KCSNU Kickoff - College Football's 5 Most Interesting Games of Week 3
A rundown of College Football games to watch today!
Week three of the College Football season is on it’s way and we’re here to help guide you through the day. Interested in what games to watch, when they are, how to watch them, and who to be looking out for? We got you covered with the KCSNU Kickoff!
Unfortunately this week’s slate of games doesn’t have as many matchups with the same magnitude as last week but there are #fun games to be had at all times of the day. Even more exciting for the draft nerd in me, there are a lot of good prospect vs prospect matchups happening throughout the day. Specifically, there are a lot of good offensive tackle vs defensive end matchups and they couldn’t come at a better time after seeing the Chiefs and the Chargers game playout Thursday night.
What to Watch on CFB’s Week 2
Local Games
Kansas vs Houston
Time: 4:00PM EST | Location: Houston, TX| TV Station: ESPNU
Prospect To Watch: Nelson Ceasar | Hou | DE | #9
Nelson Ceasar’s EDGE teammate Derek Parish is getting all the hype this year by making Bruce Feldman’s Freak List and currently leading the team in sacks but Ceasar may be the better NFL prospect. A four star recruit coming out of highschool, he stayed in his home state and has slowly fought his way to the top of a talented Houston defensive line and now it’s turn to follow in the footsteps of Payton Turner and Logan Hall Ceasar has the length and flexibility the NFL covets in speed rushers on the outside and as Houston gets into league play, he’ll be expected to become one of the top rushers in the AAC.
Tulane vs Kansas State
Time: 3:00PM EST | Location: Manhattan, KS| TV Station: ESPN+
Prospect To Watch: Deuce Vaughn | KST | RB | #22
Deuce Vaughn is hardly a secret to the local football fan - or even college football fan at this point - but it’s well worth it to set time aside to watch him specifically every now and then. K-State should be able to have their way with Tulane making this a good game for Vaughn to show off everything that he can do in a good situation. Coming off back to back 100+ yard rushing performances, there isn’t a reason to think he won’t land the three-peat this week.
Abilene Christian vs Missouri
Time: 12:00PM EST | Location: Columbia, MO | TV Station: ESPN+
Prospect To Watch: Isaiah McGuire | MU | DE | #9
Despite not getting quite the same level of national media love, Isaiah McGuire may be the Tigers’ best defensive draft prospect. His running mate Trajan Jeffcoat seems to get more buzz but McGuire out-produced him last year and is doing so again early on in 2022. McGuire is the more athletic of the two and if can continue to show improved hand technique could be an interesting mid-round draft pick come April. This game should be a good opportunity for McGuire to flex that superior athletic skill as Missouri looks to get back on track.
Saturday Schedule
Oklahoma vs Nebraska
Time: 12:00PM EST | Location: Lincoln, NE | TV Station: FOX
Prospect To Watch: Anton Harrison | OU | OT | #71
Anton Harrison is a 3 year starter at OT for the Sooners - one at right, two at left - and he continues to improve year after year. He has the baseline athleticism to operate in any scheme and play out in space. Harrison shows great patience and balance for a college OT, opting to play with his feet before his hands consistently. Against Nebraska he’ll see a familiar foe in ex-Big 12 EDGE rusher Ochaun Mathis who has transferred to Nebraska. Two day two hopefuls battling it out on Big Noon Saturday..
BYU vs Oregon
Time: 3:30PM EST | Location: Eugene, ORE | TV Station: FOX
Prospect To Watch: Blake Freeland | BYU | OT | #71
Blake Freeland was a 3 star athlete recruit that Power 5 offers but ultimately chose to follow his parents footsteps and go to BYU. He earned starts at RT as a true freshman in 2019 and then again in 2020 before transitioning over to the left side in 2021. He’s a super athletic OT that excels out in space and has great range in the run game. As a pass protector he’s still working on perfecting his footwork, hand timing, and battling leverage - coming in at 6’8” it’s something he has to fight - but the development has been promising. A physical Oregon front could give him a chance to showcase he’s ready for NFL level power and help build his resume to push into the first round.
Michigan State vs Washington
Time: 7:30PM EST | Location: Seattle, WA | TV Station: ABC
Prospect To Watch: Jaxson Kirkland. | WA | OT | 53
Jaxson Kirkland was a highly thought of OT prospect heading into the 2022 NFL draft but an up and down season in addition to a late season ankle injury led him to returning to Washington for another year. Now with another year in the weight room, Kirkland looks to showcase more power and more comfort outside during his second full season starting at OT. Across from Kirkland will be the current CFB sack leader, Jacoby Windmon. Windmon is a transfer from UNLV and his combination of speed and rush move arsenal has led to a lot of early season success.
Wildcard Watches
SMU vs Maryland
Time: 7:30PM EST | Location: College Park, MD | TV Station: Fox Sports 1
Prospect To Watch: Every Wide Receiver
The entire Maryland WR should play in the NFL, or at least the top four. Deontay Demus (#7), Rakim Jarret (#1), Jeshaun Jones (#6), and Jacob Copeland (#2) all have a good shot to get drafted whenever they decide to declare for the NFL Draft. Copeland has speed to spare as an effective while Jones is a smooth operating possession WR. Demus and Jarret are looking at higher draft slots at this point with Demus being the larger, stronger X-WR and Jarret the faster, more explosive Z-WR prospects. SMU isn’t sitting this one out either as Rashee Rice (#11) has a fantastic blend of length and athleticism. Rice has been a dominant slot receiver in the past for SMU but as his role has expanded this year, he looks to continue to build up quite the resume’.
Penn State vs Auburn
Time: 10:15PM EST | Location: Auburn, AL | TV Station: CBS
Prospect To Watch: Colby Wooden | AUB | DL | #25
Auburn’s EDGE room is almost an embarrassment of riches for a team that struggles at most other positions. Colby Wooden may be the key cog to that unit - even if Derrick Hall and Andrew Leota produce more on the box score - thanks to his raw power and explosiveness. He has a 275lb frame and he utilizes every bit of power in with his hands and ability to drive through his legs but he’s not just a run stuffer. He isn’t the bendiest pass rusher but he has a deep pass rush repertoire and multiple ways to soften the corner to close distance. Expect Auburn to turn up for this game and if they want to win, Wooden and company will have to be the catalyst.