College Open Thread - Oct. 20, Early Games

The college world has an interesting schedule today that you could argue has more impact on the postseason schedule than the draft. The ancillary effect then is that the postseason, where some of the most crucial scouting takes place, is being shaped today.

The questions are the answers are the questions, friend. Welcome to the college game. (And clear your schedule next week. World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, Tennesee-South Carolina, Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Bama-Mississippi St...yipyipyipyippee)

Here's your gameday notes from the new Mocking the Draft or whatever we're calling it.

#6 LSU at #18 Texas A&M (12 p.m., ESPN)

So you have one of the best defenses in the country with a top tier draw coach going against an undervalued A&M team with who could be the most famous college player a year from now, Johnny Football. And you put this at noon.

ESPN, I understand that you don't like the SEC. But you're trying really hard to make sure they don't like you.

In any case, this is one of the best NFL Draft games of the year, though it didn't crack Bruce Feldman's top 10 remaining games (for good reason). You've got two potential first round offensive tackles going up against two potential first round DEs/3-4OLBs. It's NFL Draft eyesex. And yes, for those of you yet to see Texas A&M freshman QB Johnny Manziel, aka Johnny Football, well, I'm sorry. You've missed some fleet feet. In his last five games? 14 touchdowns, three picks. Oh, I'm sorry. That's just passing. Throw that running game in there, and it's 23 TDs to 3 picks...........ALL HAIL JOHNNY FOOTBALL.

While much of the draft focus will be Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews working the offensive line edges against Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo, this is a great contest to watch LSU FS Eric Reid. Between Manziel's running ability and WR Ryan Swope, Reid has a tough game in front of him.

#7 South Carolina at #2 Florida (3:30 p.m., CBS)

#17 Texas Tech at #23 TCU (3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2 - coverage map)

You've got a prospect at nearly every position of interest for Rams fans between these two:

C - T.J. Johnson (South Carolina), Jonotthan Harrison (Florida)

G - Blaize Foltz (TCU), Jon Halapio (Florida)

OT - Xavier Nixon (Florida), LaAdrian Waddle (Texas Tech)

TE - Jordan Reed (Florida)

WR - Josh Boyce (TCU), Ace Sanders (S. Carolina - gamebreaker/athlete type, if you want a true return guy for the Rams...)

DT - Sharrif Floyd (Florida)

OLB - Jelani Jenkins (Florida), Jonotthan Harrison (South Carolina)

FS -D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina)

SS - Matt Elam (Florida), Cody Davis (Texas Tech)

So let's combine this into one and get all of our scouting in one place. Kind of like a scouting omelette. Needs cheese.