Week 5 features several matchups of ranked teams. As a football fan, I will be watching Louisville vs Clemson and Michigan vs Wisconsin as those should be exciting football games. Putting on my Devy hat, these are the matchups and players I will be watching this weekend.
Oklahoma State at Texas
Oklahoma State’s passing game will be in focus. Quarterback Mason Rudolph had offseason buzz as a potential NFL 1st round pick, but wide receiver James Washington is the devy name to watch. Washington has put up 25 receptions for 488 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. The Texas defense has given up 9 combined receiving touchdowns against their two power-5 opponents (Notre Dame and Cal). I expect Washington and Rudolph to connect often in this matchup.
When Texas is on offense, the focus will be on the run game. Texas has two strong backs putting up stats this year. Junior D’Onta Foreman has been the workhorse putting up 288 yards and 3 touchdowns in two games this year and sophomore Chris Warren III has increased his yardage and per carry average each week. Expect both backs to receive close to 20 carries in this game.
Arizona State at USC
Somehow USC has made my watchlist three times this year, but my focus will be on Arizona State’s running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage. Richard is the primary back in the committee having posted more than 19 carries each week, but Ballage is the more dynamic talent. USC’s run defense will likely be gashed by these two backs.
Notre Dame at Syracuse
The focus in this game will be on wide receivers Equanimeous St. Brown for Notre Dame and Amba Etta-Tawo for Syracuse. I expect this matchup to feature little defense giving these receivers a chance to shine. Even though the DeShone Kizer early season hype is dying down, St. Brown has the better quarterback and I expect him to have the better outing. However, Etta-Tawo has burst onto the scene this year with at least 8 catches and 100 yards in each game this season.
