After a fairly quiet week 1 of college football, there is already a lot to look at and take away. What about Jalen Hurd? The Alabama outcast is now looking at being the third straight Oklahoma Heisman winner. 20/23, 332 yards, and 3 TDs to go along with 16 carries for 176 yards and another 3 scores on the ground, it is hard to imagine a better debut.
Leaving week 1 behind us now we are moving into some higher profile games in week 2. Mine and everyone else’s game of the week is #6 LSU vs #9 Texas. For obvious reasons, this game has the national spotlight on Saturday. The second game I want to look at is #25 Nebraska vs Colorado.
#6 LSU vs #9 Texas
LSU Receivers
LSU has a number of top-end devy prospects lined up at wideout. Between Terrace Marshall, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase it is hard to pick who to highlight. Marshall is the big guy of the group coming in at a towering 6’4″ tall. Many college defensive backs struggle against big receivers because their skill set is not yet prepared enough to make up for the height differential. What I want to see from Marshall is what he can do in terms of route running, this is the hardest thing long receivers have to learn in order to be successful at the next level. Ja’Marr Chase is probably the most NFL ready and thus is the best route runner of the group and will find plenty of space underneath in the quick game that LSU loves to use. However, right now the leading receiver on this team is neither of these guys and is actually a receiver by the name of Justin Jefferson. Jefferson has been at LSU for a few seasons and been fairly productive. The biggest thing he needs to prove is that he is athletic enough to beat players at the next level.
John Emery Jr.-LSU RB
True freshman running back John Emery is one of the highest-rated backs in the country. While he only had 6 carries for 20 yards week 1, I would expect Emery to play a larger role on this team against a much better Texas team. Emery will not be available to enter the NFL until the 2021 class but he has a legitimate chance to be the top-rated running back when that time comes. Emery is an elusive back with great hands as well making him a prototypical 3 down NFL back. Match that with his 5’11 muscular frame and he could one day terrorize defenses at the NFL level.
Sam Ehlinger-QB Texas
Ehlinger is working on bringing Texas back to being a national powerhouse. Now a Jr. Sam Ehlinger started off with a good week one appearance throwing for 276 yards and 4 TD against Louisiana Tech. This matchup against LSU will show if he can do it against some of the best defensive backs in the country, namely 6’3″ Grant Delpit. Ehlinger hasn’t proven himself to be on the NFL level quite yet, but I believe a strong 2019 season could put him on track to be a mid-round NFL quarterback. In order for this to happen though, Ehlinger will have to show he can throw the mid-deep ball accurately. One thing Ehlinger does have going for him is he is very athletic and can be a good mobile QB moving forward. If Ehlinger and the Texans can show that they can play against LSU, it may just cement themselves back as part of the NCAA elite.
#25 Nebraska vs Colorado
Adrian Martinez-QB Nebraska
After a disappointing week 1 appearance by not only Adrian Martinez, but the whole Nebraska offense, I am interested to see how this sophomore bounces back. Everyone in the country has had their hopes high and showed it by putting Martinez on many pre-season watch lists. In a game against South Alabama, Martinez looked indecisive and missed throws by a wide margin many of times. If it wasn’t for a couple of defensive scores Nebraska would be 0-1 right now. What I most want to see from Martinez and this team is how they will rise to adversity. Scott Frost has made it known that he expects a lot from this team and after 1 week, many of Nebraska fans are already in doubt.
Laviska Shenault
Okay, this one is one everyone knows. Shenault is arguably the 2nd best receiver in the country. Jeudy is just too good to put him in the number 1 talks, but Shenault has a very fun unique play style that has created quite the highlight reel. Shenault has shown he can do it all. He makes contested grabs, beats defenders off the line, runs hard breaking tackles, and has the size coming in at 6’2″ 220 lbs. What more can you ask for in a prospect? The two things that I want to see from Shenault in this game and as the season progresses is the ability to stay healthy and a more complex route tree. The route tree, unfortunately, is out of his hands but many analysts and scouts will be watching ever route this man runs this season to see what all he will be able to do next season. Just a reminder, Shenault had over 700 yards through 5 games last year before going out with an injury.
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