College football Week 6: Giants scouting the ACC

Happy Saturday everyone, and welcome to Week 6 of the college football season!

Somehow it’s hard to believe that there have already been six weeks of football, that some teams are at the half-way point in their schedules, yet here we are. We are also finally getting in to the real meat of the college football schedule, where the easy tune-up games are all but over and ranked teams begin to play each other more regularly.

We’re highlighting a pair of them today, as well as a matchup in the ACC between Miami and Florida State, which the New York Giants will be scouting.

(19) Texas at (7) Oklahoma

FOX - noon

The first game of the afternoon will be between a pair of ranked teams, Texas and Oklahoma. The game should favor Oklahoma, who boast an offense that remains one of the best in the nation despite losing Baker Mayfield to the NFL. Running back Rodney Anderson and wide receiver Marquise Brown (also known as ‘Hollywood’) will be the players to watch this week, and given their talents, it will be hard not to watch them.

The Giants have already invested a 2019 draft pick in a cornerback (Sam Beal, supplemental draft), but Kris Boyd might be a player to watch on the Texas side of things. It could well be his job to slow down Hollywood Brown, and if he does so, it could be a major boost for his draft stock.

Players to watch

Texas

• Kris Boyd (CB)
• Collin Johnson (WR)

Oklahoma

• Rodney Anderson (RB)
• Marquise Brown (WR)
• Bobby Evans (OG)

Florida State at (17) Miami

ABC - 3:30 p.m.

The Miami Hurricanes took college football by surprise by returning to prominence last season. Miami seemingly came from nowhere with a young, athletic, and brash — bearing a five-pound gold chain which was bestowed on whichever player forced the latest turnover.

The underclassmen who powered that Miami team are starting to mature and now, and will be draft eligible this year and next. In particular, Giants fans might want to pay attention to senior safety Jaquan Johnson, who could be one of the best and most versatile safeties in the draft.

Meanwhile, Florida State has some players of their own. Most eyes will be on defensive linemen Brian Burns — who could be a solid fit as a 3-4 OLB as well — and DT Demarcus Christmas. CB Lavonta Taylor might be another player to keep an eye on, though he might have to transition to slot corner in the NFL.

Players to watch

Florida State

• Brian Burns (EDGE)
• Demarcus Christmas (DT)
• Lavonta Taylor (CB)

Miami

• Gerald Willis III (DL)
• Jacquan Johnson (S)
• Amon Richards (WR)
• Shaquille Quarterman (ILB)
• Joe Jackson (OLB)

(6) Notre Dame at (24) Virginia Tech

ABC - 8 p.m.

This game is likely going to Notre Dame, but it should be a good show along the way. The preponderance of the talent is on the Irish sideline, but VT has a habit of sneaking up on opponents even when talent isn’t on its side.

Notre Dame has talent throughout its defense, which the Fighting Irish have ridden so far this season. They also have a pair of big wide receivers who could catch the eye of the GM who drafted Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess in consecutive years

But, from a scouting perspective, Notre Dame will be the team to watch in this game.

Players to watch

Notre Dame

• Jerry Tillery (DT)
• Khalid Kareem (DE)
• Te’von Coney (OLB)
• Drue Tranquill (OLB)
• Julian Love (CB)
• Miles Boykin (WR)
• Chase Claypool (WR)

Virginia Tech

• Trevon Hill (EDGE)
• Richard Walker (DT)
• Yosuah Nijman (OT)