10 College Football Players Guaranteed to Light Up the Stat Sheet in Week 13
With multiple mismatches on tap for this weekend’s college football action, expect several players to put up attention-worthy performances in Week 13.
Heisman contenders will matchup against Division I pretenders. Some of the elite running backs in the nation will face defenses with more holes than Swiss cheese. Quarterbacks with the hot hand will go head-to-head with secondaries that are highly flammable.
All in all, expect a lot of yards and touchdowns from some of college football’s biggest performances.
Here are 10 in particular that will stand out this weekend.
QB Cody Kessler (USC)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 23 USC (8-3) at Colorado (4-6), Nov. 23, 9:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Network
The Skinny
Lost in the Trojans’ turnaround under interim head coach Ed Orgeron is the play of quarterback Cody Kessler.
After averaging 134.3 passing yards per game over the team’s first four games, the sophomore has thrown for over 230 yards in five of his last seven. On the season, he has racked up 2,265 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions on 64.7 percent passing.
Against Stanford, Kessler displayed poise and leadership under center, tossing for 288 yards on 25-of-37 passing while finding the end zone once to help USC upset the then-No. 4 Cardinal 20-17.
Against the Buffaloes, expect Kessler to keep it going.
Thus far, Colorado ranks No. 110 against the pass (267.5 YPG). The team has allowed 21 touchdowns through the air while conceding a generous 7.5 yards per attempt.
This could be the week Kessler has his first 300-yard, three-touchdown performance.
QB Taylor Kelly (Arizona State)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 17 Arizona State (8-2) at No. 14 UCLA (8-2), Nov. 23, 7 p.m. ET on Fox
The Skinny
Quarterback Taylor Kelly has helped the Sun Devils greatly exceed preseason expectations.
Through 10 games, the junior has thrown for 2,838 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 62.4 percent passing. He’s also added another 312 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Against the Bruins' secondary, Kelly should continue his success.
Thus far, the Bruins rank No. 53 against the pass (225.4 YPG). The UCLA defense has allowed 14 touchdowns through the air this season.
Just last weekend, the Bruins conceded over 140 yards of passing to not one, but two Washington quarterbacks. The two Husky signal-callers combined for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
Coming off a game where he was held without a passing touchdown for just the second time all year, expect Kelly to light up the scoreboard.
RB Jeremy Langford (Michigan State)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 13 Michigan State (9-1) at Northwestern (4-6), Nov. 23, 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Skinny
For much of the season, the defense carried the bulk of the load for the Spartans, but in recent weeks, running back Jeremy Langford has picked up some of the slack.
Through 10 games, the junior has rushed for 926 yards and 13 touchdowns on 199 carries. That includes topping the century mark in five consecutive games, racking up 615 yards and nine scores in that span.
Against the Wildcats, don’t expect Langford to slow down.
Thus far, Northwestern’s defense ranks No. 69 against the run (165.6 yards per game). Furthermore, the unit has allowed 12 touchdowns on the ground while conceding a little more than four yards per carry.
Did we mention that the Wildcats have lost six straight?
Langford should have no trouble going off.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
RB Mike Davis (South Carolina)
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Week 13 Matchup: Coastal Carolina (10-1) at No. 11 South Carolina (8-2), Nov. 23, 1 p.m. ET on GamePlan
The Skinny
Running back Mike Davis has been a tremendous asset to the South Carolina's success this season.
Through 10 games, the sophomore has rushed for 1,112 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries. He’s also caught 30 passes for 332 yards. Furthermore, James has topped the century mark in all but three games this season.
With an FCS opponent on deck, you can bet he’s licking his lips. Thus far, the Chanticleers rank No. 88 against the run (198.2 YPG). The team has allowed 18 touchdowns and allow a generous 4.63 yards per carry.
And that’s against FCS competition.
Now, just imagine how one of the better backs in the FBS will fare against this unit.
QB Bo Wallace (Ole Miss)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 8 Missouri (9-1) at No. 24 Ole Miss (7-3), Nov. 23, 7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Skinny
Quarterback Bo Wallace has the Rebels making a late-season surge.
Through 10 games, the junior has thrown for 2,664 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.7 percent passing. He’s added another 232 yards and four scores on the ground. Furthermore, Wallace has thrown for over 270 yards in five of Ole Miss’ last six games, something he only accomplished once in the team’s first four.
Against the Missouri secondary, expect Wallace to keep his hot hand going.
Thus far, the unit ranks No. 114 against the pass (274.9 YPG). Missouri has given up 14 touchdowns through the air this season.
If Wallace can be careful with his decision-making—the Tigers have intercepted 17 passes on the year—then he should have no trouble finding yards.
RB Ka'Deem Carey (Arizona)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 5 Oregon (9-1) at Arizona (6-4), Nov. 23, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The Skinny
It’s a shame that running back Ka’Deem Carey doesn’t seem to get the attention he deserves.
In nine games this season, the junior has rushed for 1,353 yards and 12 touchdowns on 242 carries. He’s topped the century mark in each game and found the end zone in all but two.
Furthermore, only Boston College’s Andre Williams averages more yards per game than Carey (150.3).
While the Ducks will be no picnic, their run defense has appeared vulnerable against the run.
Thus far, Oregon ranks No. 33 against the run (143.7 YPG) and has conceded just 3.46 yards per carry. However, Washington’s Bishop Sankey (28 CAR, 167 YDs, 2 TDs) and Stanford’s Tyler Gaffney (45 CAR, 157 YDs, 1 TD) seemed to have no difficulty putting up numbers on the ground.
The Wildcats may not win on Saturday, but don’t expect Carey to have any trouble padding his stats.
QB Bryce Petty (Baylor)
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Week 13 Matchup: No. 4 Baylor (9-0) at No. 10 Oklahoma State (9-1), Nov. 23, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The Skinny
Behind all the Bears’ points, yards and impressive statistics, is the sensational performance of quarterback Bryce Petty.
Through nine games, the junior has thrown for 2,992 yards, 24 touchdowns and an interception on 65.2 percent passing. He’s also added another 127 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Not only does Petty have Baylor positioned to make a run at the BCS title, but he also has himself in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
Although the Cowboys will be the Bears’ toughest test, Petty should have no problems putting up numbers.
Thus far, Oklahoma State ranks No. 81 against the pass (239.5 YPG). The team has also surrendered 11 touchdowns through the air.
Against a defense that has given up yards but not too many scores, expect Petty to change that.
Anything less than 300 yards and three touchdowns for the Midlothian, Texas native would be surprising.
RB Carlos Hyde (Ohio State)
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Week 13 Matchup: Indiana (4-6) at No. 3 Ohio State (10-0), Nov. 23, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The Skinny
Just when you think you’ve seen it all from running back Carlos Hyde, he goes and does something ridiculous.
In seven games since returning from suspension, the senior has rushed for 947 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 120 carries. He’s now topped the century mark in five consecutive games while accounting for all 11 of his scores during that span. That includes rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries against Illinois last weekend.
The going will get easier this Saturday.
Thus far, the Hoosiers rank No. 122 against the run (251.1 YPG). Furthermore, the team has allowed 30 touchdowns on the ground while giving up a ridiculous 5.34 yards per carry.
Hyde could probably walk for over 100 yards against this defense.
RB Tyler Gaffney (Stanford)
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Week 13 Matchup: Cal (1-10) at No. 9 Stanford (8-2), Nov. 23, 4 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1
The Skinny
After suffering its second loss of the season last weekend to USC, the Cardinal’s 2013 campaign has been somewhat of a disappointment.
However, the play of running back Tyler Gaffney has been anything but.
Through 10 games, the senior has rushed for 1,201 yards and 15 touchdowns on 235 carries. That includes topping the century mark in five consecutive games while finding the end zone nine times in that span.
Don’t expect the Bears' run defense to put a stop to that.
Thus far, the unit ranks No. 90 against the run (188.8 YPG). Furthermore, Cal has given up 29 touchdowns and a generous average of 4.9 yards on the ground.
Anything less than 200 yards should be considered underachieving for Gaffney on Saturday.
QB Jameis Winston (Florida State)
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Week 13 Matchup: Idaho (1-9) at No. 2 Florida State (10-0), Nov. 23, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU
The Skinny
Can anyone stop quarterback Jameis Winston and the Seminoles?
Through 10 games, the redshirt freshman has been phenomenal, throwing for 2,938 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 70.9 percent passing. He’s also added another 145 yards and three scores on the ground.
Although Florida State has been dominating opponents left and right, Winston hasn’t thrown three touchdowns in a game since Oct. 26. (That’s mostly a result of not playing most of the second half due to the Seminoles’ big leads.) However, the lowly Vandals defense is just the cure for that.
Thus far, the unit ranks No. 123 against the pass (329.1 YPG). Furthermore, Idaho has allowed 33 touchdowns through the air—the most in FBS—and has intercepted only eight passes.
Winston could easily throw for three touchdowns in Florida State’s first three possessions alone in this one.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
