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Melt this week down, add some cayenne, and pipe it directly into my bloodstream.
There’s a ton worth watching for Los Angeles Rams fans.
Don’t have an early option? Mocking the Draft’s Dan Kadar had the Rams taking Auburn DT Derrick Brown in his most recent mock (and I am way behind on mock coverage, so expect that to ramp up this week); he and the rest of the Tigers will go up against the #20 Texas A&M Aggies on ESPN to kick things off after GameDay as Auburn looks to keep a disappointing season from turning disastrous.
Midday? #13 West Virginia Mountaineers OT Yodny Cajuste is my favorite prospect as a potential replacement for Rams LT Andrew Whitworth as of now. Going up against the #17 Texas Longhorns is a fine battle to keep in the pocket for draft season. And if you’re looking for EDGE talent, Florida State Seminoles EDGE Brian Burns might be the right fit as they go against the #21 North Carolina St. Wolfpack. Of course, you can’t go wrong with #6 Georgia Bulldogs travelling to #9 Kentucky Wildcats or #14 Penn State Nittany Lions at #5 Michigan Wolverines.
But there’s a marquee game today both for college football itself and in terms of the NFL.
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #3 LSU Tigers
8pm ET, CBS
Alabama has won the last seven of these contests which perhaps is more a data point relevant to LSU’s performance over the last five years and less so for Bama much the same way that Bama’s three wins in the preceding 12 contests was less about LSU and more about Bama.
These are two of the most historic programs in college football.
So it’s no surprise they’re absolutely stacked with draft talent.
LSU LB Devin White
The perfect prospect for the Rams’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft? Perhaps. But the interesting thing here? White will miss the first half as the required suspension following a weak targeting call from LSU’s last game against Mississippi St. that was so dubious even Alabama LB Mack Wilson said it wasn’t targeting.
Speaking of...
Alabama LB Mack Wilson
If White is the more versatile linebacker who can play multiple roles, Wilson is probably the best pure inside linebacker in this game (though of course both teams recruit so well on defense that there are freshmen who could vie for this when they mature in two years).
Could I just run through the linebackers for Rams fans? Maybe. Should I? Probably.
But there’s so much more.
LSU CB Andraez “Greedy” Williams
He’s very good.
Alabama LT Jonah Williams
He’s very good.
LSU S Grant Delpit
He’s very good.
Alabama S Deionte Thompson
He’s very good.
I could keep going.
Both sides are stacked with talent that’s ready for the draft though I should note Delpit is a true sophomore and isn’t draft-eligible.
But there’s also Bama QB Tua Tagovailoa and LSU WR Justin Jefferson and Bama DT Quinnen Williams and LSU C Lloyd Cushenberry and Bama (um...) DEF Anfernee Jennings and on and on and on.
Not every player from these two programs turn into LT Andrew Whitworth or ILB Mark Barron or DT Michael Brockers.
But my lord, a hell of a lot do.
Just watch this game. For your own good.
Here’s your watch guide with full schedule, TV listing and stream options.