🏈 🔵 Alabama & Georgia Collide, Penn State’s X-Factor Against Illinois, & Upset Potential At Auburn Highlight Week Five
The Crimson Tide are home underdogs for the first time since 2007 this weekend. Let's preview that and more heading into week five!
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My College Football Stock Report
Trending Upwards 📈
Kyle Monangai
Running Back, Rutgers
The Big Ten’s second-leading rusher in just three games played doesn’t hail from Ohio State, Michigan, or Penn State.
Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai has propelled Greg Schiano’s ground-and-pound offense to a quick start, with Washington looming for a Friday night home bout.
Monangai went for 84 yards and one score on 26 carries in a program-building 26-23 road win at Virginia Tech last weekend.
On the campaign, the veteran rusher has amassed 457 rushing yards, averaging 152 yards per matchup, with five touchdowns to jumpstart his senior season.
Tyler Warren
Tight End, Penn State
According to James Franklin, the “best tight end in college football” resides in Happy Valley.
As a former Penn State tight end myself, he’s right.
Fifth-year staple Tyler Warren currently leads the Nittany Lions’ in receiving production as a do-it-all offensive commodity, while also sitting atop the Big Ten in receiving yards by a tight end.
In week two against Bowling Green, Warren broke the Penn State school record for receiving production by a tight end with 146 yards on eight catches.
Following a bye week, Warren carried his momentum into the Kent State contest, totaling 83 all-purpose yards, highlighted by a 16-yard wildcat carry and a 17-yard touchdown pass.
Tyler Shough
Quarterback, Louisville
Last year, Louisville defended its home turf against Notre Dame, knocking off the No. 10 Fighting Irish 33-20 in a dominant showing.
If the Cardinals are primed to put on a repeat showing this weekend against Marcus Freeman’s bunch, expect Tyler Shough’s arm to be the difference.
The former Oregon and Texas Tech gunslinger ranks fifth in the ACC in completion percentage with at least 50 attempts, completing nearly 69% of his throws.
Moreover, the seasoned signal caller isn’t afraid to take shots down the field.
Shough is averaging 11.2 yards per completion, which is second among all ACC quarterbacks, trailing only Miami’s Cam Ward.
Shough’s arm is the secret to success on the road in South Bend on Saturday.
Trending Downwards 📉
Missouri’s Defense
After surrendering zero points through the first two weeks, a concerning tide has turned for Eli Drinkwitz’s defense.
The Tigers allowed 21 points in a six-point victory over Boston College, but recently, gave up 27 in a double-overtime rock fight with Vanderbilt.
Missouri needed a missed field goal by the Commodores to escape at home courtesy of an uninspiring performance from the backend.
Drinkwitz’s secondary allowed 12.7 yards per catch to quarterback Diego Pavia’s attack, including a 65-yard touchdown connect to Joseph McVay.
Northern Illinois’ Magical Run
Well, that was fun.
After relishing in a March Madness-like upset for two weeks after the Huskies stunned No. 5 Notre Dame in enemy territory, the glass slipper was shattered by Buffalo just six days ago.
Former No. 23 Northern Illinois is ranked no longer, falling 23-20 to the Bulls to begin conference play.
Buffalo picked up only nine first downs and went 2-for-15 on third down, but two costly turnovers by the Huskies helped send the bout into overtime.
Northern Illinois took control of possession first, but a missed field goal after a three-and-out effectively ended the squad’s potential College Football Playoff hopes on the coattails of their historic underdog victory in South Bend.
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Best Position Battle Of The Weekend
Georgia’s Defensive Line vs. Alabama’s Offensive Line 💪
For the first time since 2007, the Crimson Tide are entering a matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium as home underdogs.
If Georgia staves off the upset to Kalen DeBoer’s bunch, its defense line will serve as the catalyst for the top five road triumph.
Kirby Smart is “hopeful” star defensive end Mykel Williams will be ready to go after beginning the season banged up following a second-team All-SEC nod a year ago.
Williams’ 9-career sacks, coupled with the return of Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall should give Georgia the nod over Alabama’s opposing offensive line.
For the Bulldogs to stifle Alabama, Smart’s front four must generate consistent pressure on Jalen Milroe – one of college football’s most improved drop back passers.
Hot Prediction Heading Into Week Five 🔥
Auburn Upsets Oklahoma At Jordan-Hare Stadium 🤯
It wouldn’t be a proper “SEC welcome” to Oklahoma without introducing the opposition to the true meaning of “Jordan-Hare Voodoo.”
The No. 21 Sooners posted just 222 yards, accumulated three turnovers, and garnered just 5.5 yards per completion against No. 6 Tennessee in the program’s SEC debut a week ago.
Moving forward, Brent Venables has elected to move forward with freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback, giving the Sooners a more versatile, dual threat look under center.
In his first start on the road at Auburn, Hawkins will be under some serious duress, as his top five wide receivers are all doubtful to play with lingering injuries.
Over the course of two losses against Cal and Arkansas, Auburn’s attack has averaged just 14 points per game, largely due to a quarterback controversy of its own.
Slot weapon and Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith has quietly put together a 12-reception, 338-yard early run to the season, highlighted by five touchdown snags.
I expect the Tigers to pull off the upset in a low-scoring affair, with an explosive play by Hugh Freeze’s bunch proving to be the difference late.
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Shoutout to Connor Krause for helping to write this newsletter and putting it together!
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