TFG: Starry Saturday Showdown Edition

#4 Clemson at #20 NC State 3:30 PM ABC

- Clemson travels to Raleigh to take on a surprisingly good Wolfpack program that is in contention for the ACC Atlantic title. Effectively, a loser goes home game. Clemson cannot afford another loss should it want to remain in the playoff hunt or win its own division. NC State is trying to recover from being soundly beaten by Notre Dame. Clemson’s only loss is to plucky Syracuse. Can the Tigers avoid an upset? Matchup to watch: OT Mitch Hyatt vs. DE Bradley Chubb.

Clemson prospects to watch

1. Mitch Hyatt 6'5 304 OT Junior

- The best tackle in the class and it isn't particularly close. He has started at left tackle since he first stepped on campus and hasn't looked back. Very fundamentally sound. One of the most dominant left tackles that I've seen in a long time.

2. Deon Cain 6'1 190 WR Junior

- It can be argued that he's one of the fastest deep threat receivers in the country. A terrific overall athlete with much better route running skills than anticipated. He has been relatively quiet in the past month or so due to QB issues. Is he the next stud receiver from Clemson to go pro early?

3. Christian Wilkins 6'4 300 DL Junior

- Has played both tackle and end in his career. Great athlete. Impressive tackling skills. The general for the feared Tigers defense that has shown very little regression from last year. Work ethic and character are pluses.

4. Dexter Lawrence 6'4 340 DT Sophomore

- He hasn't been the dominant freshman that took the country by storm last year but still effective as a sophomore. Will likely be the man next year for Clemson if Wilkins leaves.

NC State prospect to watch

1. Bradley Chubb 6'4 260 DE Senior

- Chubb is one of the best defensive ends in the country, if not in the entire ACC. He's a pass rushing terror. A top 20 lock next April. Above average athlete. Fundamentally sound defender. I'm a huge fan of his game. I have him as the best 4-3 defensive end in the country. He's that good. Seriously. Notre Dame held him in check last week but still had a play or two.

#15 Iowa State at West Virginia 3:30 PM ESPN2

- The high flying Cyclones travel to Morgantown in what could be a defining weekend for the Big 12. West Virginia suffered a huge loss to Oklahoma State where nothing really worked. Iowa State has been flying up the rankings this year as a result of their upset of Oklahoma. Can the Cyclones keep on churning against a Mountaineers team out for redemption?

Iowa State prospect to watch

1. Joel Lanning 6'2 236 QB/LB Senior

- Lanning has been a revelation at linebacker this year after being a QB for most of his stay in Ames. It's remarkable how fast his transition to the position has been. He did play both offense and defense on occasion this year (notably against Oklahoma). Could be a steal for someone late (looking at you, New England).

West Virginia prospects to watch

1. Will Grier 6'2 205 QB RS Junior

- Grier is an underrated prospect in this year's class. He has a big arm and often loves it too much. He had a terrible game last week against Oklahoma State, throwing four interceptions. He transferred from Florida after a PED suspension that cost him a full year. Fits Dana Holgerson's system well.

2. David Sills V 6'4 203 WR Junior

- Sills' story is an interesting one. He was the 13 year old kid that Lane Kiffin offered a scholarship to way back when. Transitioned to receiver very well in college. It's been very natural to him. A solid deep threat and excellent route runner. Can go up and get it.

#5 Oklahoma at #11 Oklahoma State 4 PM FS1

- BEDLAM. Yes, it’s this early on the calendar when the game is traditionally played on Thanksgiving weekend. That decision was made by the Big 12 to give it more meaning. Possibly the best game of the day. College GameDay is in Stillwater for this one. It’s rare for GameDay to travel to back to back games in which rival networks are showing the game. So this is big.

Oklahoma prospects to watch

1. Baker Mayfield 6'1 215 QB RS Senior

- Mayfield is up to his old tricks again. He's a dynamic athlete that can play QB with the best of them. A divisive figure within the scouting community due to athleticism. Has a ton of Johnny Football in him except with much better passing ability. Should be invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation. He's just so much fun to watch.

2. Mark Andrews 6'5 254 TE RS Junior

- The best tight end prospect in the nation without question. Andrews is the presumptive favorite for the Mackey Award at this point in the season. He's been a force to deal with for the majority of his career. A great athlete. Route running is a plus.

Oklahoma State prospects to watch

1. James Washington 6'0 205 WR Junior

- The best receiver in the country and it isn't particularly close. It just isn't the system inflating his numbers either. He's a legitimate talent. Excellent route runner. Elite speed and agility.

2. Mason Rudolph 6'5 230 QB Senior

- Rudolph has been the most consistent quarterback in this year's class by far. Great arm talent. Accuracy and IQ are very good. Experienced as he is a four year starter in Stillwater. Could be the most talented QB in the class. First round draft pick lock, only debate is when.

#19 LSU at #2 Alabama 8 PM CBS

- The Bayou Bengals make a short trip to Tuscaloosa in the annual SEC West rivalry. Expect Bama to come out firing after the playoff committee unexpectedly gave Nick Saban the fuel he needed by ranking the Tide 2 instead of 1. Can LSU muster enough offense to keep up with the Tide? Will the Crimson machine just keep on rolling against an equally talented Tigers defense? My prediction: Bama 24 LSU 10

LSU prospects to watch

1. Arden Key 6'6 265 DE/LB Junior

- Key could be the most talented edge rusher in all of college football this year. He should be a pretty high first round pick. Plus athleticism even at his size. A freak athlete that is learning to be very disciplined in gap integrity. The next great Tigers defensive stud? However, he has been a little inconsistent this year. Also, there have been rumblings of personal issues that forced him to miss spring camp.

2. Derrius Guice 5'11 218 RB Junior

- Leonard Fournette who? Guice served as Fournette's talented understudy before taking over full time this year. He overshadowed his predecessor at times last year. An elite athlete at the position. Vision and instincts are major pluses as well. Liable to score from anywhere on the field.

Alabama prospects to watch

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick 6'1 203 CB Junior

- The nation's best cornerback prospect and it isn't particularly close, either. Impact day one starter even as a freshman. Elite athlete. Position versatile as he played safety a ton last year after Eddie Jackson went down with injury. He's good. Not much left to be said. Possibly the most talented of the Bama corners of recent lore. Minkah is pretty much a lock to win the Jim Thorpe Award.

2. Calvin Ridley 6'1 188 WR Junior

- The Tide's WR1 this year. Pretty good athlete. Outstanding route runner. Above average blocker. Terrific 2017 campaign. Debatable if he stays in school or goes pro.

3. Rashaan Evans 6'4 234 LB RS Senior

- Evans is a beast. He got next in the long line of great Tide linebackers that are inevitable pros. He is a playmaker all over the field and the stats show it. Had a monstrous game against Florida State. He very well could be my favorite linebacker in this year's class.

4, Damien Harris 5'11 221 RB Junior

- Harris has emerged as the lead back in Tide's crowded backfield. Mark Ingram who? TJ Yeldon who? He's that talented. Speed is a plus. Instincts and IQ are as well. The workhorse back that has won the job over the much more hyped Bo Scarborough. Interesting to see if he declares for the draft or not.

#13 Virginia Tech at #10 Miami 8 PM ABC

- No it’s not birthright that these two rivals have to meet on Thursday nights. The Hokies are actually fun on offense for a change (sorry Bonzos, I’m too scarred from the latter years of the Beamer regime). Miami is undefeated after several lucky breaks in recent weeks. Mark Richt has them back to being THE Miami we’re so used to. VT HC Justin Fuente is starting to get some mentions for some high profile coaching vacancies, namely Florida and Tennessee being a possibility. Can the Canes keep themselves undefeated against a game Hokies squad? Turnover chain against Enter Sandman.

Virginia Tech prospect to watch

1. Cam Phillips 6'0 202 WR Junior

- He could be one of the more underrated receivers in the country if not the entire ACC. Excellent ball skills and great agility. Speed is a plus. He's been on the radar even as a freshman. High points the ball very well.

Miami prospects to watch

1. Chad Thomas 6'6 275 DE Senior

- Thomas is the Hurricanes' best defensive lineman and has been for a number of years now. He's a quick twitch athlete with a bit of power in his game. A former five star recruit that has more than lived up to the hype.

2. Shaq Quarterman 6'1 240 LB Sophomore

- He's one of the best linebackers in the country, regardless of draft class. He's that good. A monster in the middle and the leader of the Canes defense. A tremendous athlete for his size and can cover sideline to sideline with little issue. A first round talent next year should he choose that route.