10 College Football Players Guaranteed to Light Up the Stat Sheet in Week 14
With college football rivalry week upon us, there are sure to be several players ready to put up big numbers in Week 14.
The nationโs top running back is set to square off with a run defense that is giving up rushing touchdowns like theyโre Christmas presents. Another coming off a short stint on the injury list should return to wreak havoc upon a Top 10 opponent. In the marquee matchup, one quarterback will light up the scoreboard in an effort that should give him serious consideration for the Heisman Trophy.
All in all, it should provide for some interesting football during Thanksgiving weekend.
Here are 10 specific players who should take advantage of defenses in the giving spirit.
RB Andre Williams (Boston College)
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Week 14 Matchup: Boston College (7-4) at Syracuse (5-6), Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3
Why Heโs Due
You could build a brick wall behind the defense and running back Andre Williams wouldย still find a hole.
Thatโs how good heโs been this season.
Through 11 games, the senior has rushed for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns on 320 carries. Furthermore, heโs racked up at least 140 yards on the ground in seven of the last eight contests, including finding the end zone 14 times in the last seven.
Not surprisingly, Williams leads the nation in yards, attempts and yards per game (188.5).
Simply put, the Orange donโt stand a chance of stopping him.
To the teamโs credit, its run defense ranks No. 28 in the nation (135.0 YPG) and has only given up 3.73 yards per carry; however, Syracuse has conceded 17 touchdowns on the ground already this season.
Expect nothing more than big numbers from Williams.
RB Javorius Allen (USC)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 22 UCLA (8-3) at No. 23 USC (9-3), Nov. 30, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Why Heโs Due
Even more surprising than the Trojansโ five-game winning streak is the play of running back Javorius Allen.
Although the sophomoreโs season stat line wonโt amazeโ88 CAR, 576 YDs, 11 TDsโhis play throughout recent weeks will. In USCโs last four games, Allen has rushed for more than 130 yards three times and scored nine touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 180 yards and a score.
Donโt expect him to slow down against the Bruins this weekend.
Through 11 games, the team ranks No. 73 against the run (173.2 YPG). Furthermore, UCLA has given up 17 touchdowns on the ground while conceding about four yards per carry.
If the Trojans win on Saturday, Allen will be the reason.
QB Zach Mettenberger (LSU)
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Week 14 Matchup: Arkansas (3-8) at No. 17 LSU (8-3), Nov. 29, 2:30 p.m. ET on CBS
Why Heโs Due
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has really come of age in 2013.
Through 11 games, the senior has thrown for 2,926 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 65.0 percent passing. He has nearly doubled his touchdown total from a year ago and has set career highs in passing yards and passer rating (176.1).
The Razorbacks donโt pose too much of a threat to slow down that growth.
Entering Week 14, the team ranks No. 77 against the pass (235.2 YPG). Arkansas has given up 24 touchdowns through the air while conceding a generous 7.9 yards per attempt.
Throw in the fact that the Razorbacks have lost eight consecutive games, and Mettenberger should have nothing less than a field day on Friday.
QB Taylor Kelly (Arizona State)
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Week 14 Matchup: Arizona (7-4) at No. 12 Arizona State (9-2), Nov. 30, 9:30 p.m. ET
Why Heโs Due
By clinching a spot in the Pac-12 title last weekend, the Sun Devils easily get the honor for being the conferenceโs biggest surprise in 2013.
It wouldnโt have been possible without the play of quarterback Taylor Kelly.
Through 11 games, the junior has thrown for 3,063 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 63.2 percent passing. Heโs also added another 411 yards and eight touchdownsโall scored within the last six gamesโon 114 carries.
Donโt expect the Wildcats to provide much bite to that run.
Entering Week 14, the team ranks No. 71 against the pass (232.0 YPG). Arizona has allowed 18 touchdowns through the air and concedes 6.3 yards per attempt.
Kelly should have no trouble having a successful warm-up game before the Pac-12 title.
RB Jeremy Langford (Michigan State)
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Week 14 Matchup: Minnesota (8-3) at No. 11 Michigan State (10-1), Nov. 30, 12 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Why Heโs Due
The Spartans officially clinched a berth into the Big Ten title game last weekend.
Running back Jeremy Langford has been a large reason for that.
Through 11 games, the junior has been sensational, rushing for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns on 224 carries. That includes topping the century mark in six consecutive games now, finding the end zone 11 times during that span.
Things should be the same this weekend.
Thus far, the Gophers rank No. 48 against the run (151.6 YPG). The team has allowed 15 touchdowns on the ground and concede a very generous 4.43 yards per carry.
Langford wonโt have a problem extending his streak to seven on Saturday.
RB Mike Davis (South Carolina)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 6 Clemson (10-1) at No. 10 South Carolina (9-2), Nov. 30, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Why Heโs Due
If the Gamecocks want to extend their four-game win streak over the Tigers, running back Mike Davis is going to have to be at the top of his game.
In 10 games, the sophomore has rushed for 1,112 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries. Furthermore, he has topped the century mark and found the end zone in all but three contests this season.
Against Clemsonโs run defense, Davis should continue his impressive play.
Entering Week 14, the Tigers rank No. 54 against the run (153.7 YPG). Although the team allows just 3.8 yards per carry, Clemson has already conceded 17 touchdowns on the ground.
Expect Davis to take advantage.
QB James Franklin (Missouri)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 21 Texas A&M (8-3) at No. 5 Missouri (10-1), Nov. 30, 7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN
Why Heโs Due
With quarterback James Franklin under center, the Tigers are a much different squad.
In fact, the team actually has the look of a serious SEC title contender.
Throughout seven games, the senior has thrown for 1,719 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions on 67.3 percent passing. Heโs also added another 332 yards and three scores on 73 carries.
Last weekend, Franklin made his return to the field after missing Missouriโs previous four games.ย
Although it was a game to forgetโ12-of-19, 142 YDs, 1 INT, 8 CAR, 42 YDsโthe Aggies defense will be a lot more forgiving this Saturday.
Entering Week 14, Texas A&M ranks No. 108 in total defense (460.1 YPG), No. 84 against the pass (239.1 YPG) and No. 109 against the run (221.0 YPG). The team has conceded 26 touchdowns through the air (7.3 YPA) and 18 on the ground (5.3 YPC).
Franklin could practically pick and choose which way he wants to gash the Aggies defense on Saturday.
QB Braxton Miller (Ohio State)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 3 Ohio State (11-0) at Michigan (7-4), Nov. 30, 12 p.m. ET on ABC
Why Heโs Due
The Buckeyes are one win shy of posting up their second consecutive undefeated regular season. Only the rival Wolverines stand in the teamโs way.
If Ohio State is going to extend its nationally high 23-game winning streak, the team is going to have to rely on the arm of quarterback Braxton Miller.
Thus far, the junior has thrown for 1,626 yards, 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions on 67.7 passing. Heโs also added another 738 yards and five scores on 116 carries.
Furthermore, Miller has tossed 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions while finding the end zone five times in the Buckeyesโ last five contests.
Although Michiganโs run defense may keep his rushing abilities at bay, the same canโt be said about the secondary.
Entering Week 14, the unit ranks No. 80 against the pass (236.6 YPG). The Wolverines have given up 18 passing touchdowns and concede 6.4 yards per attempt.
Miller should have no problem guiding Ohio State to 12-0.
RB Devonta Freeman (Florida State)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 2 Florida State (11-0) at Florida (4-7), Nov. 30, 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Why Heโs Due
The passing gameโmore specifically, quarterback Jameis Winstonโmay have been what got the Seminoles to the position they are in; however, it will be the rushing attack that secures the teamโs spot in the BCS title game.
Thatโs where running back Devonta Freeman comes in.
Through 11 games, the junior has rushed for a team-high 808 yards and 11 touchdowns on 131 carries. That includes finding the end zone in seven consecutive games and in all but two.
Against the Gators, expect it to be much of the same.
Going by statistics, Florida seems capable of stopping the runโNo. 32 in the category (143.6 YPG). If you recall, though, this is the same team that allowed the FCSโ Georgia Southern to pile up 429 yards on the ground in a shocking 26-20 loss.
How does Florida expect to fare against the No. 2 team in the nation?
QB AJ McCarron (Alabama)
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Week 14 Matchup: No. 1 Alabama (11-0) at No. 4 Auburn (10-1), Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS
Why Heโs Due
Itโs time for quarterback AJ McCarron to prove his worth.
In fact, given his remaining two games, the senior has the opportunity to really make some noise in the race for the Heisman Trophy.
Entering Week 14, McCarron has thrown for 2,399 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions on 68.6 percent passing. He has now thrown multiple touchdowns in a game for five consecutive gamesโa career high.
In one of the greatest Iron Bowls to date, expect McCarron to keep his stellar play going.
Through 11 games, the Tigers only rank No. 100 against the pass (253.7 YPG). Furthermore, the team is allowing a little more than 7.0 yards per attempt.
If you recall, this is the same Auburn squad that let Georgiaโs Aaron Murray scorch its secondary for 415 yards and three touchdownsโall three came in fourth quarter.
McCarron should have plenty of success himself on Saturday.
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