NFL Draft Stock Watch: Who's Up, Who's Down in Week 8?
Another week down and another No. 1 team suffers it's first loss of the season. Oklahoma lost to an upstart Missouri team and Auburn vaulted everyone after defeating undefeated conference rival LSU.
Auburn quarterback Cam Newton lived up to his hype but it was one of his teammates that once again put on a top-15 performance this week.
The Top 25 has seven unbeaten teams remaining and the NFL Draft is inching closer with every week.
As the college football season rolls on, so does the NFL Draft stock watch.
Stock Up 1: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Nick Fairley has been flying up boards all season and in last week's game against previously unbeaten LSU he showed everyone just how unblockable he really is.
Fairley was consistently in the backfield and wound up with 3.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, and saw his season totals increase to 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Not many teams have figured out how to block this guy this season and he continues to bull rush his way into a legitimate first round position.
Auburn travels to Ole Miss this weekend to try and remain the first No. 1 team to hold on to the ranking since Alabama relinquished it four weeks ago.
Stock Up 2: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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The Hurricanes beat up on UNC this past weekend in a much needed 33-10 win at home.
In the process, the Canes got a dominant performance from their uber-talented defensive lineman Allen Bailey.
The Tar Heels only managed 140 passing yards as their protection was continuously disrupted by Bailey's 3.5 sacks.
Bailey possess an extremely rare combination of size, speed and explosiveness. Finally putting it all together on the field just solidifies the potential he has.
The 'Canes travel to Virginia this week.
Stock Up 3: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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The senior corner continues to impress with his man-to-man coverage ability and he is also starting to show better ability in space.
Quick to break and willing to tackle, Smith is doing everything he can to solidify himself as a fringe first- to second-round pick.
Colorado is riding a three game losing streak since entering conference play and now has to travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on an angry Sooner team.
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Stock Up 4: Da' Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Junior defensive end Da'Quan Bowers has always had the ability and now he is finally putting together some production and rising up draft boards in the process.
An intriguing physical specimen with a fantastic size/speed/power ratio, he has already recorded more sacks this season (10) than his previous two seasons combined.
If he continue to play consistent and with a high motor he can be as good as he wants.
The Tigers travel to Chestnut Hill this week to take on Boston College.
Stock Down 1: Nate Solder, T, Colorado
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Solder was considered one of the top tackles in the class coming into the season and since performed like a middle round kid with potential.
He refuses to play consistent on the edge against defensive ends and has not refined his footwork or technique to warrant such a high draft grade.
As for the run game, he simply is not consistent enough in his positioning and leverage.
Solder needs to tighten everything up and perform up to his abilities.
Colorado takes on Oklahoma this week in Norman.
Stock Down 2: Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame
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With injuries ripping through the Notre Dame playmakers quarterback Dayne Crist failed to rally his remaining troops in an awful loss to Navy at the New Meadowlands Stadium this weekend.
Crist has ability but has yet to fully look comfortable running coach Brian Kelly's offense and has been consistently inconsistent with his accuracy and decision making.
The junior signal-caller cannot afford to play with hesitation like he has or this offense will suffer.
The Irish will look to rebound this week at home against Tulsa before they take on undefeated Utah.
Stock Down 3: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
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It is tough to put Crick's lack of dominant production all on his shoulders this season. The Cornhusker defense is still very good and he obviously was not going to be the next Ndamukong Suh.
Crick has not won his one-on-one battles this season though and has seen himself get caught up in the middle of plays too often as well.
The junior has a ton of athleticism and ability but will have to return for his senior season if he wants to prove he can do it without the help of one of the most dominant defensive lineman we have seen in years.
Nebraska will take on undefeated Missouri this week.
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