Games, players, to watch this week in college football

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Before I get started, I would be remiss if I didn’t express my concern for everyone who was, and is, in the path of Hurricane Florence. Hopefully you, or if you have family or friends in the storm’s path, are safe and sound.

But while our thoughts go out to all those effected by the storm, football will roll on, and the third week of the college football season is here. The New York Giants scouts will be out and about, searching for future Giants as the draft process is already under way for scouting departments around the NFL.

So then, which games, and players, might be worth watching while we wait for Sunday night to get here? Let’s take a look.

(17) Boise State at (24) Oklahoma State

ESPN - 3:30 p.m.

As you might expect from a pair of big-name ranked schools, there is NFL talent on both sidelines in this game. They may not be powerhouses like Alabama, Clemson, or Ohio State, but there will be players to watch this game. And if you like offensive football, these two teams can put up points.

Boise State lit up UConn to the absurd tune of 810 yards of total offense and 62 points, with QB Brett Rypien putting up 372 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a little over one half of work.

Oklahoma State, meanwhile, beat South Alabama 55-15 in their week two match-up. Running back Justice Hill only put up a little over 3.6 yards per carry, but scored 2 touchdowns in his 9 carries. This will mark the first time either team has faced anything like an equally matched opponent.

Players to watch

Boise State

• Brett Rypien (QB)
• Alexander Mattison (RB)

Oklahoma State

• Justice Hill (RB)

BYU at (6) Wisconsin

ABC - 3:30 p.m.

After the Giants’ week one loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it looks likely that they will, or at least should, be investing in an offensive lineman early in the 2019 draft. If that’s the case, Wisconsin is one of the best teams to watch. With their run-first offense and Pro-Style blocking scheme, their linemen come out incredibly well coached and prepared for the NFL. For fans ready to move on from Ereck Flowers, Badgers’ right tackle David Edwards might be your first draft-crush. Big, powerful, athletic, and a beast in the run game, the former tight end is a name to watch.

Players to watch

Wisconsin

• David Edwards (OT)
• Tyler Biadasz (OC)
• Jon Dietzen (OG)
• T.J. Edwards (ILB)
• Ryan Connelly (ILB)

(4) Ohio State at (15) TCU

ABC - 8 p.m.

Another match-up between ranked opponents, this game will be loaded with future NFL players, particularly on the Ohio State side of things.

Buckeyes’ defensive end Nick Bosa (younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa) could well be the number one overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, and he certainly won’t be alone.

While they have the best edge rusher in the country on their defense, Ohio State won’t have a monopoly on the position in this game. EDGE Ben Banogu looks to be a future NFL player at the EDGE position in a 3-4 or hybrid defense. Undersized for the 4-3, he is a good fit as a pass rushing linebacker with solid length, a fast first step, and good hands. A JuCo transfer, Banogu lead TCU with 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss in 2017.

Players to watch

Ohio State

• Nick Bosa (DE/EDGE)
• Dre’mont Jones (DT)
• Jordan Fuller (S)
• Parris Campbell (H-back)
• Isaiah Prince (OT)
• Binjimen Victor (WR)

TCU

• Ben Banogu (EDGE)
• Ty Summers (ILB)
• Jawuan Johnson (S)

Who will you be watching this weekend?