TFG: Showdown Saturday Edition

For the preview / analysis of the big west coast games, click here

NC State at #12 Florida State NOON ESPN

- The Seminoles finally get to play a game after sitting out three weeks due to Hurricane Irma. NC State is coming off a convincing win over hapless Furman last week. FSU is starting a true freshman QB due to a season ending injury to Deandre Francois. It will have to rely on a standout defense that went toe to toe with Bama until it finally surrendered in the fourth quarter. Can the Noles have enough offense to support its NFL talent laden defense or will the Pack pull off the upset?

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.

Florida State prospects to watch

1. Derwin James 6'3 212 S Junior

- The best safety prospect in the nation without question. He's an elite athlete with great instincts. The engine that makes the Noles defense hum. A physical force tackling opponents. He has injury questions as he missed virtually all of 2016 with a knee issue. A virtual lock to declare early.

2. Tavarus McFadden 6'2 198 CB Junior

- McFadden returns in 2017 as the country's leader in interceptions. Elite ball skills and athleticism. Fundamentally sound as a tackler. NFL teams will fall in love with his measureables and production thus far. Another lock to go pro early. Xavier Rhodes who? He's that good. Similar game to former Nole Antonio Cromartie without the health problems.

3. Derrick Nnadi 6'1 313 DT Senior

- Nnadi is the latest prospect in a long line of productive Seminole defensive tackles. He really came on as a junior and could've gone pro but came back to school. A handful to deal with on the interior. Just starting to scratch the surface of his talents. He's the anchor that the Noles can rely upon on defense.

4. Josh Sweat 6'5 249 DE Junior

- Sweat is a pass rush terror for any lineman to go against. He has speed and length for days on end. Has bulked up considerably since his freshman year. Injury history is a concern for pro teams as he nearly missed a chunk of his freshman season due to a catastrophic knee injury in HS. Also has picked up little injuries here and there. If he's 100% right, then there's few other pass rush talents like him.

Boston College at #2 Clemson 3:30 PM ESPN2

- Boston College travels to Clemson to take on the second ranked team in the nation. Clemson is coming off back to back dominating wins over Auburn and Louisville. Its defense could be the best in the country. They completely shut down Lamar Jackson and it looked easy. BC is coming off a not so good loss to Notre Dame last week. Can BC play enough keep away from the revamped high powered attack of Clemson?

Boston College prospect to watch

1. Harold Landry 6'3 250 DE Senior

- It is arguable that Landry is the best defensive end in the ACC. He's that good. I've been a fan of his for the past couple of years. A big game player as he saves his best for the likes of Florida State and Clemson. Fundamentals are above average. A tackling machine that won't stop until the whistle blows. Terrific athlete. Quick first step.

Clemson prospects to watch

1. Dexter Lawrence 6'4 340 DT Sophomore

- Lawrence is one of the best defensive tackles in the country and should be a first round pick in the 2019 draft. An impressive athlete for a man his size. Has a lot of experience even at an young age for the reigning national champions. He projects as a nose tackle due to size and can play tackle in a 4-3 at the next level. He's a beast.

2. Christian Wilkins 6'4 300 DL Junior

-He got next in the Tigers DL factory. Has played both tackle and end in his career. Great athlete. Impressive tackling skills. The general for the feared Tigers defense.

3. Deon Cain 6'1 190 WR Junior

- The heir apparent to Chargers rookie Mike Williams is a dynamic athlete in his own right. A speed demon that can score from anywhere on the field. At certain points last season, he was better than Williams. Dat Speed. Best receiver in the ACC.

#16 TCU at #6 Oklahoma State 3:30 PM ESPN

- The Cowboys host the Horned Frogs in what could be the game of the week. Both of these teams feature a spread offense that can put up points rather quickly. Okie State could have the best QB-WR duo in the nation. OSU is coming off a blowout win over Pittsburgh while TCU did the same to SMU. Which defense will step up and contain the opposing offense enough to win?

1. Travin Howard 6'1 213 LB Senior

- Yes, you read those numbers right. Howard is only 213 pounds...at linebacker. Don't let the size fool you, however. He's a tackle machine. Led the Horned Frogs in tackles the past couple of years. An athletic specimen that could break the mold of TCU guys not testing well. Fundamentally sound as most TCU defenders are.

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 possibility.

Notre Dame at Michigan State 8 PM FOX

- Notre Dame travels to East Lansing for a date against the Spartans. The games in this series have been really close with several thrillers in the past few years. ND is coming off that aforementioned win over Boston College while Sparty defeated Western Michigan much to Corey Davis' chagrin. Notre Dame will have to get QB Brandon Wimbush going against a traditionally stout Spartans defense. Prediction: Sparty by 6

Notre Dame prospects to watch

1. Mike McGlinchey 6'8 312 OL RS Senior

- The whole country was shocked when he returned to school for this year. He was the best offensive tackle in the 2017 draft class by far. A surefire top 20 lock had he opted for the draft. Has played both left and right tackle in career. A massive mountain at tackle. Experienced as a RS Senior. He's the best tackle in this year's class too. Fundamentally sound. Doesn't get beat often.

2. Equanimeous St. Brown 6'5 204 WR Junior

- It can be argued that ESB is the best overall receiver in the class, not only just for his impressive physical traits, either. He's a playmaker in the short and deep passing game. The injury history is a little worrisome as he missed 2015 with a shoulder issue. An athletic freak with good fundamentals. It's not fair what he can do to defensive backs.

Michigan State prospect to watch

1. L.J.Scott 6'1 229 RB Junior

- Scott has been on the radar ever since his freshman season. He's a bigger back and shows it in his running style. Also has drawn comps to a former Spartan standout RB Le'Veon Bell. He's one of the more underrated backs thanks to Sparty's down year last year. Could be a third round pick if he declares early.

Bonus games to watch

#1 Alabama at Vanderbilt 3:30 PM CBS

- Well, Vandy wanted Bama so they got them this week.

#8 Michigan at Purdue 4 PM FOX

- Sneaky good game in West Lafayette. New HC Jeff Brohm has Purdue 2-1 with a close loss to Louisville. Purdue hasn't been this fun since Drew Brees.

#17 Mississippi State at #11 Georgia 7:00 PM ESPN

- Bulldog versus Bulldog. Cowbell against bellcow running backs. What's not to love?

#4 Penn State at Iowa 7:30 PM ABC

- Saquon Barkley. He good. Also, Iowa has one of the more cooler traditions when they wave at the cancer patients watching the game from the hospital located next to the stadium.