College Football Game Previews: Week 8

Penn State vs. Ohio State; Saturday, Oct. 21, 12:00 PM ET FOX

The Prospects:

Penn State

  • LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, No. 74
  • WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, No. 1
  • CB Kalen King, No. 4
  • DE Chop Robinson, No. 44
  • LB Curtis Jacobs, No. 23
  • S Jaylen Reed, No. 1
  • CB Johnny Dixon, No. 3

Ohio State

  • WR Marvin Harrison Jr., No. 18
  • WR Emeka Egbuka, No. 2
  • RB TreVeyon Henderson, No. 32
  • RB Miyan Williams, No. 3
  • DE J.T. Tuimoloau, No. 44
  • DE Jack Sawyer, No. 33
  • DT Michael Hall Jr., No. 51
  • LB Tommy Eichenberg, No. 35
  • CB Denzel Burke, No. 10
  • CB Jordan Hancock, No. 7
  • CB Cameron Martinez, No. 3
  • S Lathan Ransom, No. 8
  • S Josh Proctor, No. 41


The Matchups: There are a number of superb draft matchups in this game. Penn State cornerback Kalen King is in the running to be the top cornerback prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft, and he will be tested by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Both receivers could go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with Harrison looking like a top-five pick. If King covers them well, that would be huge for his draft grade. Elsewhere, Olu Fashanu could be a starting tackle in the NFL next year, and he see some quality defensive ends in Tuimoloau and Sawyer.

Alabama vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Oct. 21, 3:30 PM ET CBS

The Prospects:

Alabama

  • RT J.C. Latham, No. 65
  • LB Dallas Turner, No. 15
  • WR Jermaine Burton, No. 3
  • WR Ja’Corey Brooks, No. 7
  • C Seth McLaughlin, No. 56
  • RB Josh Williams, No. 27
  • QB Jalen Milroe, No. 4
  • RB Jase McClellan, No. 2
  • LB Chris Braswell, No. 41
  • CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, No. 1
  • CB Terrion Arnold, No. 3
  • S Malachi Moore, No. 13

Tennessee

  • WR Bru McCoy, No. 15
  • QB Joe Milton, No. 7
  • LB Jeremy Banks, No. 33
  • DE Tyler Baron, No. 9


The Matchups: Latham could be a first-round pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he will see a potential test from Baron. Joe Milton has some real arm talent, and he will be a challenge for the Alabama secondary. McKinstry and Arnold are early-round prospects who will be tested by Milton and a Tennessee offense that exploded on Alabama last year. Milton has issues throwing on the run, and he will see some dangerous edge rushers, led by future first-rounder Dallas Turner.

Duke vs. Florida State; Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:00 PM ET ABC

The Prospects:

Duke

  • QB Riley Leonard, No. 13
  • LT Graham Barton, No. 62

Florida State

  • DE Jared Verse, No. 5
  • QB Jordan Travis, No. 13
  • WR Johnny Wilson, No. 14
  • WR Keon Coleman, No. 4
  • S Akeem Dent, No. 1
  • DT Fabian Lovett, No. 00
  • RB Trey Benson, No. 3


The Matchups: There is a good draft matchup in this game with Verse taking on Barton. Barton and his quarterback have been banged up and missed time, but both are projected to be back versus the Seminoles. Coleman looks likely to be a first-round pick next April in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Utah vs. USC; Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:00 PM ET FOX

The Prospects:

Utah

  • WR Mycah Pittman, No. 5
  • QB Cameron Rising, No. 7
  • TE Brant Kuithe, No. 80
  • S Cole Bishop, No. 8
  • CB Zemaiah Vaughn, No. 5

USC

  • QB Caleb Williams, No. 13
  • LT Jonah Monheim, No. 79
  • S Calen Bullock, No. 7


The Matchups: The Utes typically feature one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, so they could be a challenge for Caleb Williams. Williams will see some future NFL defensive backs in Bishop and Vaughn. Williams is the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has dominated many opponents this season.