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College Football Week 12: Open Thread

Today we discuss and examine more late, first round prospects. We also have your latest Heisman Watch, CFP Projections, and your Top 25 schedule, kickoff, and T.V. info.

By Alex Eisen
NCAA Football: Auburn at Louisiana State Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Intro:

Greetings Faithful! Welcome to college football week number twelve! A lot of action from the previous week changed the landscape around college football. In particular, towards the top of the College Football Playoff rankings. LSU was victorious on the road against conference and division rival, Alabama. Thanks to those results, LSU leapfrogged Ohio State as the new number one team in the country. Alabama fell out of the Top 4 and is sitting in the fifth. After an impressive blowout victory on the road at N.C. State the defending champions are back in the Top 4 in the third slot. Lastly, Georgia rounds out the Top 4 after Penn State fell to Minnesota on the road. Minnesota has Rowed The Boat all the way inside the top 10! I sense we will still have plenty of surprises turns and twists on this roller coaster of a season.

Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first defeat of the season at home Monday night to the Seattle Seahawks. Even with the loss, the 49ers remain in the 32nd slot. With no picks currently in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, our focus will continue to be on prospects who would be within striking distance of the Niners pick. Should the 49ers not add anymore picks to their draft haul, then John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan will have a big decision to make as to what position to target in the first round. Let’s jump in and meet some more prospects.

C.J. Henderson, CB, No. 1 – Florida
Height: 6’1” – Weight: 186
#11 Florida at Missouri – 9:00 a.m. Kickoff (PT) – Saturday, November 16, 2019 – CBS

C.J. Henderson has great size and measurables for the position. His speed allows him to stay with receivers and prevents separation on extended plays at the second and third levels on the field. This season Henderson has nine passes broken up and 22 tackles recorded to go along with one sack. While his numbers look quiet this year, Henderson had been dealing with a leg injury that kept him out of action at some point. Last year he recorded 38 tackles, two sacks, seven passes broken up, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. For a corner his size, Henderson has outstanding speed and runs fluidly through his hips. He needs to do a better job at finishing his tackles quicker. However, coaching can push him at the next level. Henderson is a backend first round prospect.

Justin Jefferson, WR, No. 2 – LSU
Height: 6’3” – Weight: 192
#1 LSU at Ole Miss – 4:00 p.m. Kickoff (PT) – Saturday, November 16. 2019- ESPN

My oh my, the drops that 49ers receivers committed on Monday night were simply tough to watch and stomach. It was evident that without George Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders, the 49ers struggled to move the ball downfield vertically. Three things to consider. One, Sanders is not a lock to return next season. Two, Deebo Samuel hasn’t shown yet that he can be an everyday number one. Lastly, George Kittle, while worldly talented, can’t always be asked to put the passing game on his back. With all that said, would it be the craziest idea if the 49ers went the receiving route?

Justin Jefferson is a mismatch nightmare with his size, speed, and point catch abilities. So far, in 2019, Jefferson has recorded 55 receptions, for 819 yards, and nine touchdowns. His upside is outstanding, and his ability to stretch the field and constantly make plays at the second and third levels is quite valuable. Has strong and reliable hands, and can secure additional yards after the reception. Jefferson has been one of the best if not THE best big-play producer in the country this season. If Sanders is not re-signed, Jefferson would be a great fit in the Niners’ offensive plans. He would add a nice contrasting style compared to George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Between the three of them, defenses would have a hard time trying to cover all three receiving threats at multiple levels on the field. Keep an eye on Jefferson because he might just end up at the very end of the first round.

Heisman Watch:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 12 Sacred Heart at Penn Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Joe Burrow has all but cemented his Heisman Trophy with an impressive road victory at Alabama. LSU is not where they are with Burrow, and it looks as though a place in the College Football Playoff is looking secure. Clearly, anything is possible. However, the other projected finalists will need to have impressive multi-game performances if they hope to unseat.

Joe Burrow, QB – LSU

Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Alabama

Jalen Hurts, QB – Oklahoma

Justin Fields, QB – Ohio State

Chase Young, DE – Ohio State

College Football Playoff Projection (Week 12):

NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – (1) LSU (SEC) vs (4) Oregon (PAC 12)

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl – (2) Ohio State (BIG10) vs (3) Clemson (ACC)

National Championship Game – (1) LSU (SEC) vs (3) Clemson (ACC)

Top 25 Schedule – Week 12:

NCAA Football: Auburn at Georgia Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Who are YOU excited to see in action this weekend? Please share in the comments below!

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