:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21391485/184237205.0.jpg)
Well, there's plenty to get into today well ahead of the marquee matchup this evening.
Here are your notes for the day from Mocking the Draft.
#11 South Carolina at Tennessee (12:00 p.m., ESPN)
South Carolina's D-line against Tennessee's O-line. That's reason enough.
Backup: #22 Florida at #14 Missouri (12:21 p.m., SEC Network/ESPN3)
The only game between two ranked doesn't get a dedicated affiliate...ok. Here in D.C., it's on the CW affiliate. Hell, that in and of itself is just disrespectful. Without QB James Franklin, Mizzou has a challenge this week...and with South Carolina up next week, the Tigers have a hell of time trying to maintain that undefeated record.
#9 UCLA at #13 Stanford (3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2 - coverage map)
Utah's upset over the Cardinal last weekend took some of the glamour out of this one, but it's still tier one scouting.
Backup: #24 Auburn at #7 Texas A&M (3:30 p.m., CBS)
A&M is quickly looking like the team that proves that if you're going to lose a game and try to stay in the national championship discussion, you have to lose early. Then again, the Aggies have LSU and Missouri as their last two regular season games. Run, Johnny Football, run.
#5 Florida St. at #3 Clemson (8:00 p.m., ABC)
This has everything. Top 2014 NFL Draft talent? Yup. Future top talent? Yup. Offense + defense? Yup + yup. Coaching goofiness? Oh dear sweet football god yup. ESPN-ready storyline? GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH IT'S LOUD WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS STOPSTOPSTOP. Gameday? Thankfully.
Last year's game saw #10 Clemson travel to Tallahassee to take on then #4 Florida St. Behind E.J. Manuel's 2nd half output, the Seminoles put up 35 in the final half to win 49-37. The rematch has been simmering for some time. Glad that today we get to eat.
Backup: #5 Florida St. at #3 Clemson (8:00 p.m., ABC)
Wait, did you read that? No backup. Stay focused.