The wait is almost over. You can come out of your hibernation now. College football is back. Even though your allegiances may lie with your alma mater, that doesn’t mean their game is the only one worth watching. Broaden your horizons!

What I have found is that I can make even a non-marquee matchup worthwhile by keying in on the guys who could be playing on Sundays in the near future. Here are the nationally televised games that I’ll be watching this weekend, along with which players to watch out for. Also, I’m a nice guy, so no need to grab those media guides; I have their jersey numbers listed right here for you in parentheses.

(Note: Players in bold are also in my 2012 NFL Draft Extravaganza)

Thursday, September 1st at 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)

UNLV Rebels @ (11) Wisconsin Badgers

Keep Reading…

With Stanford scratched off of the to-do list, I’ll turn my attention to the Oregon Ducks.

The 2010 PAC-10 Championships and National Championship runner-ups will have their sights set on another regular undefeated season. Unfortunately, a depleted defense and an offensive line that lacks experience could keep them from running away with a PAC-12 title in 2011. If anything, Stanford will have something to say about their candidacy as shoe-ins to win the conference.

Despite their deficiencies, they still have running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas in their arsenal and should be able to utilize both to their full potential.

Overall, there’s still plenty of electricity left in this team’s roster. Their quack might not have the same luster that it did in 2010, but it will still be hard for any PAC-12 foe to ruffle their feathers if they stay healthy and play with Keep Reading…

It’s not very often that we see a girl trot onto the football field, especially at the college level. Regardless of its rarity, the Virginia Tech Hokies might get the opportunity to see that exact sight every day during practice next year.

After an apparently impressive tryout, freshman Lauren Luttrell earned an invite to the Hokies’ 2012 spring practice from head coach Frank Beamer. Although that’s no guarantee that she’ll see the field or even make the team, it’s a big win for those token female footballers out there.

“Right now it’s kind of tough to come out there and get a lot of attention,” said Beamer. “Things are happening so fast right now. But I was impressed with her and we’ll bring her back out in the spring.”

During her senior year at Spotsylvania High, Luttrell connected on 10 extra points and a 31-yard field goal. Keep Reading…

Play by play breakdown and analysis of Blaine Gabbert’s third game in a Jaguars uniform. Be sure to check out the breakdowns of Game One and Game Two as well.

The personnel numbering refers to how many tight ends and runningbacks are on the field. The first number corresponds with how many runningbacks are in the package, the second number refers to how many tight ends are in the package.

First Drive

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR7Zy197Wtc 

1.

- 11 personnel, (2×2)

- Bills in Cover 1/Man Free pre-snap. Safeties at staggered depth. LCB and Nickel playing press-man, RCB playing off-man.

- 7 step drop. Gets good depth on first five steps, gathers himself with the last two.

- Feels pressure and tries to step up instead of bailing out laterally. LDE reacts by spinning inside. RT doesn’t power step to seal it Keep Reading…

After unveiling his Top 50 Big Board and offensive rankings, Ryan stacks up the top draft-eligible defensive prospects.

Love, hate, or feel ambivalent about Ryan’s rankings? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below and over at the Draft Breakdown message board.

Defensive Ends

#

Name

School

Class

Notes

1

Donte Paige-Moss

North Carolina

Jr.

OLB

2

Quinton Coples

North Carolina

Sr.

3

Brandon Jenkins

Florida State

Jr.

OLB

4

Devin Taylor

South Carolina

Jr.

5

Brandon Lindsey

Pittsburgh

Sr.

OLB

6

Billy Winn

Boise State

Sr.

7

Andre Branch

Clemson

Sr.

8

Jake Bequette

Arkansas

Sr.

9

Vinny Keep Reading…