#10 Oklahoma at #19 Texas
Game Result: Oklahoma 28 | Texas 21
The Prospects: Oklahoma, FS - Reggie Smith (Jr.) vs. Texas, WR - Limas Sweed (Sr.)
The Matchup: Limas Sweed has been hampered by injuries this season and
hasn't had the kind of year many expected. He didn't have a major impact in this
game and only caught two passes for 25 yards. Sweed is a deep threat who's
dangerous in the red zone, but he hasn't had many opportunities so far.
Oklahoma's Reggie Smith is an outstanding defender who played a huge role in the
Sooners' victory over the Longhorns, playing well in coverage and making a
crucial interception late in the game that stopped any momentum Texas was
building. In addition to the interception, Smith recorded six tackles.
In-Game Analysis: Trailing 28-21 in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns
had excellent field position with the ball on the Oklahoma 44-yard line. On
1st-and-10, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was trying to get the ball to running
back Jamaal Charles, but the ball went through his hands and into the hands of
Sooners safety Reggie Smith at the 28-yard line. Smith then ran the ball back
33-yards. On the return, the Sooners committed an illegal block, costing them
15-yards. That backed up their offense to their own 46-yard line, a major
mistake as the Longhorns had great field position and were threatening to put
points on the board.
Keep An Eye On...
Oklahoma, WR - Juaquin Iglesias (Jr.): Iglesias has been phenomenal this
season. He's emerging as a game-breaker alongside of Malcolm Kelly. Last season,
Iglesias caught 41 passes for 514 yards and two touchdowns. Through six games
this year, including his six catches for 99 yards against the Longhorns,
Iglesias has 35 receptions for 558 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona at Oregon State
Game Result: Arizona 16 | Oregon State 31
The Prospects: Arizona, CB - Antoine Cason (Sr.) vs. Oregon State, WR
- Sammie Stroughter (Jr.)
The Matchup: Oregon State's star receiver Sammie Stroughter didn't
play in this game due to injury, but Arizona's Antoine Cason had a great game.
Cason played very well in coverage and limited the opposition's chances to make
plays. The only touchdown reception the Wildcats defense surrendered was a
six-yard swing pass to Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard. Cason finished with
six tackles and an interception that he ran back for a 60-yard touchdown.
In-Game Analysis: The Beavers were in control of the game heading into
halftime, leading 31-3. But Cason stepped up for Arizona and narrowed the lead
before the end of the first half. With less than a minute remaining on the
clock, Cason stepped in front of a Sean Canfield pass and took it to the house
for a 60-yard touchdown. That touchdown gave the Wildcats momentum, as they were
trailing 31-10 at halftime, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win, and they
ultimately lost 31-16.
Kansas at #24 Kansas State
Game Result: Kansas 30 | Kansas State 24
The Prospects: Kansas, CB - Aqib Talib (Jr.) vs. Kansas State, WR -
Jordy Nelson (Sr.)
The Matchup: Jordy Nelson continues to show that he's the most
underrated wide receiver in the nation after a stellar performance against the
Kansas Jayhawks. Nelson had 10 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown while
running smooth routes and flashing excellent hands despite going up against one
of the better young corners in the country, Aqib Talib. Nelson's touchdown
reception was a beauty as he beat Talib on a go-route, which resulted in a
68-yard score for Kansas State. After the long touchdown reception by Nelson,
Talib played well in this contest and allowed just nine receptions for 69 yards
the rest of the game. He looked fluid in coverage and displayed a good burst to
the ball. Talib finished with five tackles and an interception and even got
involved on offense and pulled in a touchdown pass from five-yards out. This was
a great matchup between two of the best players at their respective positions.
In-Game Analysis: With 8:48 remaining in the opening quarter, Talib
and Nelson were locked on the far sideline. Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman dropped back, Nelson got a quick release off the line and obtained
separation from Talib instantly. Freeman recognized that Nelson beat Talib off
the line and lofted a perfect pass that went for a 68-yard touchdown and gave
the Wildcats the early 7-0 lead.
Keep An Eye On...
Kansas State, DE - Ian Campbell (Jr.): After a sophomore season where
Campbell recorded 11.5 sacks, he distinguished himself as one of the premier
pass rushers in the country. Campbell got off to a slow start this season and
only managed 1.5 sacks coming into the game against Kansas, but played well
against the Jayhawks. He collected five tackles and a sack in the loss.
#4 Ohio State at #23 Purdue
Game Result: Ohio State 23 | Purdue 7
The Prospects: Ohio State, CB - Malcolm Jenkins (Jr.) vs. Purdue, WR -
Dorien Bryant (Sr.)
The Matchup: Malcolm Jenkins was outstanding against Purdue on
Saturday night. He was all over the field, playing physical, and showing good
discipline in coverage. He had nine tackles, one for a loss, and held Dorien
Bryant to just two receptions for negative 4 yards. Bryant, who leads the
Boilermakers in receiving, had a miserable game. Jenkins had a lot to do with
Bryant's struggles, and he proved that he's one of the elite defensive backs in
the country.
In-Game Analysis: Ohio State completely dominated this game from the
beginning. Purdue's offense has been outstanding this season averaging 45 points
and 496 yards per game, but the Buckeyes shut them down. Not only did Bryant
have a game to forget, but the entire offense did as well. Purdue only managed
272 yards of total offense and their lone score came with 10 seconds remaining
in the game. It's back to the drawing board for Purdue.
Keep An Eye On...
Purdue, TE - Dustin Keller (Sr.): A player who's developed his game more
than any other tight end in college football, Dustin Keller has come from
obscurity to emerge as a complete player. Keller has always been a good blocker,
but his game as a receiver wasn't productive. Last season, he more than tripled
his receptions (56) and yardage (771) from the previous season and became a
receiving threat for the Boilermakers offense. He's continued that production
this season (27 receptions for 420 yards and five touchdowns) and had a
tremendous game against the Buckeyes, hauling in seven receptions for 101 yards.
#15 Virginia Tech at #22 Clemson
Game Result: Virginia Tech 41 | Clemson 23
The Prospects: Virginia Tech, RB - Branden Ore (Jr.) vs. Clemson, FS -
Chris Clemons (Jr.)
The Matchup: This was another tough game for Branden Ore, who had a
tremendous season last year rushing for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns, but has
been disappointing this year. He's received the majority of the carries for the
Hokies, but hasn't delivered the same kind of production from a year ago. Facing
a tough Clemson defense, Ore only managed 35 yards on 23 carries and a
touchdown. That's an average of 1.5 yards per carry. He was a non-threat in the
passing game as well. He caught just one pass for minus-three yards. Ore has to
find a way to recapture his production from last season. The Clemson defense
played well, but it was their special teams that cost them the game. Chris
Clemons had a nice game and collected four tackles in the loss. He displayed
good awareness and played well in coverage.
Keep An Eye On...
Aaron Kelly, WR - Clemson (Jr.): Kelly, who's 6 foot 5 and 180 pounds, has
been spectacular so far for the Tigers. He showed a lot of promise last season
for Clemson after he finished with 30 receptions for 355 yards and three
touchdowns. This season he's in the midst of a breakout year. Against Virginia
Tech, he had a career day, hauling in 11 receptions for 174 yards and a
touchdown.
2009 DRAFT ELIGIBLE SNEAK PEEK
#9 Florida at #1 LSU
Game Result: LSU 28 | Florida 24
The Prospects: Florida, WR - Percy Harvin (So.) vs. LSU, FS - Danny McCray (So.)
The Matchup: This was a great battle between two top-ten teams, but
Percy Harvin and Danny McCray didn't shine too brightly in this meeting. Harvin,
who's known for his versatility and knack for making the impossible possible,
finished with four receptions for 58 yards and no touchdowns. He also
contributed in the running game, but only had three carries for 11 yards.
McCray, a physical safety who plays well in coverage, just managed two tackles
in the win.
Keep An Eye On...
LSU, FB - Jacob Hester (Sr.): Hester is a tremendously tough player who
plays every down with a lot of intensity. He's not the most gifted player on the
field, but he's a consistent performer who produces week in and week out.
Against the Gators, Hester was outstanding and scored the game-winning touchdown
for the Tigers. He had 23 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown and performed
very well on special teams.
A member of the Pro
Football Writers of America and the Football
Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has
provided his NFL draft analysis on the web and on the radio since 1999.