Welcome back for Week 13 of the 2015 college football season. Through the first four weeks, we put together a good list of prospects to track, which you can look back on here. Since then, our game threads have included an early ranking of quarterbacks, a ranking of running backs, a ranking of wide receivers, a look at tight ends, and cornerbacks.
This week, Jake has his top five offensive line prospects. The offensive line is not always easy to project out because some college tackles inevitably move inside to interior positions. The 49ers offensive line has all sorts of issues, and it is hard to tell what exactly the future holds. Alex Boone is a free agent and Anthony Davis may return to the group. Daniel Kilgore is working back from a rough ankle injury, and might be activated from the PUP list at some point, but we don't know when. Andrew Tiller has moved into the starting lineup, and could be a long-term option, but then what does that all mean for Marcus Martin? All kinds of random possibilities.
After the rankings, Jake is here to take a look at three of the big games on today's schedule. The big one for the Bay Area features Stanford hosting Notre Dame. Both teams are on the outside looking in to the college football playoff, but a win could be huge with some helpful upsets.
Offensive line rankings
1. OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss: What is there not to like with Tunsil? He is a top-ten lock in the 2016 NFL Draft.
2. OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame: Stanley is one of the many draft prospects on this Notre Dame team, and I think he's the best of the pack.
3. G Joshua Garnett, Stanford: This brainiac is excelling on and off the field. Garnett is likely a first round selection as well.
4. G Spencer Drango, Baylor: Drango is now a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He has a bright future ahead of him.
5. OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State: He's 6-foot-7, but he plays quick and has good balance. Decker is another first round prospect.
No. 8 Ohio State at No. 10 Michigan
Game time: 9 a.m. PT
Channel: ABC
Neither team is out of the College Football playoff, both are actually far from it. Ohio State got upset by a Michigan State team that was led by their backup quarterback last week. As for Michigan, well, they're a very scary two-loss team. The Wolverines lossed in the season opener at Utah, and then were a punt away from beating MSU.
WHAT'S AT STAKE:
Their seasons. These teams seasons are on the line. Both Michigan and OSU need Penn State to pull the upset in East Lansing for this game to have meaning. But, none of that matters if you don't win. It's a win or go home scenario in Ann Arbor.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
I like the coaching matchup in this showdown. Two of the best in the business in Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. Last week, the coaching staff for the Buckeyes was called out by Ezekiel Elliot after a loss in arguably the biggest game of their season. As for the Wolverines, nobody is complaining. Everyone is happy to have Harbaugh at the University.
Despite this game meaning nothing without a Michigan State loss, it is still going to be one of the most watched games of the weekend. I give the edge to Michigan due to them playing in front of their home crowd.
Michigan over OSU: 24-23
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 9 Stanford
Game time: 4:30 p.m. PT
Channel: FOX
This highly anticipated game is the "play-in" for Notre Dame. While not having a very rigorous resume for the committee to lean on when they want to put the Irish in the top four, this is much more than a statement game, but rather, their season depends on it.
One of the biggest storylines this week has been of the Irish going to battle without star running back, C.J. Prosise. The 220-pound senior has been a key to Notre Dame's success, rushing for 1,032 yards on 156 carries along with 11 scores. So, freshman Josh Adams will have to step up. Last weekend, he was good for 39 yards on seven carries after Prosise left the game during a 19-16 win over Boston College.
As for Stanford, well they are definitely solid at the RB spot on the depth chart. All-purpose running back Christian McCaffrey is doing it all for the Cardinal right now. McCaffrey has 2,807 total yards, 444 shy of the NCAA record set by Barry Sanders. He has this week's game and the Pac-12 championship game left to retrieve those 444 yards needed.
This a game you're not going to want to miss. A great matchup is brewing in Palo Alto. The Irish's playoff hopes rely on the victory, while Stanford tries to spoil Notre Dame as they are still on the brink of the College Football Playoff.
Stanford to upset ND: 27-24
No. 13 FSU at No. 12 Florida
Game time: 4:30 p.m. PT
Channel: ESPN
Florida is still on the brink of the playoffs. If they pull out this statement win and manage a victory in the SEC championship game, the Gators will be in the College Football Playoff without a doubt. However, as you may know, winning these game is no easy task.
GAME NOTES:
- Florida DT Jon Bullard will not be 100% healthy.
- Line: FSU by 2.
- FSU is 4-0 against Florida under Jimbo Fisher.
- FSU is 2-0 in Gainesville under Fisher, but have never won three in a row at the swamp.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Florid State's Dalvin Cook heading up against the stout defense of the Gators. Cook is averaging 147.5 yards per game, so he virtually cannot be stopped on the ground. Can Florida have something to say about that?
WHO TO WATCH FOR:
Florida: DT Jon Bullard has been a monster this year. Despite battling through arm and knee injuries, he has excelled totaling 53 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Look for the senior to put some pressure up the middle on FSU.
Florida State: CB Jalen Ramsey is one of the most profound players in the nation. The play-making defensive back has 39 tackles, 10 pass breakups and a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
ROUND UP:
FSU won't go down without a fight, neither will Florida. The Gators have their back to the wall, but I still like the Seminoles in the upset.
FSU to upset Florida: 30-24