BRIEF DEEPER DIVES ANNOUNCEMENT
Recently on the show, I mentioned that it was a goal to put the Deeper Dives on the YouTube Channel, which is not often used. This is not going to happen right away, but I do have a plan to create some background information for the “video” (slides) and have each Deeper Dive section on the YouTube channel for each player.
I did not get to writing up the Deep Dives for the release of today’s show. The audio Deep Dives for Luther Burden III and Kaleb Johnson will be on today’s show. The written version will be edited to this post at some point, but will also be released with the next write-up. Eventually when I have a few more of these, I do plan on linking a full list with all the write-ups together.
Draft Declarations can make things change, but the plan for next week is to do the Deep Dive on Tetairoa McMillan as well as some of the minor players with lower grades who will not get full Deep Dives at least at this point.
Guide to the College Football Conference Championship (aka the Playoff Play-Ins)
FRIDAY
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Boise St. v UNLV on FOX at 8:00 PM
Key Players: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise St. ; Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Stakes: Boise will likely get the #3 or #4 Seed with a win, including a berth in the Playoffs and a First Round Bye. UNLV will earn a spot in the playoffs with a win, likely placing themselves as the #12 Seed.
While Ashton Jeanty is now a 2,000+ Yard Rusher, the season’s goals are not yet complete. On the other hand, UNLV and Boise shouldn’t be seen as vastly different teams. Jeanty gives Boise the edge according to most, but UNLV WR Ricky White III could easily be a difference maker for UNLV as well. Ricky White has over 47% of his team’s Receiving Yards and Receiving TDs this year.
SATURDAY
BIG 12 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona State v Iowa State on ABC at Noon
Key Players: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St. ; Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa St. ; Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St. ; Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona St.
Stakes: The winner of this game will get a spot in the CFB Playoff, with a chance at a 1st Round Bye.
This game may feature three of the seven 1,000+-yd rushers in the Big 12. However, Tyson is dealing with an injury, so there is some doubt as to what role he can play in this game for Arizona State. If he cannot go, the offense will run even more through RB Cam Skattebo. For Iowa State, both of their top 2 starting WRs seem healthy, and the Higgins+Noel combo has been one of the most effective in CFB the last two years.
SEC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Texas v Georgia on ABC at 4:00 PM
Key Players: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas ; Arch Manning, QB, Texas (2026) ; Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas ; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas ; Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas ; Carson Beck, QB, Georgia ; Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia ; Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia (2027)
Stakes: The winner of this game will get a Bye and a top 2 Seed. The loser will likely be ranked between 5 & 7, and have a first round match-up in 2 weeks.
The only team where I feel compelled to write down two Quarterbacks, hopefully for Ewers, the threat alone of Arch Manning keeps him playing his best football. While Manning did not look good himself against Georgia, Ewers’ PFF Record 7 Turnover-Worthy-Plays in a single game against Georgia earlier in the year cannot happen again. Similarly, there are some negative trends on Texas like with WR Isaiah Bond. While he never had a great pace, Bond was at one point closer to a 900 receiving yard pace. In his last 6 games, injury affected or not, he has compiled under 150 receiving yards. One player who does have a very positive trend is QB Carson Beck. After a terrible start to the season, Beck has played mostly clean football the last three games, and this is a testament to his Offensive Line keeping him clean as well.
ACC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
SMU v Clemson on ABC at 8:00 PM
Key Players: Brashard Smith, RB, SMU ; Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson ; Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson ; Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson ; T.J. Moore, WR, Clemson (2027) ; Bryant Wesco, WR, Clemson (2027) ; Jake Brinningstool, TE, Clemson
Stakes: For SMU, a close loss might still deliver a playoff appearance, but the only way to be sure is to win and lock up the #3 seed. For Clemson, there is no hope for the playoffs without a win, but if Clemson does win, they could even be the 4-Seed and gain a bye with a UNLV win.
SMU has had a great season this year, but I’m not sure if they have a ton of players I’m looking for in this context. One that I do need to watch more carefully though is Brashard Smith, a converted WR. Most of the talent I’m scouting though does come from the Clemson side of the ball. QB Cade Klubnik is unlikely to join the 2025 QB Class at this point, but the path would involve a deep playoff run. In order to get there, he’ll need help from a very talented WR core that includes two freshman in T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco.
BIG TEN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Oregon v Penn State on CBS at 8:00 PM
Key Players: Jordan James, RB, Oregon ; Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon ; Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon ; Drew Allar, QB, Penn State ; Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State ; Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State ; Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Stakes: The winner of this game will get a Bye and a top 2 Seed. The loser will likely be ranked between 5 & 7, and have a first round match-up in 2 weeks. Oregon, given their 12-0 record, is extremely likely to be the #1 Seed with a win, or the #5 Seed with a loss.
The biggest spotlight player for Oregon is clearly Evan Stewart, who had 4 Games of 90+ Receiving Yards, 7 Games under 30 Receiving Yards, and only 1 Game this season between 30 and 90. That level of inconsistency is not ideal, but Stewart has at least been the best in the most important games. For Penn State, after an off-season of talking about how Allar / Singleton would compete to be a Tier 1 QB and a Tier 1 RB, the best candidate for their positions #1 pick is probably Tyler Warren, the TE. Warren has been phenomenal as a pass catcher, ball carrier, and has even thrown a TD pass. He’ll need to do it all & more if there’s any hope of the Penn State offense upsetting Oregon.
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Thanks,
C.J.
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