10 Players Guaranteed to Light Up the Stat Sheet in Week 8
With favorable matchups on tap for Week 8, there are several players around the nation just waiting to explode.
Both through the air and on the ground, opposing defenses will have difficulty catching their breaths. Mismatches, nationally televised broadcasts and quarterback duels will highlight this weekend’s affairs.
Whether it’s for team or personal gains, expect to see some players go above and beyond on the field.
Here are 10 players who should be racking up the yards and touchdowns on Saturday.
Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State
1 of 10
Season Stats: 67.1 CMP%, 2,511 YDs, 25 TDs, 3 INTs, 166.6 QBR
Week 6 Matchup: at California (1-5), Oct. 19, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
There isn't a better passer in the nation than quarterback Sean Mannion.
Through six games, the junior leads the nation in total yards, yards per game (418.5) and touchdowns. Not to mention, he averages a ridiculous 4.2 touchdowns per contest.
Backed by Mannion’s arm, the Beavers boast the nation’s No. 1-ranked passing attack while averaging 43.3 points per game.
On the other hand, there isn't a worse pass defense than what the Bears possess.
The unit ranks No. 122 against the pass, conceding 321.8 yards per game and 14 touchdowns through the air. Cal also allows opposing quarterbacks a QB rating of 149.96.
Furthermore, Oregon State has scored more than 30 points in each of its six contests this year. The Bears give up 43.7 points per game, allowing more than 30 points in each of their six contests this season.
I would bet my house that Mannion and the Beavers have a field day this weekend.
Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
2 of 10
Season Stats: 92 CAR, 515 YDs, 7 TDs
Week 6 Matchup: at No. 7 Texas A&M (5-1), Oct. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
Over the last three games, the Tigers have averaged a whopping 335.3 yards per game on the ground. That includes performances of 213, 285 and 511 yards.
Running back Tre Mason is a large catalyst for all that.
After a slow start, the junior has racked up 309 yards and five touchdowns on 53 carries during the past three contests. Most recently, he rushed for 100 yards and two scores on just six carries in Auburn’s 62-3 win over Western Carolina last weekend.
Against the Aggies, the team will need to rely on the ground game if it has any shot of pulling off the upset. Especially as quarterback Nick Marshall recovers from a knee injury.
Luckily, Texas A&M is known for having one of the worst defenses in the nation.
Through six games, the unit ranks No. 113 in total defense and No. 104 against the run. Furthermore, the Aggies have conceded a generous 5.75 yards per carry to opposing running backs.
While it may not be easy to slow down Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M offense, Mason and the rest of the Tigers’ No. 7-ranked rushing attack should have no problem piling up the stats.
Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
3 of 10
Season Stats: 159 CAR, 899 YDs, 9 TDs, 14 REC, 134 YDs, 1 TD
Week 6 Matchup: at Arizona State (4-2), Oct. 19, 6 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
After back-to-back phenomenal performances against then-No. 5 Stanford and No. 2 Oregon, Bishop Sankey has made one thing clear: He’s arguably the best running back in the entire nation.
Over those two games, the junior rushed for a total of 292 yards and four touchdowns on 55 carries. That’s an impressive average of 146 yards and two scores a game against two of the better defenses in all of college football.
Entering this week, Sankey is tops in the country in yards and yards per game (149.8). His nine total touchdowns are also good enough to be tied for third.
Things should be a heck of a lot easier against the Sun Devils.
If Sankey could dominate two defenses that conceded a total of just five touchdowns on the ground before playing him, he should have no trouble against a Arizona State run defense that ranks No. 76 while allowing 10 rushing touchdowns.
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Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
4 of 10
Season Stats: 69.9 CMP%, 1,680 YDs, 13 TDs, 1 INT, 231.0 QBR, 23 CAR, 45 YDs, 4 TDs
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Iowa State (1-4), Oct. 19, 7 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
After racking up 70 points like it’s nothing, the Bears had their first scare of the season against Kansas State last weekend, escaping 35-25.
If it wasn’t for the strong play of quarterback Bryce Petty—332 YDs, 4 TOT TDs, 237.1 QBR—Baylor may not have been as fortunate.
Now, the team heads back home to face a weak Cyclones squad boasting the same defense that allowed Texas Tech freshman quarterback Davis Webb to throw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start.
On the season, Iowa State ranks No. 101 in total defense and allows 29.8 points per game. The team also ranks No. 100 against the pass and have conceded 10 scores through the air.
The Bears received their first wake-up call of the year last weekend. On Saturday, expect Petty to have the team dropping points like it’s nothing again.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
5 of 10
Season Stats: 84 CAR, 572 YDs, 4 TDs
Week 6 Matchup: at North Carolina (1-4), Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
Running back Duke Johnson opened 2013 with an impressive performance against Florida Atlantic, racking up 186 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He followed that up by rushing for a TD in each of his next three games.
However, Johnson never topped 100 yards in any of those games.
Last weekend, the sophomore righted the ship a bit, rushing for 184 yards and 22 carries in a 45-30 win over Georgia Tech. Unfortunately, he was held without a touchdown for the first time this season.
Against a Tar Heels squad that has allowed four opponents to top 100 yards and ranks No. 101 against the rush, expect Johnson to put it all together on the ground and the scoreboard.
Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
6 of 10
Season Stats: 68.1 CMP%, 1,469 YDs, 12 TDs, 4 INTs, 165.0 QBR, 61 CAR, 260 YDs, 3 TDs
Week 6 Matchup: at No. 13 Stanford (5-1), Oct. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
The Bruins are 5-0 for the first time since 2005 and have quietly crept inside the Top 10.
With quarterback Brett Hundley under center, the team should have no trouble keeping that momentum up.
The sophomore is coming off his most impressive start of the season in UCLA’s 37-10 win over Cal last weekend. He went 31-of-41 through the air for 410 yards and three touchdowns.
Next up, Hundley faces a Cardinal defense that has been exposed as of late.
Over the last two weekends, the team has allowed an average of 449.5 yards per game. That includes a close win over Washington (31-28) and a surprising loss to unranked Utah (27-21).
On the year, Stanford ranks No. 93 in pass defense while conceding a total of 11 touchdowns through the air.
Don’t expect things to get better anytime soon with Hundley and the Bruins bringing in the nation’s No. 5-ranked total offense.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
7 of 10
Season Stats: 71.0 CMP%, 1,872 YDs, 18 TDs, 2 INT, 191.8 QBR
Week 6 Matchup: vs. UCF (4-1), Oct. 18, 8 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is trying to make amends this Friday.
Sure, the junior is coming off helping the Cardinals to a difficult 24-10 victory over Rutgers last Thursday. However, in front of a national audience, he didn’t do much to help the team’s BCS title chances or his Heisman stock.
On the night, Bridgewater threw for 310 yards and a pair of touchdowns while turning the ball over twice.
Luckily, he and Louisville will once again have the nation’s attention as the only FBS game on tap for Friday.
The Knights will provide Bridgewater with his toughest test yet. The team boasts a win over Penn State and suffered its only loss to South Carolina by a mere three points. Not to mention, UCF has only conceded 16.6 points per game and two passing touchdowns all season.
It all adds up to provide the perfect opportunity for Bridgewater to display why he’s expected to be a top-five selection in next year’s NFL draft. One that the he will most certainly make the most of.
More importantly, the Cardinals BCS title hopes will also be on the line.
Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
8 of 10
Season Stats: 66.7 CMP%, 1,890 YDs, 15 TD, 2 INT, 184.1 QBR
Week 6 Matchup: at Ole Miss (3-3), Oct. 19, 7 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
For once, quarterback Zach Mettenberger looked human last weekend, going 9-of-17 for 152 yards and no touchdowns against a stout Florida defense. It was the first time in 2013 he was held to under 220 yards.
Now, he plays a Rebels defense that is a lot worse than the numbers might show.
Sure, the team ranks in the top 50 in pass defense. However, Ole Miss has only played one pass offense that ranked No. 35 or better.
That offense—Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M—torched the Rebels for 346 yards.
Backed by a solid run game, expect Mettenberger to take advantage of Ole Miss’ flaws and help the Tigers claw back up to their season average of 41.4 points per game.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
9 of 10
Season Stats: 73.2 CMP%, 1,441 YDs, 17 TDs, 2 INTs, 213.9 QBR
Week 6 Matchup: at No. 3 Clemson (6-0), Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
Jameis Winston is coming off a bye week heading into the biggest test of his young career.
Previously, the redshirt freshman looked dominant in the Seminoles impressive 63-0 win over then-No. 25 Maryland. He recorded his best performance of the season, throwing for 393 yards and five touchdowns on 23-of-32 passing.
Not only that, but Winston also has firmly placed himself in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
Now he travels to Death Valley to take on the Tigers in a game that could either make or break his campaign.
Sure, Clemson comes in with a pass defense ranked in the top 20. However, the unit still allows 6.6 yards per attempt and 11.9 yards per completion.
Not to mention, against the only top offense the Tigers faced, they conceded 35 points.
Expect nothing less than for Winston to surpass the latest challenge put in front of him.
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
10 of 10
Season Stats: 66.5 CMP%, 1,783 YDs, 15 TDs, 2 INTs, 172.0 QBR, 66 CAR, 187 YDs, 5 TDs
Week 6 Matchup: vs. No. 5 Florida State (5-0), Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET
The Lowdown
So far this season, quarterback Tajh Boyd has hurdled every obstacle that has stood in his way. So it comes as no surprise that the Tigers are streaking at 6-0, averaging a little over 40 points per game.
That will be tough to do against a Seminoles defense that comes in allowing just 12.0 points per game.
However, if Boyd has made one thing clear over his career, it’s that he shows up for the big game.
During the opening-week showdown with then-No. 5 Georgia, the senior was dominant in leading Clemson to a 38-35 victory. He threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 42 yards and two scores on the ground.
Backed by a rowdy home crowd, look for Boyd to further strengthen his Heisman case and give the Tigers a solid shot at getting by Florida State.
All stats and rankings used in this article are courtesy of NCAA.com.
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