Early College Open Thread - Nov. 3

Well, it's an anticipation afternoon with the bigger games coming tonight. Still, there's plenty to see today.

If you're into individual prospect matchups, I put a watchlist together for your viewing pleasure. If you're into college for college's sake, you've got two games with two ranked teams in #16 Texas A&M at #15 Mississippi St. and #23 Texas at #18 Texas Tech. Let's grab one for the open thread and a second to complete the pair.

Here are your gameday notes from Mocking the Draft.

#15 Texas A&M at #16 Mississippi St. (12:00 p.m., ESPN)

This game does not need more cowbell. Really, this is all about A&M's offense against the MSU defense. Rams fans need another good look at A&M LT Luke Joeckel and RT Jake Matthews. And it's worth checking out Mississippi St. G Gabe Jackson. He could be in the mix on day two. Plus, if you don't enjoy watching Johnny Football...well, you're not going to enjoy college football for the next few years.

Pittsburgh at #3 Notre Dame (3:30 p.m., NBC)

Get used to Notre Dame, people. Their next recruiting class looks strong, and QB Everett Golson is just a sophomore/RS freshman. Sure, ILB Manti Te'o, FS Zeke Motta and C Braxton Cave are all seniors who will hear their name called at the 2013 NFL Draft. And I don't think anyone would be surprised if RS Jr. TE Tyler Eifert declared (who, BTW, I'm not nearly as high on as many others). Pitt's not a bad team all in all, they're just a mess of a program right now in year one under Paul Chryst. When you lose to Youngstown St. by two touchdowns and then beat Virginia Tech by 18 two weeks later, consistency is not to be found anywhere in your kitchen. So of course the three players charged with assaulting a man earlier this week will play, including RB Ray Graham and WR Devin Street.

So stick with us throughout the afternoon in anticipation of the most important night of the 2012 college football season thus far.