Week Four Features Two Solid Conference Match-Ups And A Game Between Top Pass Rushers.
A few teams made statements in week three of the college football season. The biggest was probably Clemson, who dominated Lousiville 47-21 and did a pretty decent job of containing Lamar Jackson. Week four will give new teams a chance to show people what they can do.
Much like last week there aren’t very many good games this week. There are a couple good ones that feature teams in the same conference and have draft prospects.
Here are three games to check out this Saturday:
Boston College at #2 Clemson, 3:30 pm on ESPN 2
In terms of being competitive this will probably not end up being a good game, Clemson should win by a lot. The reason it’s included is that two of the best pass rushers in college football will be on the field.
For Boston College the guy to watch is Harold Landry (pictured above). He was one of the most disruptive defensive players in all of college football last season. So far this year he has only one sack and two tackles for loss so he’ll have to step up in order to reach the same level of production he had last year.
Clelin Ferrell is the one for Clemson. Like Landry, he only has one sack so far this season. Ferrell wasn’t nearly as productive as Landry in 2016 however. There are a few reasons for this, such as him being younger and the fact that Clemson’s defense is loaded with talent.
This game will be a challenge for Landry. Clemson has one of the best tackles in the nation in junior Mitch Hyatt, who will be another prospect to watch. If Landry can turn in a solid performance it could really help boost his draft stock.
Ferrell on the other hand has a chance to have a very good game. Boston College is one of the weakest opponent that Clemson will face this season.
Both of these guys made the top-25 in Matt Miller’s most recent big board. The Lions biggest need this offseason might end up being a defensive end, so both of these guys are worth keeping an eye on.
#4 Penn State at Iowa, 7:30 pm on ABC
Penn State is off to a strong start this season. They have recorded two shut-outs and a 33-14 win over Pitt, who beat them last season.
Iowa is also off to a 3-0 start. They are always a tough team to play when they are at home so this may end up being a closer game than it looks like it should be on paper.
The headliner in this one is obviously Penn State running back, and one of the best players in college football, Saquon Barkley (pictured above). He’s off to a great start in 2016. Through three games he’s logged 38 carries for 307 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The star running back has also contributed in the passing game, catching 11 passes for 241 yards and two scores. As long as he stays healthy he is almost a first round lock at this point.
Iowa has a pretty good running back of there own in Akrum Wadley. So far this season he’s recorded 60 carries for 258 yards and a touchdown on the ground and six receptions for 152 yards and another score.
Another Iowa player to watch is linebacker Josey Jewell who has a staggering 327 tackles so far in his college career.
#17 Mississippi State at #11 Georgia, 7 pm on ESPN
This looks like it could end up being the best game this weekend. Mississippi is fresh off of an impressive 37-7 victory over LSU last week.
Georgia also has a win over a top-25 team under their belt, they beat Notre Dame 20-19 in week two.
Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (pictutured above) was their leader in their win over LSU. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 180 yards and two scores and rushed 14 times for 88 yards and two more touchdowns. Last season Fitzgerald broke out and put together an impressive campaign. He’s big, 6’5” 230 lbs., he’s mobile and has a pretty decent arm.
Fitzgerald will be challenged by a talented Georgia defense that has yet to allow 20 points in a game this season. They are led by pass rushing linebacker Lorenzo Carter and defensive tackle Trenton Thompson. Thompson has yet to record a sack this season, he’s known as a very good pass rusher for an interior lineman so he will be looking to break out in this game.
I really hope you enjoyed the article! Follow me on twitter @CHayes95 and join the discussion on the Lions’ subreddit!
