2016 College Football Week 9 Live Thread, Streaming, TV Info

This is going to be a fun week, a “Prove It” week for the college football landscape. Of the seven undefeated teams in the top 10, six are on the road today. The only one who’s not? #1 Alabama who has a bye week.

Here are the undefeated teams who have to show out on the road and the NFL prospects in play:

#2 Michigan (7-0): at Michigan St. (2-5) - 12:00pm, ESPN

The legitimate portion of Michigan’s schedule was supposed to begin today with a road challenge against the rival Spartans. Last year, this matchup ended with one of the all-time jaw-dropping endings. This year, the matchup is soured due to Michigan State’s worst start since...well, it’s been a long, long, long, long time since things started out this badly in East Lansing. Still, it’s a huge rivalry that kicks off the core portion of Michigan’s schedule with an obvious eye toward a season-ending November 26 game against Ohio St.

Key prospects (as in those who have a shot at Day 2) on Michigan (my estimated round/stock):

• S Jabrill Peppers (1st round)
• DT Chris Wormly (1st-2nd)
• TE Jake Butt (2nd)
• CB Jourdan Lewis (2nd-3rd)
• DE Taco Charlton (2nd-4th)
• C Mason Cole (3rd)
• WR Amara Darboh (3rd-5th)
• WR Jehu Chesson (3rd-5th)
• DT Ryan Glasgow (3rd-5th)
• CB Channing Stribling (3rd-6th)
• G Kyle Kalis (3rd-5th)

That’s a ton of talent. There’s plenty more who could factor on Day 3 like senior RB De’Veon Smith and ILB Ben Gedeon.

Get a whiff of Michigan’s interior O-line going against MSU DT Malik McDowell, a legit first-round prospect. That could be a talent mine for the Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft, especially if Cole holds his stock through the season and pre-draft process.

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#3 Clemson (7-0): at #12 Florida St. (5-2) - 8:00pm ET, ABC

This one’s huge for the playoff landscape. Huge for the draft landscape too.

Clemson’s stacked:

• QB DeShaun Watson (1st)
• WR Mike Williams (1st)
• CB Cordrea Tankersley (1st-2nd)
• RB Wayne Gallman (2nd-3rd)
• TE Jordan Leggett (2nd-3rd)
• DT Carlos Williams (3rd-4th)
• WR Artavis Scott (3rd-4th)
• G Tyrone Crowder (3rd-5th)

I know we’re only looking at the top teams here, but it’s worth pointing out FSU in this one as they’re unusually pro-stacked as the lower-ranked opponent:

• RB Dalvin Cook (1st-2nd)
• OT Roderick Johnson (1st-2nd)
• WR Travis Rudolph (2nd-3rd)
• DE DeMarcus Walker (2nd-3rd)
• CB Marquez White (2nd-4th)

This is one of those games we have to acknowledge in February. You’re gonna want to keep this tape.

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#4 Washington (7-0): at #17 Utah (7-1) - 3:30pm ET, FS1

Washington’s stock is on the rise all over the place. This is the last tanked opponent on their schedule, so if they get past today, it could be downhill to the conference championship...and maybe the playoffs with Utah the class of Pac-12 South as of today.

Here’s the Huskies top prospects, nearly all on the rise:

• WR John Ross (1st)
• CB Sidney Jones (1st-2nd)
• S Budda Baker (1st-3rd)
• DT Vita Vea (2nd)
• DT Elijah Qualls (2nd-4th)
• ILB Azeem Victor (3rd-5th)

Ross has an injury flag, so he might be someone to keep tabs on that could fall to the second round for Rams fans hopeful to upgrade WR.

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#7 Nebraska (7-0): at #11 Wisconsin (5-2) - 7:00pm ET, ESPN

This is a huge “prove-it” game.

Nebraska’s built without any immediate NFL Draft talent, though you could say nearly the same for Wisconsin.

If the Cornhuskers can get through today...they get to travel to Ohio State. Lucky them. That’s a hell of a two-game road swing.

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#8 Baylor (6-0): at Texas (3-4) - 3:30pm ET, ABC

Well, this one’s certainly interesting.

Baylor’s playing for an unlikely playoff berth (which would require them to run the table and then get by the other Power 5 conference champions who actually play a championship game). Texas is playing for...figuring out when to fire Head Coach Charlie Strong.

Winning for Baylor is crucial right now with their recruiting efforts overwhelmingly stymied by the uncertainty surrounding their head coach position following a horrible sexual assault coverup scandal over the last year.

The shadow of the Longhorns is cast long beyond Austin, but if Baylor can win this one...

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#10 West Virginia (6-0): at Oklahoma St. (5-2) - 12:00pm ET, FOX

West Virginia? WEST VIRGINIA?!

Fine. Hell, let’s just enjoy this for as long as it lasts. They’ve got a rough December, but they’re a fun watch. And for the first time under Head Coach Dana Holgorsen, they’re a fun watch with the complement of a decent defense.

The only major prospect for the Mountaineers is C Tyler Orlosky, so Rams fans could eye him early today.

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Here’s the watchability table from our friends at SBN CFB: