Maryland vs Clemson 12PM EST ESPN
An important ACC match-up between a pair of
teams fighting for post-season positioning in the conference's Atlantic
Division.
Gaines Adams
is rising up draft boards after some outstanding performances. There is
still a lot of concern about his character, which will be inspected under a
microscope in the off-season by league scouts. Saturday he goes up against
a pair of solid offensive tackles.
Reactions have been mixed on Stephon Heyer since
his return from the knee injury that sidelined him last year. Rated as a
first day pick coming into the 2005 season, Heyer has had his moments this
season and still flashes a lot of ability. On the opposite side is Jared Gaither,
a 6-feet-9-inch/350-pound blind side tackle with a 36-inch vertical jump.
Gaither is destined to be a first round pick when he enters the draft.
With the momentum Adams has built the past
month with his play, this will be a good battle for all involved.
Another good match-up resides in the
secondary.
Terp corner Josh Wilson is on the rise.
Slowly turning into a shut-down cover man, Wilson possesses top physical skills
and is putting it together on the field. Also averaging more then 30-yards
returning kicks, he is heading into the draft's fist day.
Tiger wide out Chansi Stuckey, a solid
middle round choice, returned last week after missing three games with a broken
foot. Stuckey flashes game breaking skills and is very elusive handling
the ball. He's not 100% but will still offer Wilson a good challenge.
LSU vs. Tennessee 3:30 PM EST CBS
A terrific SEC match-up which will include as
many as 14 first day picks on the field at any given time. Top match-ups
in the secondary from both sides headline this contest.
Volunteer signal caller Erik Ainge is
flying high since the return of David Cutcliffe as the team's offensive
coordinator. Also benefiting from the change are a trio of receivers
including junior Robert Meachem as well as seniors Jayson Swain
and Bret Smith.
This quintet faces possibly the most complete
defensive back in the nation, Tiger safety LaRon Landry. Landry
grades as a late first round choice next April, as do Volunteer juniors Ainge
and Meachem in 2008.
LSU also has several potential early draft
picks on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is in the
midst of his best season ever. The junior is really gaining traction on
draft boards. Likewise Tiger wide outs Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis
have shown marked improvement this season. Both are first day selections
next April.
Trying to slow this trio down is Jonathan Wade,
Tennessee's highly rated corner. Possessing outstanding size/speed
numbers, Wade flashes ability at cornerback yet is prone to an occasional
lapse.
Saturday's pending battle gives Wade the
ability to make his mark.
Virginia Tech vs. Miami (FL) 8PM EST ABC
It has been a disappointing season for both
teams with Miami teetering on the brink of catastrophe. There is still
plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, though much of it has been
underachieving this year.
Hurricane linemen Kareem Brown and Baraka Atkins
are both talented players with terrific upside. Yet each has been
benched at some point this season for poor play. Virginia Tech blocker Brandon Frye
is a good athlete that does not translate his natural skill onto the football
field.
Tech has four receivers with NFL ability.
Senior David Clowney grades out as a first day pick next April.
Underclassmen Eddie Royal, Josh Morgan and Josh Hyman will
be sprinkled throughout the seven rounds over the next few drafts.
Hurricane safety Brandon Meriweather, a
defensive back with outstanding cover skills, was playing an average brand of
football before being suspended after stomping on a players legs during the FIU-Miami
brawl.
No player has been as big a disappointment this
season as Tech safety Aaron Rouse. Offering outstanding physical
skills and previously showing terrific football ability, Rouse has looked lost
on the field at times this year. Considered a potential first round choice
in August, he is likely to slip out of the initial 60-selections.
This weekend may mark the return of Canes
receiver Ryan Moore. The talented pass catcher given a second round
grade by Blesto has been on the sidelines with suspension all season long.
Moore, who looked like a star in the making as a sophomore only to struggle
through a terrible junior campaign, needs a lot of help to have any chance of
being drafted before the very late rounds.