BCS top 25:

25: Oregon St.
24: Nebraska
23: UCF
22: Michigan
21: South Carolina
20: Louisville
19: Oklahoma
18: Northern Illinois
17: Fresno St
16: Texas A&M
15: Oklahoma
14: Virginia Tech
13: LSU
12: UCLA
11: Auburn
10: Texas Tech
9: Clemson
8: Baylor
7: Miami
6: Stanford
5: Missouri
4: Ohio State
3: Oregon (uh oh!)
2: Florida St.
1. Bama

Florida St's huge win enabled them to jump Oregon.

and a beatdown to administer to UCLA this week

they shouldn't be too worried as the Pac-12 is a stronger league than the ACC

<-Fear Ameer

I'm not worried....(yet)

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<---- 5....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlgiritpmfo

=======================================

Ditch the paper, save the trees, and go mobile! Text bizcard to 32462!

FSU still has (currently ranked #7) Miami left on their schedule. Oregon will have to win convincingly against UCLA and Stanford. Also beat either UCLA or ASU in their conf-chip.

FSU will have to beat Miami or V Tech in their conf-chip.

A lot of football left.

PSN= e_dub_
G.A.P. 2003

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance & conscientious stupidity. (Dr. Martin Luther King)

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. (Benjamin Franklin)

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

FSU has earned that 2 spot by drubbing Clemson but Oregon has enough remaining on the schedule to potentially jump them.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Auburn at 11! well deserved.

http://hypevercab.bandcamp.com

we stay getting robbed. lose one game and we can't even get a top 20 last week

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

You know Michigan has a lot more to worry about than a BCS rating

Furthermore, UM's difficulty level goes up quite a bit in the next 5 games, if you are right, you will get your chance to strut then

<-Fear Ameer

http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

.

<-- BAUGH SO HARD

New Mantra: anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg


Get 25% off www.karmaloop.com w/ rep code JR9103 |
Nike, G-Star, Herschel, Adidas (Men's & Women's clothing)

example #8298723423

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/10/27499/video-the-ohio-state-marching-bands-tribute-to-michael-jackson


http://i.imgur.com/EXUebsX.gif

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

aside from that travesty they lost by 7 to the #4 ranked team on the road

they're a pretty good team....definitely top 15 worthy and the clear 2nd best the big 10 has to offer..

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9855434/college-football-latest-projected-matchups-all-five-bcs-bowls

Current picks and next teams in line for every BCS slot

By Brad Edwards | ESPN Insider
49
16
18
EMAIL
PRINT
Helfrich/Saban
Getty Images/AP Photo
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Oregon Ducks are projected to meet in the BCS title game.
As we head into the second half of the college football season and with the first BCS standings released, here's a look at how the competition stacks up for the spots in the Bowl Championship Series games. For each slot, I'm presenting the pecking order, as it stands right now. This will give you an idea of which teams are in the driver's seat or are the favorites to land in those spots, and which ones still need a little bit of help. As you might guess, Saturday's upsets left this list looking quite different than it was at this time last week.

Vizio BCS National Championship Game
Current prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Oregon Ducks

Next up for BCS No. 1 and No. 2 spots: Florida State, Miami, Missouri, Ohio State, Baylor, Texas Tech

It seems clear that nobody is knocking Alabama from the No. 1 perch unless the Crimson Tide lose, and even though Oregon isn't No. 2 in this week's BCS standings, looks can be deceiving. The truth is that Florida State, coming off its biggest win of the season on Saturday, still couldn't come close to shaking the Ducks' hold on the second spot in the polls. The race appears tight now because of the computer rankings being in the Seminoles' favor, but that will change if both teams remain undefeated. Oregon has the more difficult schedule the rest of the way and, in my opinion, will finish higher than FSU in the final computer rankings, which means that the Noles will need to pass the Ducks in the polls to finish ahead of them in the final BCS standings.

Even though the win over Clemson may have only temporarily vaulted Florida State ahead of Oregon, it did solidify the Seminoles' spot ahead of Ohio State in the pecking order. And that position would probably transfer to Miami if the Hurricanes were able to beat the Seminoles not once, but twice, on the way to a perfect regular season and ACC title. I struggled with where to place Missouri on this depth chart, but my gut tells me that in the unlikely event that the Tigers run the table, they wouldn't finish ahead of Oregon and wouldn't be a lock to move past an undefeated FSU. In that case, I'd give them similar odds to the Seminoles, which is why I put them on the same line. If that scenario plays out, we'll learn more in the coming weeks.

All of this probably sounds quite depressing to Ohio State fans, but at least the Buckeyes shouldn't have to worry about getting jumped by an undefeated Big 12 champion. Small consolation, I know.

Discover Orange Bowl
Current prediction: Florida State Seminoles vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Next up for Florida State's spot (ACC): Miami, Virginia Tech, Clemson

Next up for Notre Dame's spot (at-large): Wisconsin, Alabama, Auburn, Missouri

If not in the BCS title game, the ACC champion will play in the Discover Orange Bowl, and Florida State is undoubtedly the favorite for that spot right now. Of course, the Coastal division champion, Miami or Virginia Tech, would be one game away from taking the spot for itself by winning the ACC title game in Charlotte. And then there's Clemson. If the Tigers win out, and FSU is able to finish in the top two of the BCS standings and play for the national championship, then Clemson would be a logical choice for the Orange to replace the Seminoles in that ACC slot.

The other spot in the game is not contractually tied to any conference, and the Orange gets the first BCS pick after the conference champs have been assigned and replacement choices have been made. Louisville's loss on Friday greatly clarified the outlook on this position. Notre Dame, if it can win out or finish 9-3 and still be ranked in the top 14, would be the easy preference. If the Irish aren't available, Big Ten teams are usually attractive at-large options, and Wisconsin has a good chance to be 10-2 on a seven-game winning streak. The SEC could also be a possibility if that conference doesn't have a team playing for the BCS title. For example, if Alabama, Auburn or Missouri finishes with one loss but doesn't win the conference, and the SEC champ is in the Sugar Bowl, that team would be in high demand for the Orange -- Alabama perhaps least of all, since it played a year earlier in that same stadium against Notre Dame.

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Current prediction: Auburn Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers

Next up for Auburn's spot (SEC): Alabama, Missouri, LSU, S. Carolina, Texas A&M

Next up for Clemson's spot (at-large): Big 12 nonchampion, UCF, Fresno State, Northern Ill.

If the SEC champion is not in the BCS title game, that team will play in the Sugar. If the SEC champ is ranked in the top two of the final standings, it's a virtual certainty that another SEC team will be chosen to fill this spot. At the moment, Auburn and Missouri seem the most likely candidates to either win the conference without being in the BCS top two, or not win the league but have fewer than three losses. If this happens to both teams, however, I think Auburn is more likely to be selected by the Sugar, and I think Alabama would also be ahead of Missouri if the Tide somehow lose to Auburn but still end up winning the SEC. Given the current division standings, several more teams are still in play, but LSU, South Carolina and Texas A&M seem most likely to finish in the top 14 without reaching the SEC title game. Honestly, this depth chart could change tremendously in the coming weeks.

If Clemson wins out and doesn't replace FSU in the Orange, the Tigers could be the pick here, and even with a second loss they might still be. If Clemson isn't available, a Big 12 team could come into play if BCS eligible (top 14). The champion of that conference will go to the Fiesta, but a second team (Baylor, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State) could potentially be bound for New Orleans if there's one with a high enough ranking. There's a chance that the Sugar could get stuck with its only choice being between the American Athletic Conference champion and a non-AQ entry, and in that scenario, I'd currently give the edge to the odds-on American champ, UCF.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Current prediction: Baylor Bears vs. UCF Knights

Next up for Baylor's spot (Big 12): Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St.

Next up for UCF's spot (at-large): Fresno State, Northern Ill.

The Big 12 side of this will become clearer by early November, but for now, you have your group that's undefeated in conference play, followed by your group with one loss in conference play. The rest of the league is pretty much eliminated already.

The at-large spot in this game will be the final pick or the last team left on the board. If a non-AQ team doesn't meet the qualifying standard (top 12, or top 16 if an AQ conference champ isn't in the top 16), this spot is almost certain to go to the American champion. And until a non-AQ team gets into that range in the BCS standings, I'll make UCF the favorite for this spot. If it looks like a non-AQ team will be eligible, that team becomes the new clubhouse leader for this position.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio
Current prediction: Stanford Cardinal vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Next up for Stanford's spot (Pac-12): Arizona State, UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State

Next up for Ohio State's spot (Big Ten): Michigan St., Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin

On the Pac-12 side, the most likely scenario seems to be that Oregon finishes in the BCS top two, and another team from the Pac-12 is picked as a replacement for the Rose. Currently, Stanford seems the best candidate for that scenario. Aside from that, there's always a chance that the Ducks could be upset in the conference title game, and the South representative goes to (or in the case of UCLA, stays in) Pasadena. And there's even a chance that the Ducks could be upset but still manage to win the league, as occurred in 2011. And then there's the team nobody's talking about, Oregon State, which still has an opportunity to shock the nation by beating Oregon and winning the Pac-12 title game.

With Ohio State currently on the outside looking in for the BCS Championship Game, I'm placing the Buckeyes in the Rose, but that could certainly change. And even though they'd be heavy underdogs in the conference championship game, Michigan State, Nebraska and even Michigan are still alive for that possibility. And, finally, there's the chance that Ohio State ends up playing for the BCS title, opening the door for a 10-2 Wisconsin to go back to Pasadena yet again.

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

(idk how well this will copy paste, idc either)


http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/9830628/2014-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-updates-list-top-10-prospects-every-position


To go directly to a position group, click these links:

Offense: QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | K/P
Defense: DE | DT | OLB | ILB| CB | S
It's been six weeks since I ran a full update of my top 10 NFL prospects at all positions. For a look at where they stood prior to the start of the college football season, you can go here. This time, I'm going to put all the prospects together in one file so it's easier to navigate. A couple of important things to remember while reading:

• Not all prospects below are certain to be a part of the 2014 NFL draft. For instance, the top four quarterbacks below can all return to school in 2014.
• Prospects are listed under projected NFL positions. Example: You could see a player listed at outside linebacker who currently plays defensive end.

With those factors in mind, here are the updated rankings.

*Asterisk denotes junior
**Asterisk denotes third-year sophomore

Offense
Quarterbacks

1. *Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
A potential No. 1 overall pick. Has all the skills, only dinged by questions about a lack of competition so far in 2013.

2. **Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Physically gifted as an athlete, but patient as a progression passer, with a great arm. A clear challenger to Bridgewater.

3. **Brett Hundley, UCLA
Significant physical abilities and no questions about his arm. Shows plenty of toughness and is just scratching the surface.

4. **Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Question his arm strength and occasionally his decision-making, but not his preternatural gifts as an instinctive playmaker.

5. Zach Mettenberger, LSU
Has thrived under Cam Cameron, and shows off an ability to anticipate. Better weapons have helped his development.

6. *Bryce Petty, Baylor
The system helps, but Petty has shown all the skills to exploit it. How will he perform as the competition picks up?

7. Stephen Morris, Miami (FL)
Maybe the best deep-ball thrower in the college game. Must improve his consistency and decision-making.

8. AJ McCarron, Alabama
Dogged by questions of how good the surrounding talent is, but McCarron has clearly surpassed the "game-manager" label.

9. Tajh Boyd, Clemson
Great arm strength, improved fundamentals and a poised leader. Can make all the throws.

10. Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois
A sleeper entering the season, could have a solid mid-round grade if he shines during the draft process.

Running backs

1. *De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon
Electric in space, he's also shown an ability to bounce off contact for big gains and has legit sprinter's speed. Return skills raise the grade.

EnlargeDe'Anthony Thomas
Cal Sport Media via AP Images
De'Anthony Thomas has explosive speed.
2. *Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
Explosive runner with improved vision. Has a tendency to run horizontally as he looks for the big play. Devastating in the open field.

3. **Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Great vision and has shown off the ability to turn on the jets and run away from defenders when he hits the second level.

4. *Bishop Sankey, Washington
A workhorse back who runs behind his pads and can turn a small seam into a big play. Has proven he can be durable.

5. *Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
Explosive runner who uses great pad level and quickness to turn small plays into big gains. Pretty good hands.

6. Carlos Hyde, Ohio St.
Powerful back at more than 230 pounds, has great leg drive and good feet in the hole. Will shed tacklers and add yards after contact.

7. Dri Archer, Kent St.
Will get the Darren Sproles comparisons due to diminutive size, but like Sproles can also excel as a pass-catcher and returner.

8. Charles Sims, West Virginia
The former transfer has been productive and should enter spring with a mid-round grade.

9. *Isaiah Crowell, Alabama St.
A one-time top recruit at Georgia, Crowell is explosive but will face character questions based on his history in Athens.

10. Marion Grice, Arizona St.
Great change-of-direction skills and the ability to out-run everyone once he hits the second level.

Fullbacks

1. Trey Millard, Oklahoma
Can be as effective as a pulling guard, able to seek out blocks and pave the way.

2. J.C. Copeland, LSU
A huge fullback at 270-plus pounds.

3. *Jalston Fowler, Alabama
Hasn't looked out of place when he gets a rare touch, at near 5 yards per carry. Do-it-all skills.

4. Ryan Hewitt, Stanford
Powerful blocker in a system that emphasizes it.

5. Kiero Small, Arkansas
Compact and powerful, wouldn't be out of place as a linebacker.

6. Chad Young, San Diego St.
7. Jay Prosch, Auburn
8. C.J. Zimmerer, Nebraska
9. Chad Abram, Florida St.
10. Jordan Luallen, Cincinnati

Wide receivers

1. *Marqise Lee, USC
Would have factored into the top 10 of the 2013 draft had he been eligible. Battling a minor knee injury as a junior.

2. *Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Big-time explosiveness and above-average size. Showing improved ability to improvise and work back to the ball.

3. **Mike Evans, Texas A&M
An impossible cover at 6-foot-5 with leaping ability, he lacks a quick burst but can run away in the open field.

EnlargeAllen Robinson
Matthew O'Haren/USA TODAY Sports
Allen Robinson has made some big catches this season.
4. Tevin Reese, Baylor
Putting up huge totals and making a lot of plays in a system and program that has turned out a lot of talent over the past few years.

5. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
He has exceptional hands and route-running skills, has looked quicker and the grade has risen this season.

6. *DeVante Parker, Louisville
A big target at 6-3, he's a big-play threat for Bridgewater.

7. *Allen Robinson, Penn St.
Reliable hands, and does a great job of bringing in the contested throw.

8. Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin
Smart player who knows how to create space, doesn't drop the ball and can make contested catches.

9. *Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
Another tough cover, Coleman is too big for most corners, and will work the middle of the field or the edges.

10. *Donte Moncrief, Mississippi
A big, physical target at near 230 pounds, but he can show off elusiveness with the ball in his hands.

Tight ends

1. *Eric Ebron, North Carolina
New-breed tight end with size, speed and the ability to stretch the field and go up the ladder to make plays.

2. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
A huge target, "ASJ" has a massive catch-radius and can be used split out or on the line, where he's a capable blocker.

3. *Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
At 6-5 and near 260 pounds, he has a lean, athletic frame and is a threat after the catch.

4. *Colt Lyerla, Oregon
Not sure what will happen now with Lyerla, a raw, supremely athletic guy who is no longer on the team.

5. *Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
Has stepped in for Tyler Eifert and has proven capable, delivering big plays down the field.

6. Marcel Jensen, Fresno St.
A big tight end, at 6-6 and about 270 pounds, gets his share of targets in a pass-happy offense.

7. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Lacks explosiveness, but a complete player in a system that has produced NFL talent at the position.

8. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin
Good hands and without a clear weakness, but not an above-average athlete at the NFL level for the position.

9. Chris Coyle, Arizona St.
Smaller tight end at less than 230 pounds, but shows good hands.

10. Arthur Lynch, Georgia
Emerged in 2012 as a capable secondary target in the Georgia offense.

Offensive tackles

1. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Moved to left tackle after the departure of Luke Joeckel, and will play that position at the next level.

2. Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Great length and above-average athleticism. Four-year starter who could have factored into the first round in 2013.

EnlargeJake Matthews
Marvin Gentry/USA TODAY Sports
Jake Matthews is a likely first-round pick next May.
3. *Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
Ideal frame, with quick feet and long arms, needs to improve consistency and balance. Could be drafted before he turns 21.

4. *Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
Consistently shines against good competition, moves extremely well and could excel during the draft process. First-rounder.

5. *La'el Collins, LSU
Shines as a powerful run-blocker after a season spent at guard. A developing talent.

6. Zack Martin, Notre Dame
Putting together a strong senior season and now in the early Day 2 mix.

7. *Cameron Erving, Florida St.
Supremely athletic, he shined as an inexperienced sophomore, but is now facing bigger expectations.

8. *Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Lean and athletic, could be the next A&M tackle to work his way to the top of the draft board.

9. James Hurst, North Carolina
If he cleans up his technique, could push to be one of the top tackles on the board.

10. Seantrel Henderson, Miami (FL)
The one-time superstar recruit is an immense human and shows great power in the run game.

Offensive guards

1. David Yankey, Stanford
Athletic enough to play tackle at the next level, but could be a star at guard, which is where he's playing now.

2. Gabe Jackson, Mississippi St.
He has the build of a tackle, but should stick at guard where his quickness is more of an asset.

3. Cyril Richardson, Baylor
Has seen time at tackle, but better off as a powerful guard who can overwhelm in the run game at his best.

4. *Josue Matias, Florida St.
Has often looked like the best offensive lineman on a prospect-rich team.

5. Chris Watt, Notre Dame
Could work his way into Day 2 consideration.

6. Ryan Groy, Wisconsin
7. Zach Fulton, Tennessee
8. *Tre' Jackson, Florida St.
9. Brandon Thomas, Clemson
10. Anthony Steen, Alabama

Centers

1. Travis Swanson, Arkansas
Has all the skills you look for from a top-flight NFL center. Moves extremely well and quickly navigates to the second level.

2. *Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
Supremely athletic, he's dynamic on stretch plays and screens, where you'll see him block 30 yards down the field.

3. Weston Richburg, Colorado St.
Held his own against Alabama, further cementing his place as a possible second-day pick.

4. Bryan Stork, Florida St.
Experienced player who should land in the middle rounds (3-5) come May.

5. James Stone, Tennessee
An athletic player, he's been a starter since his freshman season. Mid-round grade.

6. *Russell Bodine, North Carolina
7. Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
8. Zac Kerin, Toledo
9. Tyler Larsen, Utah St.
10. Andrew Miller, Virginia Tech

Special teams

Kickers

1. Cairo Santos, Tulane
2. Chris Boswell, Rice
3. Zach Hocker, Arkansas
4. Anthony Fera, Texas
5. Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
6. Mike Meyer, Iowa
7. Mitch Ewald, Indiana
8. *Ty Long, UAB
9. Andrew Furney, Washington St.
10. Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson

Punters

1. Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa St.
2. Tom Hornsey, Memphis
3. Steven Clark, Auburn
4. Cody Webster, Purdue
5. *Trevor Pardula, Kansas
6. Pat O'Donnell, Miami (FL)
7. Richie Leone, Houston
8. Mike Sadler, Michigan St.
9. Cody Mandell, Alabama
10. Paul Layton, Temple

Defense
Defensive ends

1. *Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Overall talent and previous production still outpace questions about a mixed season on the field.

2. *Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
EnlargeJadeveon Clowney
AP Photo/Stephen Morton
Jadeveon Clowney has amazing physical skills.
Hasn't been fully healthy in 2013, but still safely a first-round grade as a 3-4 fit.
3. *Scott Crichton, Oregon St.
Disruptive, relentless player, but will face ceiling questions on how gifted an athlete he is.

4. **Aaron Lynch, South Florida
Not at all a sure bet for the 2014 draft after his first year back in action after transferring from Notre Dame.

5. Chris Smith, Arkansas
A productive player with pass-rushing skills who will be an early-round option for 4-3 teams.

6. James Gayle, Virginia Tech
Could be one of the top pass-rushers in the draft, but must add diversity to his arsenal.

7. Kareem Martin, North Carolina
Should benefit as a Day 2 option given the size to offer pass-rush production in a 4-3.

8. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
He's been on the radar of scouts since high school, but is putting together a strong senior year.

9. Ed Stinson, Alabama
He's gotten lost amidst the many prospects on this defense over the past two years, but should end up a Day 2 pick.

10. Larry Webster, Bloomsburg
A basketball convert now playing defensive end (a Division II Julius Peppers?), he's put up prolific totals and is now a lock to be drafted.

Defensive tackles

1. *Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
Moves well for his size (around 340 pounds), and profiles as a two-gap defensive tackle, a rare commodity.

2. *Timmy Jernigan, Florida St.
The one-time defensive end has moved inside with added bulk but has retained his athleticism.

3. *Anthony Johnson, LSU
Explosive at the point of attack, Johnson flashes great potential but must become better at freeing himself from good blocking.

4. Dominique Easley, Florida
Was having a dominant season before a knee injury. Still retains value based on major productivity.

5. Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
A mountain of a man in the middle at about 370 pounds, he must maintain better leverage.

6. Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
A freak athlete for his size, could be a star during the combine and draft process.

7. DaQuan Jones, Penn St.
Plugs the middle and will take on multiple blocks. Plays north of 330 pounds.

8. Will Sutton, Arizona St.
Was hugely productive last season, and could have been a Day 2 pick in 2013.

9. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Probably a better fit as a 4-3 DT, he has the quickness to beat blockers off the snap.

10. Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas St.
Big and productive, he maintains an early Day 3 grade.

Inside linebackers

1. C.J. Mosley, Alabama
Gifted in coverage, Mosley's ability to make plays against either the run or the pass makes him a likely first-rounder.

2. *Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
Last year it was Sio Moore, this year it'll be Smallwood as the active playmaker out of UConn. He's got Day 1 potential.

3. Chris Borland, Wisconsin
Extremely productive, Borland is a tackling machine and a better athlete than most realize.

4. *A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
A starter since he arrived on campus, Johnson has a nose for the ball and will again lead the Vols in tackles.

5. Christian Jones, Florida St.
Supremely athletic, Jones can play right away as a weakside linebacker.

6. Shayne Skov, Stanford
Will face questions due to an extensive injury history, but when healthy a reliable and disciplined player.

7. Max Bullough, Michigan St.
Profiles as a classic middle linebacker in a 4-3, a sure tackler with underrated range.

8. Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA
Sideline-to-sideline player with very good instincts. Lacks elite size at about 235 pounds, but it's not much of a detriment.

9. Glenn Carson, Penn St.
An experienced performer, he's a likely third-day selection at this point.

10. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky
A stout player with good instincts, Jackson is a sure tackler.

Outside linebackers

1. Anthony Barr, UCLA
The one-time fullback had a hugely productive junior season and has built on that in 2013.

EnlargeUCLA's Anthony Barr
Cal Sport Media via AP Images
Anthony Barr is having a great season.
2. *Vic Beasley, Clemson
The breakout pass-rusher of the 2013 season, Beasley leads the nation in sacks at the midway point and profiles as a pass-rushing 3-4 OLB.

3. Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Capable of beating tackles when lined up on the edge, Mack also does a great job of shedding blocks and making tackles in space.

4. *Ryan Shazier, Ohio St.
He's undersized and doesn't profile as a pass-rusher, but Shazier has exceptional instincts, pursues well and makes plays to the sidelines.

5. Kyle Van Noy, BYU
Returned for his senior season even though I thought he would have been a second-rounder in 2013.

6. Trent Murphy, Stanford
He's not explosive, but has solid pass-rush skills and shows good leverage against the run.

7. Morgan Breslin, USC
A productive pass-rusher as a defensive end, he uses his hands well to clear blocks and attack the pocket.

8. *Carl Bradford, Arizona St.
Another converted fullback, he piled up 20.5 tackles for loss last season.

9. *Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
Has the ideal frame and athleticism, but needs to add consistency.

10. Lamin Barrow, LSU
A versatile, experienced player, he can capably play inside or outside linebacker.

Cornerbacks

1. *Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Explosive out of his backpedal, he has good ball skills and is a powerful tackler for a corner.

2. *Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida
Still relies on natural talent more than technique; he's a gifted athlete who can catch the ball and doesn't allow separation.

3. *Bradley Roby, Ohio St.
Had a standout sophomore campaign and has elite speed, can shut people down but will give up short stuff.

4. *Marcus Roberson, Florida
Probably a better pure cover corner right now than Purifoy. A likely Day 2 pick if the draft were held today.

5. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan St.
Competitive, physical and with the ability to mirror receivers and attack the line of scrimmage and make tackles.

6. Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
Recovery from an ACL injury will factor in. Has the size and experience to convert back to safety.

7. Jason Verrett, TCU
A ball hawk, he moves well in coverage and can turn and run with receivers with ease.

8. Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
Experience at both corner and safety. Has the talent to be a Day 2 selection.

9. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma St.
Struggled somewhat last season after a fantastic sophomore campaign. Could jump again.

10. Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
A small-college prospect, he has a chance to make a splash at the Senior Bowl.

Safeties

1. *Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
His strength is in coverage, where he's shown the ability to read QBs and break quickly to make plays on the ball.

2. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida St.
He's undersized at about 5-8, 190, but has shifted from cornerback and been productive. A ball hawk.

3. Deone Bucannon, Washington St.
Bucannon has become an impressive player physically and will attack the line of scrimmage. Must grow in coverage.

4. Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
Shows off versatility as a guy who can attack the line of scrimmage but also cover deep.

5. *Ed Reynolds, Stanford
Has great range and an ability to play a deep center but attack the ball underneath and to the sidelines.

6. Craig Loston, LSU
An experienced player, he has been up and down this season along with the young Tigers defense.

7. *Dion Bailey, USC
The one-time linebacker is better suited to safety, but doesn't shy away from physical play.

8. Terrence Brooks, Florida St.
One-time defensive back played free safety for the Seminoles in 2012 and made the transition well.

9. Ty Zimmerman, Kansas St.
Started 35 straight games for the Wildcats, and had an INT in four straight games last season.

10. Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi St.
The senior currently carries an early third-day grade on my board.

RECOMMEND97TWEET51COMMENTS58EMAILPRINTInsiderSUBSCRIBE

Mel Kiper Jr.
Football analyst
Archive
ESPN NFL Draft analyst since 1984
Contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio
Writes weekly for ESPN Insider

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/travis-haney/post?id=1077

The tweets started reaching my mentions page by midafternoon, continuing as the losses to the SEC's top half piled up. It was a steady flow of vitriol, a sort of happiness rooted in residual scorn.

The South has enjoyed plenty of Saturdays. Week 8, for the most part, was not one of them. This one was for the rest of the country -- at least those who are into schadenfreude.

Five of the SEC's eight ranked teams (Nos. 6, 7, 11, 15 and 22) lost, with three of those losses coming against unranked teams. With each defeat, the SEC saw its conference and national title contenders fade. Florida. South Carolina. Georgia. Texas A&M. LSU. All knocked off, all knocked out.

We wake up on Oct. 20, and the SEC is suddenly a 1.5-team league: Alabama and maybe Missouri. That’s my top takeaway from Week 8. Others include Jameis Winston’s move on the Heisman Trophy, how Stanford bounced back from a loss and how still-undefeated Baylor bounced back after “only” scoring 35.

1. The SEC's BCS title odds have taken a big hit

I love what Missouri has done so far this season. As I noted in Friday’s blog, several coaches I've spoken with appreciate the Tigers' talent, which was again on display in their 36-17 win over Florida on Saturday. But there's no question that Alabama is toting the banner for the conference.

The Tide blistered Arkansas on Saturday, committing no turnovers or penalties and allowing no points. Outside of the 49-42 win over Texas A&M, Alabama has outscored its opponents 236-26 this season. That includes allowing six, zero, three, seven and zero points in the past five games (3.2 points per game). Not bad for a team that was supposedly looking shaky earlier in the season.

So even though the SEC might not have as many suitors for the final BCS crystal football, it still has the top contender. The reigning champs remain the favorites to further the dynasty, and their chances are boosted by a manageable closing schedule: versus Tennessee, bye, versus LSU, at Mississippi State, versus Chattanooga and at Auburn (this last game might now be the biggest test, a road game against a rival that is heating up after its big win Saturday over the Aggies).

But while the Crimson Tide are exactly the team you'd want to count on to carry the banner for your conference, the SEC's margin for error in the national title race was reduced significantly on Saturday. And with some impressive-looking contenders emerging in other conferences (even though it's still early; more on that in a bit), the SEC's national championship streak looks more vulnerable than it has in the past few seasons.

2. FSU was every positive adjective in the dictionary -- but it’s October

From the first scrimmage play of the game, a Clemson fumble, Florida State stepped on the Tigers at Death Valley. The Seminoles were impressive from start to finish in their 51-14 win. I’ll likely have Winston first or second on my new Heisman Watch poll this week.

But let’s not automatically advance the Seminoles into the BCS title game. That’s not hating on what the Noles did, but it’s just reality in this week-to-week dice game called college football. Look no further than the aforementioned SEC to understand that things change quickly.

The remaining schedule does look mostly appealing (including games against North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Syracuse and Idaho), but in-state rivalry games versus Miami (Nov. 2) and at Florida (Nov. 30) will not be walkovers. Neither would the potential ACC title game, which looks as if it’ll be a rematch with Miami or a matchup with Virginia Tech.

The Noles look the part of a national title contender, but the best team doesn’t always win. FSU should know that better than any team.

3. Winston is a real threat to become the second straight freshman Heisman winner

Jameis Winston
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Jameis Winston may have put himself at the top of the Heisman race with FSU's win Saturday over Clemson.
All of those words of caution regarding FSU aside, the reason to put more faith in this particular Seminoles team is the quarterback play.

An assistant coach for another team told me this week that it was clear Winston simply had that "it" factor that the best QBs do, and that certainly appeared to be the case on Saturday. It turns out he does have that Johnny Manziel gene that allows a player to rise to the occasion without nerves. Did you see the pregame shot of him talking to the team in the locker room? Or the late-game shot of him visiting each teammate, one by one, on the sideline? Whatever “it” is, Winston has it.

That’s the word I got all spring and summer from people who had seen him or knew of him. I nearly put him No. 1 on my preseason breakout players list (I ended up ranking him No. 3) on the word I was getting from coaches who recruited him and the Seminoles staff that had seen him practice, writing that he could be this year’s version of Manziel or Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.

And now Winston is alongside -- or ahead of, depending on who you ask -- Mariota and Manziel in the Heisman race. Anyone who can turn in that sort of performance (444 passing yards, four total TDs) in those circumstances deserves consideration. He’s no fluke.

4. Stanford got back to being Stanford, and still remains Oregon’s biggest hurdle

Previously undefeated UCLA went from putting up 488 yards versus California last week to recording 266 in its loss to Stanford on Saturday. So yes, the Cardinal still figure to be Oregon’s top threat to a BCS title game run, even with their Week 7 loss to Utah. They haven’t vanished after that surprising loss, just like last year after they fell at Washington. And with quite a bit of help (they already got plenty on Saturday), they can get back in the national championship race.

UCLA redshirt sophomore QB Brett Hundley averaged just 4.9 yards per pass attempt on Saturday, after averaging 9 per attempt coming in. Maybe Oregon's offense can run up big numbers on Stanford on Nov. 7, but don’t count on it.

5. The surprise undefeateds (for the most part) stayed hot

Tevin Reese
Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports
Baylor's offense continued to roll in the Bears' win over Iowa State Saturday.
Of the five teams I featured in Friday's blog -- Baylor, Miami, Missouri, Texas Tech and UCLA -- all but UCLA remained undefeated.

• Baylor returned to form against Iowa State, going for 71 points and 714 yards against a Cyclones team that typically at least plays close with conference opponents. I’ve repeatedly written that the defense is what will dictate Baylor’s success, and the Bears gave up just 174 yards and seven (late) points to ISU.

A Big 12 reporter that I respect asserted Saturday night that this Baylor team is better than the Oklahoma State team from 2011 that was an overtime loss to Iowa State away from playing for the national title. I think it's a little early to make that call, but it's an interesting comparison because Bears defensive coordinator Phil Bennett recently told me that 2011 Cowboys team is the blueprint for what the Bears want to do: play red zone defense and get takeaways. That Cowboys team had an incredible 44 forced turnovers, so Baylor is behind that pace with just 14 in six games, but if that defense is being mentioned in the same breath as the 2011 Cowboys, that's a good sign in Waco. This is a team creeping toward top-5 status, in my opinion. I'm a Bear-liever. (Sorry for the lame pun.)

• Miami’s Thursday night win over North Carolina was ugly, no doubt, but it says something that the Hurricanes still found a way to win on the road. The FSU game in two weeks looms large.

• Missouri's ability to show balance on offense versus Florida -- it had 295 yards passing, 205 rushing -- bodes well for the Tigers moving forward. It’s too early to say the Tigers will definitely be in Atlanta to face Alabama or the West champ, but a two-game lead in the East with South Carolina coming to town next week is ideal positioning for this time of year. And as much as the country still might not realize it, this isn’t a fluke. The Tigers have really good talent at running back, wide receiver and the defensive line, and opposing coaches have taken notice.

• Some coaches I spoke with last week didn't think Kliff Kingsbury's Red Raiders team would be able to survive Saturday's road game against West Virginia, but they came through with a 37-27 win. I'm curious to see how they handle playing back-to-back road games, as a trip to Norman to play Oklahoma is on the docket this week. There's no question that this team is playing with confidence -- that undoubtedly must come from playing for a coach who looks like Ryan Gosling.

Quick takes

• After last week’s “The Experts” show on ESPNU, I asked my fellow panelists if we were wrong to have been too dismissive of Ohio State's national title chances. But Saturday’s home survival versus Iowa was validation that the Bucks simply aren’t on the same level as the country’s top three teams. Still, sorting out the BCS championship picture will be a mess if OSU goes undefeated. The resume comparisons with even strong one-loss teams -- say, if Oregon or FSU happens to drop a game -- will evoke contentious debates.

• I said after Tennessee’s near-miss against Georgia that Butch Jones and his staff still had a ways to go in terms of getting the Vols to believe they could make critical plays in necessary times. Give Jones and his assistants credit. The next time out, at home against South Carolina on Saturday, Tennessee did make those plays in its 23-21 win. It was the get-over-the-hump, signature win that Jones needed in this first season. Now 4-3, UT has a decent shot to get into a bowl game, even though three more ranked teams (Alabama, Missouri and Auburn) are next.

• Gamecocks fans griped to me after the loss that Steve Spurrier’s late-game play calling was suspect. Their argument was that with the lead, Spurrier leaned too hard on QB Connor Shaw, who wound up hurting his knee (he’ll likely miss a few weeks), and not budding star RB Mike Davis. They also wondered why he casually burned two second-half timeouts, when those were later needed.

A source on the sideline said some of the team’s defensive coaches were audibly grumbling in the fourth quarter after a few of Spurrier’s decisions. It’s been a month-and-a-half-long soap opera for the Gamecocks, with Saturday as another chapter.

• I quote coaches a lot, but sometimes they’re not 100 percent dead on. One told me in the preseason that he thought Bobby Petrino would be the head coach at Auburn in two years. He said Gus Malzahn would never succeed there because he had essentially been run off from the previous regime.

However many doubters are out there, Malzahn and the Tigers are proving them wrong following their 45-41 win over Texas A&M in College Station. Combined with their earlier win over Ole Miss, that's two victories against teams that have as much or more talent than them. Can Auburn and QB Nick Marshall continue to improve, and push Alabama in the Iron Bowl?

• Every time I looked up from writing this post Saturday night, Oregon had put up another score in the its 62-38 win over Washington State. I was digging the Ducks' pink unis, appreciating the nod toward breast cancer awareness.

The Ducks host UCLA on Saturday, then have a bye week before their Thursday night showdown with Stanford on Nov. 7.
RECOMMEND64TWEET7COMMENTS21EMAILPRINT

Travis Haney
ESPN Insider
FollowArchive
• Joined ESPN as Insider's national college football writer in April 2012
• Previously wrote for The Oklahoman and The Post and Courier

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

2 years in a row. Sheesh.


And they ain't even mention either of our RB's or TE's.



New Mantra: anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg


Get 25% off www.karmaloop.com w/ rep code JR9103 |
Nike, G-Star, Herschel, Adidas (Men's & Women's clothing)

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/photos/college-football-cheerleaders-of-week-8-1382208008-slideshow/

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

<--- Big Baller World Order

(for the most part)

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

channeling the fury & controlled aggression of pacific ocean waves and shit into a zen like mind state...


tajh boyd thinking "shit, her..and her...and her"

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

Mariota is like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV_zaR89q_w

Boyd is like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGzq2HQ2YRs

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

New Mantra: anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg


Get 25% off www.karmaloop.com w/ rep code JR9103 |
Nike, G-Star, Herschel, Adidas (Men's & Women's clothing)

http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg