College Football Week 14: Rivalry Week is upon us!

Good morning and Happy Saturday, New York Giants fans!

I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving, unless you aren’t in the U.S., then I hope you had a great Nov. 28th.

We have one of the best slates of games of the entire year before us, with rivalry games between Alabama and Auburn, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Michigan and Ohio State, Clemson and South Carolina, and so many more. It is honestly going to be hard to pick just three games highlight — a number I will try to stick to — And honestly, the answer to the question “which game should I be watching?” is probably “All of them, really” (done in my best Nigel Tufnel voice).

Ohio State (1) at Michigan (13)

Fox - Noon

Alternate - Clemson (3) at South Carolina (ESPN)

I didn’t want to highlight Ohio State two weeks in a row. I generally try to spread these around so we can check in on different prospects throughout the year. But this is a marquee game on the college schedule, and there is also the distinct possibility that Chase Young will be a Giant in five months time.

This could also be the game which decides whether Jim Harbaugh remains at Michigan or if he goes hunting for another job. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ohio State walk away with the victory, but if Michigan lets what happened to Penn State — that is, Chase Young ripping through their offense like the Predator — Harbaugh’s seat could get plenty warm.

Speaking of EDGE players, keep an eye on Michigan’s Joshua Uche as well. Uche wins nearly as often as Young and has 8.5 sacks on the season. He could be a Day 2 option if the Giants choose to double down on pass rushers in the draft.

You might also notice the new addition of an alternate game for channel flipping. Keep an eye out for LB Isaiah Simmons and iDL Javon Kinlow on Clemson and South Carolina’s respective defenses.

Players to watch

Ohio State

• Chase Young (EDGE)
• Jeffrey Okudah (CB)
• Shaun Wade (CB) *Red-shirt sophomore
• Damon Arnette (CB)
• Malik Harrison (LB)
• J.K. Dobbins (RB)
• K.J. Hill (WR)

Michigan

• Ben Bredeson (OG)
• Joshua Uche (EDGE)
• Nico Collins (WR)

Alabama (5) at Auburn (15)

CBS - 3:30 p.m.

Alternate - Wisconsin (12) at Minnesota (8) (CBS), Oregon State at Oregon (14) (Pac-12 Network)

The annual Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn is one of the highlights of every year. Alabama will be looking to utterly dominate Auburn to prove that they, and not Georgia, belong in the College Football Playoffs.

And make no mistake, we are teetering on the edge of the first-ever college post-season without Alabama in contention for the National Championship.

For their part, Auburn will be itching to play the role of spoiler and ruin their bitter rival’s whole year. The absence of Tua Tagovailoa after his scary hip injury puts this game in a whole new light from how it looked just two or three weeks ago.

One way or another, this game looks set up for some fireworks

Players to watch

Alabama

• Jerry Jeudy (WR)
• Henry Ruggs III (WR)
• DeVonta Smith (WR)
• Jedrick Wills (OT)
• Alex Leatherwood (OT)
• Terrell Lewis (EDGE)
• Raekwon Davis (iDL)
• Dylan Moses (LB)
• Trevon Diggs (CB)
• Xavier McKinney (S)

Auburn

• Derrick Brown (iDL)
• Nick Coe (DL/EDGE)
• Marlon Davidson (iDL)
• Prince Tega Wanogho (OT)
• Jack Driscoll (OT)

Oklahoma (7) at Oklahoma State (21)

Fox - 8 p.m.

Alternate - Florida State at Florida (11) (SEC Network - 7:30 p.m.)

The Bedlam game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is always good for some offensive fireworks.

These two teams always field some of the best offenses in college football, and this year looks to be no different.

Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts could be on his way to being QB2 in 2020’s draft class, after inconsistent play from Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Tua’s hip injury. Oh, and some great play since transferring to Oklahoma from Alabama has helped his draft stock as well. Hurts wouldn’t be in this position without blossoming as a quarterback under Lincoln Riley.

Oklahoma has future NFL players all over its offense, but don’t forget about the Sooners defense. There are a couple players there who should be Day 2 picks, and could sneak into the first round with a good draft process.

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard has been production machine this year, with 1,832 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns this year. As a red-shirt sophomore, his decision whether to declare or return to school will be an interesting one to watch. Unfortunately, wide receiver Tylan Wallace (Probably Oklahoma State’s best prospect outside of Hubbard) is out for the season, but they still have some potential mid-late round receivers worth watching.

Players to watch

Oklahoma

• Jalen Hurts (QB)
• CeeDee Lamb (WR)
• Creed Humphrey (OG) *Red-shirt Sophomore
• Trey Sermon (RB)
• Neville Gallimore (iDL)
• Kenneth Murray (LB)

Oklahoma State

• Dylan Stoner (WR)
• Jordan McCray (WR)
• Chuba Hubbard (RB)