill, who has the unfortunate task of trying to replace the electrifying (both on and off the field) Johnny Manziel in College Station. Hill's blockers should get most of the attention, however as they are really good and NFL ready. Will the Aggies' horrid defense show improvement in 2014? How will South Carolina replace Mr. Clowney?
Texas A&M prospects
1. Cedric Ogbuehi OT 6'5 300 RS Senior (#2 on the Big Board)
- The next great tackle out of A&M, following the likes of Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews. Ogbuehi could have been a first round pick this year but opted to return to school for his senior season. It will be interesting to see if he follows the Matthews plan as the lone anchor of a young OL. Projected Top 10 pick.
2. Javon Harrison OG 6'3 325 RS Senior (NR)
- Harrison has developed nicely into a road grader type of guard who needs some work on the technical side of things. Should be a mid round pick if things go well in 2014. A former two star recruit who made good.
3. Deshazor Everett DB 5'11 188 Senior (NR)
- Everett is the leader of that aforementioned terrible defense. He's a major character concern as he was suspended for a half in A&M's opener last year (for a bar fight) and got ejected for targeting in the second half of that game. Also was suspended from all team activities for one month for the bar fight. When he's able to get on the field, Everett can play both corner and safety. He isn't the most technically sound tackler and shows a tendency to go for the home run hit. I wouldn't take him until the fifth or sixth round at the earliest.
South Carolina prospects
1. Mike Davis RB 5'9 215 Junior South Carolina (#51)
- Marcus Lattimore's heir apparent had a great season as the full time back. He ran for just under 1,200 yards and had 11 touchdowns.
2. Corey Robinson OT 6'8 345 Senior South Carolina (#92)
- This year's version of Tiny Richardson. Robinson is a massive mountain at tackle and moves the pile very well. Robinson has the potential to be Bryant McKinnie in the pros (who's had a solid pro career to date). An underrated tackle who might sneak into the second and round conversation with a great year.
Other games of note
Boise State vs. (18) Ole Miss 8 PM EDT ESPN
- Our first neutral site action of the season! Boise State gets their annual one "tough" game a year while replacing their former head coach, Chris Peterson (who went to Washington). Ole Miss has a bevy of talented sophomores that could go high in the 2016 draft led by standout DE Robert Nkemdiche and WR Laquan Treadwell. Also, apparently BSU will be wearing orange helmets for this game, so there is that.
Game site: Georgia Dome (home of the Atlanta Falcons, obviously)