College Football Preview: Week 4

Game of the Week: Alabama(1) at Arkansas(10)

Alabama NFL Prospects to Watch:

RB Mark Ingram (Jr.) – strong runner, with great vision and cutting ability.

WR Julio Jones (Jr.)- 6’4” 220 lbs receiver, has been a stud since he walked on campus, big, strong playmaker that should be a first rounder.

DT Marcell Dareus (Jr.) – was the MVP of the national championship game, big, quick d-lineman.

Arkansas NFL Prospects to Watch:

QB Ryan Mallet (Jr.) – Very good looking prospect, could make the draft very interesting if he come out after this season.

OT DeMarcus Love – A top senior tackle, that helps protect Ryan Mallet.

TE D.J. Williams – Only 6’2” but has 98 receptions in his career.

Overview: This is one of the biggest games for Arkansas in a long time. I really want to see how Mallet can perform against a tough Alabama defense. With Mark Ingram back in the lineup, Arkansas top rated defense will be tested.

Alabama -6 at Arkansas: This will be a tough road test for Alabama, but they are defending national champs for a reason. This is the kind of game that Coach Nick Saban will not let them lose.

Other Games:

NC State at Georgia Tech -8

North Carolina at Rutgers even

Wake Forest at Florida St. -20

Stanford -2.5 at Norte Dame

Georgia at Mississippi St. -2

Oregon St. at Boise St. -17

South Carolina at Auburn -3

Thursday Night Football: NC State Vs. Cincinnati

NC State vs. Cincinnati

Cincinnati players to watch:

WR Armon Binns – 6’3” receiver that hauled in 66 receptions and 11 TDs last year. Product of the spread system or a top prospect?

TE Benjamin Guidugli – Only a 6’0 tight end but can still make plays.

NC State:
LB Nate Irving – Had 80 tackles and 11 TFL in 2008, he did not play at all in 2009 because of a 2008 car crash. It will be interesting to see how he does.

WR Jarvis Williams – 6’4” WR that is a threat in the red zone, had 11 TDs last year.

WR Owen Spencer – Another tall receiver at 6’3” may have more talent then Williams.

Overview: The ACC has really been struggling with some of the top contenders already being beaten badly (Virginia Tech, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Georgia Tech...). NC State is one of the ACC’s most underrated teams. QB Russell Wilson is very good and is one of the most underrated QB’s in the country; he’s thrown for an amazing 53 TDs and only 11 INTs in his career. Cincinnati lost many of its key players last year to the draft including QB Tony Pike and leading WR Mardy Gilyard. The loss of those leaders may have contributed to upset loss in their season opener.

The Pick: NC State -1.5 – I think an underrated N.C. State team at home will take this one.