2023 NFL Draft Preview – DraftID Podcast
Tide Turns the Corner, Extends Iron Bowl Streak
The #7 Crimson Tide took care of in-state rival Auburn, but the 5-7 Tigers held their own for most of the game. In a high scoring match, the Tide recovered a controversial fumble with two minutes before the half, which led to another Alabama TD which extended the lead to 21 and effectively took Auburn out of the game. The Tigers fought hard, but were unable to ever narrow the score to a single possession. QB Bryce Young had another statement game to add to his career, this time throwing for 3 TDs and running for another, all in the first half of the game. Edge Will Anderson also played great in presumably his last Iron Bowl and accounted for 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. Alabama now extends their Iron Bowl streak to three straight, which ties their longest streak since 1981.
McCarthy’s Michigan Takes Care of Business
In a bitter rivalry match against two undefeated teams with major CFP implications on the line, it was the Michigan QB who shook the world. QB J.J. McCarthy has looked very solid at times this year, but had the best game of his young career on Saturday as he threw for 3 TDs and ran for another. Injured RB Blake Corum had just 2 carries this game, so McCathy’s impact along with RB Donovan Edwards was enough to make Michigan look like a true contender. WR Cornelius Johnson put on a show when it mattered most and looked like a big play threat that could have elevated his stock into getting a late Senior Bowl invite. On the Ohio State side, both sophomore receivers (Egbuka and Harrison Jr.) had huge games, but it was their defense that kept them from winning this game.
Horned Frogs Dominate; Earn Big12 Champ Bid
QB Max Duggan stays hot to win another and extend their record to a perfect regular season 12-0. RB Kendre Miller bounced back from a hand injury and was able to rattle off 72 yards and 2 TDs. The TCU defense was the story of the day, as a pair of pick sixes have this team looking like a well earned playoff bid is due. TCU faces #12 Kansas State next week in the Big12 Championship with a trip to the CFP on the line.
Heisman has been Crowned?
QB Caleb Williams seems to be running away with the Heisman, as the Trojan’s signal caller was a terror on the ground against Notre Dame. Williams completed 18 out of his 22 pass attempts for 232 yards and 1 TD, but had several huge highlight runs with three of them finding the end zone. With down weeks from CJ Stroud, Blake Corum and Bo Nix, it seems that Caleb Williams may have already won the trophy. The USC Trojans booked their ticket to the PAC12 Championship against Utah on Saturday, with a potential trip to the CFP on the line.
Rattler Stays Hot…Elevates Stock?
The Spencer Rattler we saw against Tennessee was an enigma…but you can’t knock this guy for another big win over #9 Clemson. However, Rattler was far from perfect this week despite the second consecutive upset victory. At the end of the day, Rattler has always had the tools and we did see him produce at a high level when he threw for 28 TDs in 2020 before losing his job to the guy who turned into the best QB in college football. For Rattler, it has always been the intangibles that he has lacked and unfortunately I don’t think that a couple of upset wins really change anything in that department. Rattler sits at a mid to late round flier for me and not a prospect worthy of a top 100 grade.
MPJ Almost Hits the Half Century Mark
QB Michael Penix Jr. led the Washington Huskies to a 51-33 victory over Washington State in this year’s Apple Cup. The Super Senior had a huge game, as he passed for 485 yards and 3 TDs and ran for pair of TDs as well. WR Rome Odunze led the Huskies in receiving, as he hauled in 5 receptions for 157 yards and 1 TD. Penix Jr. and Odunze have been two of my favorite prospects to watch this season and both are players who could turn into Day 2 picks.
My CFP Rankings Ahead of Tuesday:
1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. TCU
4. USC
5. Ohio State
6. Alabama
I think 1 through 4 are easy picks, but things get interesting at 5 and 6. Both Alabama and Ohio State sit on the outside looking in, both helplessly watching during Championship Weekend. An argument could be made that Alabama’s two losses by a field goal or less could rank better than the Ohio State beatdown against Michigan, but Alabama also doesn’t have any big victories this year…with their biggest coming against Texas (without Ewers) and Ole Miss.
My Heisman Rankings:
1. Caleb Williams
2. C.J. Stroud
3. Blake Corum
4. Max Duggan
5. Michael Penix Jr.
Best of the Rest
Texas Tech Edge Tyree Wilson officially has declared for the NFL Draft and should be a 1st round pick. UAB RB DeWayne McBride had another huge day rushing for 272 yards on just 16 carries…the junior RB would be an interesting draft prospect if he declares. Texas A&M utility back Devon Achane showed off his ability to carry a full workload, as he took 38 carries for 215 yards and 2 TDs in their upset victory over the LSU Tigers. Achane has been a big time player since he joined the Aggies and could be an enticing day 2 prospect. Nebraska WR Trey Palmer continues to be a draft riser and pulled in 9 receptions for 165 yards and 2 TDs.
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