Bowl viewer"s guide: Previewing Saturday"s slate of CFB action

College bowl season officially kicks off Saturday, and College Football 24/7 is providing a daily glimpse at the best players in each game and predictions from writers Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin.

Site: New Orleans
Date: Dec. 20
Time/TV: 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
Matchup: Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) vs. Nevada (7-5)
NFL teams attending: Buffalo Bills
Top players to watch: Nevada (QB Cody Fajardo, DE Brock Hekking, WR Hasaan Henderson, DE/LB Ian Seau); Louisiana-Lafayette (RB Alonzo Harris, WR Jamal Robinson).
Why NFL fans should tune in: Why not get your bowl season started out right with an intriguing matchup between an up-and-down Wolf Pack team taking on one of the most impressive Sun Belt teams over the years in ULL? Fajardo has put up comparable numbers to Colin Kaepernick during his time in Reno and is among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. The team’s pistol offense gets a lot of the press, but it’s the defense you’ll really want to keep an eye out for with Ian Seau (Junior’s nephew) and wild man Brock Hekking, who might have the best hair in college football and is an equally fearsome pass rusher. As for the Ragin Cajuns, they feature a number of playmakers on the offensive side that could wind up being late Day Three selections.
Game predictions:
Brandt: UL-Lafayette, 24-21
Brooks: UL-Lafayette, 33-30
Jeremiah: Nevada, 28-24
Fischer: UL-Lafayette, 33-23
Goodbread: Nevada, 30-21
Huguenin: UL-Lafayette, 27-24

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Bowl viewer"s guide: Previewing Saturday"s slate of CFB action

TCU restrains Texas to give statement win to CFP committee

TCU rolled into Austin on Thanksgiving trying to give a statement to the College Football Playoff choice committee.

Mission achieved.

Headed with a swarming defense as well as a big-play offense, the Horned Frogs turned within an impressive showing on national television to overcome their instate opponent, 48-10, within a match they commanded throughout.

Heisman Trophy candidate Trevone Boykin presented several highlights through the night but did not have his finest appearance of the year against a stingy Longhorns defense that’s been one of the finest in the Big 12 this season. The double-threat quarterback completed 20-of-34 passes for 233 yards while accounting for three complete touchdowns.

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TCU restrains Texas to give statement win to CFP committee

TCU restrains Texas to deliver statement win to CFB committee

TCU rolled into Austin on Thanksgiving appearing to give a statement directed in the College Football Playoff choice committee.

Assignment executed.

Headed with a swarming defense as well as a big-play offense, the Horned Frogs turned within an impressive showing on national television to overcome their instate competition 48-10 during a match they commanded throughout.

Heisman Trophy candidate Trevone Boykin presented several highlights through the night but did not have his finest appearance of the year against a stingy Longhorns defense that’s been one of the finest in the Big 12 this season. The double-threat quarterback completed 20-of-34 passes for 233 yards while accounting for three complete touchdowns.

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TCU restrains Texas to deliver statement win to CFB committee

Can not-miss Minutes: Top school football plays of Week 11

Saturdays during school football season consistently provide a bevy of "Can Not-miss Moments." College Football 24/7 is here to make sure you’ve access to all of the plays fans will be raving about.

Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong pulled off an astonishing 360, one-handed touchdown catch against Notre Dame.

Minnesota trounced Iowa, recaptured the Floyd of Rosedale competition prize, and that had Golden Gophers coach Jerry Kill in a great disposition.

Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight showed off his impressive jumping ability by hurdling a standing Baylor defenseman.

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Can not-miss Minutes: Top school football plays of Week 11

Jason Verrett (shoulder) active for Chargers

The San Diego Chargers declared that Jason Verrett (shoulder) is active for the team’s Thursday night game from the Denver Broncos.

Verrett’s availability is crucial for the Chargers as they confront Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ powerful aerial assault, particularly considering that San Diego will be without expert corner Brandon Flowers.

The first-round pick out of TCU is impressive thus far in his rookie effort. He’s compiled 18 tackles and one interception this year.

For the Broncos, second-round wide receiver Cody Latimer is active for the very first time because the season opener.  Latimer has yet to catch an NFL pass.

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Jason Verrett (shoulder) active for Chargers

One Preview: Two of game"s greatest QBs square off in primetime

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One trusted preview. One crucial variable to decide the match. It is that straightforward.

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC) — All indications point to an offensive shootout Sunday night in the Superdome.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on an impressive three-match run. In four straight matches, Rodgers has thrown for three or more touchdowns and not been intercepted (Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the only other quarterbacks in NFL history to complete that). If Rodgers continues that run through Sunday night, he’ll function as the primary quarterback in NFL history to do this. Additionally, Rodgers is the sole player in NFL history with at least 18 touchdown passes and one or no interceptions through his team’s first seven games of a season.

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One Preview: Two of game"s greatest QBs square off in primetime

Son of former NFL star Bryan Cox shines for Florida in road win

Bryan Cox Jr. picked quite a day to play a lot like his father did during his NFL career.

The son of former All-Pro linebacker Bryan Cox came up with three sacks to lead a 10-9 win in a road game at rival Tennessee that threatened to send the Florida Gators’ season into an early tailspin.

Bryan Cox Sr., of course, had an impressive 12-year NFL career playing for the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and New York Jets, among others. The three-time All-Pro, currently the Atlanta Falcons‘ defensive line coach, amassed 51.5 career sacks, but as a college player at Western Illinois and a fifth-round draft pick, he never found himself on the center of a stage quite like his son was on Saturday.

Bryan Cox Jr.’s first sack of the season came at a big third-down moment, as he dropped Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley for a loss of 13 to force a punt in the second quarter. Cox, a redshirt sophomore who had two career sacks entering the game, sacked Worley again on third down in the third quarter to force a field goal attempt, and his third sack set up a 3rd-and-9 and helped force one of eight Tennessee punts.

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Son of former NFL star Bryan Cox shines for Florida in road win

Raiders" Derek Carr harm, replaced by Matt McGloin

A miserable day for the Oakland Raiders was exacerbated when quarterback Derek Carr was sidelined with an obvious left ankle/knee injury in the 3rd quarter.

Carr’s knee was turned at the conclusion of a scramble. Despite a heavy limp, he remained in for one more play before it became clear that he could not place any weight on the leg.

He was quickly sent to the locker room for X rays and is formally questionable to return.

The rookie authored an impressive opening touchdown drive vs. the Miami Dolphins, but neglected to transfer the offense over the next two quarters.

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Raiders" Derek Carr harm, replaced by Matt McGloin

Scout"s Notebook: Dak Prescott an intriguing prospect to follow

When I scouted for the Carolina Panthers from 2003-2007, I used to be required to give every player a crucial variable level according to five core features (intellect, leadership, competitiveness, clutch variable and perseverance) that we considered were vital to being a tournament player. I continue to utilize those characteristics as a barometer of a prospect’s potential at another level after I examine them for NFL Media. While I am not convinced that Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott possesses a skill set which is conducive to playing quarterback in the NFL, I undoubtedly consider that he demonstrates the qualities needed to be a tournament player in another degree.

Looking at the 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior lead the Bulldogs to an upset win over LSU in Death Valley, I saw a bright football player together with all the intangibles to be a winner at each degree. From his brilliant command of the Bulldogs’ offense to his charismatic leadership style, Prescott put in the type of show that leads lookouts to fall in love having a possibility effective at standing out to the greatest and brightest stages. Not to mention his brilliant show of athleticism and playmaking ability as an explosive double-threat quarterback around the margin.

So, I am intrigued by thinking of Prescott playing the position in another degree after seeing the likes of Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton love success as professionals with similar skill sets. While Prescott must continue to evolve as a pocket passer to improve his opportunities playing the position as a master, he definitely teases scouts along with his ability, athleticism and striking intangibles. Given the development of the match in the quarterback position, Prescott is an interesting possibility to observe during another couple years.

1. Florida State: Despite playing without Jameis Winston, the Seminoles found a means to knock off a ranked opponent in the home. While the Seminoles did not earn style points for the win, the fact that they were competent to hold on in a really competitive competition says a lot about Florida State’s stamina.

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Scout"s Notebook: Dak Prescott an intriguing prospect to follow

Ike Taylor breaks forearm vs. Panthers

After an impressive first half, the Pittsburgh Steelers are unexpectedly spending more hours helping players off the field than playing onto it.

Expert defensive back Ike Taylor was helped off the field and straight to the locker room using a forearm injury midway through the 3rd quarter. Taylor failed to go back to the match and trainer Mike Tomlin said following the match he’s a broken forearm.

Minutes before, rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier was helped off the field and was out the rest of the match using a right knee injury.

Second year linebacker Jarvis Jones suffered a wrist injury and did not appear in the match again.

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Ike Taylor breaks forearm vs. Panthers

Ike Taylor (forearm) ruled out for remainder of game vs. Panthers

After an impressive first half, the Pittsburgh Steelers are unexpectedly spending more hours helping players off the field than playing onto it.

Expert defensive back Ike Taylor was helped off the field and straight to the locker room using a right forearm injury midway through the 3rd quarter. Taylor was ruled out for the remaining match only minutes after leaving.

Minutes before, rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier was helped off the field and later ruled out for the rest of the match using a right knee injury, the team declared.

Second year linebacker Jarvis Jones suffered a wrist injury before in the match and was likewise ruled out for the rest of the match.

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Ike Taylor (forearm) ruled out for remainder of game vs. Panthers

College Football 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings: Week 5

Aside from Mississippi State, which had an impressive success at LSU, there was not lots of upward motion in the latest CFB 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings. Nevertheless, things are beginning to get very interesting in the top 10 as merely nine points separate first and fourth position, and only 32 between first and seventh.

Points: 169 (5 first place votes) W-L: 3-0 Previous rank: 1

The lanky: No Jameis Winston, no issue? Well, not actually. FSU needed to work overtime, but the Seminoles got the win over Clemson. The remaining ACC looks like easy pickings the remaining way.

Staying schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 — at N.C. State; Saturday, Oct. 4 — vs. Wake Forest; Saturday, Oct. 11 — at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 18 — vs. Notre Dame; Thursday, Oct. 30 — at Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 8 — vs. Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 15 — at Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Nov. 22 — vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 29 — vs. Florida

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College Football 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings: Week 5

Eleven things you should learn from Week 4 in college football

If there is any uncertainty that Alabama quarterback Blake Sims had set his competition with Jacob Coker to rest entering Saturday, the Crimson Tide’s fifth-year senior stopped it having a fecund performance in his first SEC start, a 42-21 win over Florida.

Sims shredded the Florida shield for 445 passing yards on 23 of 33 passing, with four touchdowns. He set the tone in the opening play of the match, joining with running back Kenyan Drake for an 87-yard touchdown pass. And his season-long chemistry with star receiver Amari Cooper proceeded to the tune of 10 receptions for 201 yards. It was by no means a perfect trip. Alabama coach Nick Saban was irate with Sims for fumbling away Alabama’s third turnover of the day in the 2nd quarter, and Sims afterwards had a pass deflected and intercepted to provide the Gators excellent field position. But wherever Sims erred, he followed promptly with poise.

Late in the 3rd quarter, Sims left the field using a trainer, seemingly injured after an remarkable scramble. Coker calmed him and wanted just to hand off to running back Derrick Henry for almost all the yardage on a touchdown drive to open a 35-21 lead. But while Sims gave way to Coker for several plays, he left no doubt about Coker’s job going forward. The most heralded transfer in college football, whose former trainer at Florida State forecast would be an improvement over two-time national tournament quarterback AJ McCarron, is formally a back-up. And from the appearance of things, a poor showing by Sims later in the season — if it ever even comes — is not going to alter that.

If Coker is to one day be a high NFL draft pick, as Jimbo Fisher also has projected, he will need to wait until 2015 to show the world why.

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Eleven things you should learn from Week 4 in college football

Boston College stuns USC behind strong running attack

USC was riding high after last week’s huge upset of Pac 12 competition Stanford.

On Saturday yet, the Trojans came crashing back to reality as they were run over — actually — by Boston College in a vast cross country upset, 37-31.

Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy was nothing to write home about as a passer — 5-of-13 for 54 yards — but gashed USC in the earth for 191 yards and also a score. Boston College wound up with 452 yards to the floor as the Trojans defense just could not stop them.

Offensive line woes harassed USC much of the night time. The team simply had 20 yards to the earth (on 29 attempts) and went just 5-of-16 on third down. Quarterback Cody Kessler threw four touchdowns and had strong numbers but was harassed all night long by an impressive front seven.

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Boston College stuns USC behind strong running attack

Eleven things you should learn about Week 3 in college football

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Nobody is anticipating Tennessee to have much of a chance when the unranked Volunteers play at No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC).

And why should they?

By all rights, OU coach Bob Stoops’ open disrespect for the SEC should have Sooners supporters anticipating a Homecoming-like thrashing. After seven straight years of SEC national tournaments made a seven-year sting mark on Stoops’ tongue, he could not get to a mic quickly enough in January after OU impressively dispatched Alabama, 45-31, in the Sugar Bowl. And he was just as outspoken through the offseason.

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Eleven things you should learn about Week 3 in college football

Ohio State star DE Noah Spence set to return after suspension

Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence returns to the team this week after a three-game suspension, adding to an already-talented defensive line.

Spence (6-foot-3, 252 pounds), a junior, missed last season’s Orange Bowl and the first two games this season because he tested positive for ecstasy; originally, he was suspended for a full season, but the suspension was reduced to three games. His family has said Spence unintentionally took the drug when he was given a drink by people he didn’t know at a party.

Spence was listed as one of the nation’s top-10 pass rushers by NFL Media draft analyst Bucky Brooks in May. "Spence shows terrific snap-count anticipation and first-step quickness, but is still unpolished as a rusher off the edge," Brooks wrote. "He is still learning how to sequence his moves, but his impressive athleticism has allowed him to post solid production with a limited arsenal of pitches. If he can add a wrinkle or two to his game in the fall, Spence could be one of the most intriguing prospects to watch down the road."

Spence, who was a consensus top-five player nationally in the 2012 recruiting class, had eight sacks last season, which led the team; he added 14.5 tackles for loss, which was second on the team to linebacker Ryan Shazier, who was the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ first-round pick.

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Ohio State star DE Noah Spence set to return after suspension

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany: Don"t make judgments yet

Much like an athletic director giving a vote of confidence to his beleaguered coach, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has given one to his beleaguered league.

"The narrative is still developing for each team and for each of the conferences," Delany told The Associated Press. "It will develop into a full narrative by Dec. 7, not Sept. 7."

Saturday was not a good day for the Big Ten. The conference was involved in each of the three national marquee games, and league teams lost all three: Michigan State to Oregon, Michigan to Notre Dame and Ohio State to Virginia Tech.

In addition, two Big Ten teams fell to MAC opponents: Purdue to Central Michigan and Northwestern to Northern Illinois. And most of the league’s wins were uninspiring, too: Penn State beat Akron 21-3, Minnesota held off Middle Tennessee 35-24, Iowa rallied to beat Ball State 17-13 in the final two minutes, Maryland beat USF 24-17, Nebraska scored with 20 seconds left on an incredible catch-and-run by Ameer Abdullah to subdue FCS opponent McNeese State 31-24 and Illinois fended off Western Kentucky 41-34. And on closer inspection, wins by Rutgers over FCS member Howard (38-25) and Wisconsin over Western Illinois (37-3 after leading just 9-3 at halftime) weren’t that impressive, either.

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Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany: Don"t make judgments yet