This past week was pretty standard. Only #9 Oklahoma went down to #22 Oklahoma State in what could possibly be the last Bedlam Game ever as Oklahoma moves on to the SEC next season. Some games were close in the first half, but the Top 10 held serve. This week, four Top 245 teams, including #10 Penn State vs #3 Michigan, play each other. Follow along as we guide you through all the storylines, player profiles, and game previews you need this College Football season. Enjoy!
College Football Primer Week 11 (Devy Fantasy Football)
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart (JR – Ole Miss) | 6-2, 220
Jaxson Dart was the 13th-ranked QB in the 2021 class, initially committing and playing for USC. He played six games for the Trojans in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss. He took over starting duties after the departure of Matt Corral to the NFL. Last season, he threw for 2,974 yards with 20 TDs and 11 INTs. He should improve on those numbers this season, as he already has 2,467 yards, 16 TDs, and only 4 INTs. He is currently ranked 2nd in the SEC in Total Yards and TDs Responsible and is the 5th best passer in the conference. This week, Dart leads #9 Ole Miss between the hedges in Athens as they take on the #2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia once again has a Top 10 defense and boasts the 18th-ranked passing defense in the nation. Dart may be unable to put up another 367 yards as he did last week against Texas A&M.
Running Back
Dillon Johnson (SR – Washington) | 6-0, 218
Last week, in a win at USC, Dillon Johnson exploded for 256 rushing yards and 4 TDs. The transfer from Mississippi State is on his way to a 1,000-yard season and would probably be there already if it wasn’t for two dud performances where he had a combined total of 18 rushing yards. This week, #5 Washington hosts the reigning back-to-back Pac-12 Champion #18 Utah. Utah currently has the 5th ranked rushing defense in the nation, allowing just 81 rushing yards per game. Johnson will probably not find as many holes as he did last week, but a big game now could send him up draft boards.
Wide Receiver
LaJohntay Wester (JR – FAU) | 5-11, 167
Last week, in a win against UAB, Wester had 219 receiving yards, 3 TDs, and even threw in a rushing TD for good measure. The Junior WR already has 1,000 receiving yards this season, and he currently leads the AAC in receiving and is 1st in the nation in return yards per punt. He is a dynamic player with the ball in his hand and is quick to boot. FAU has to win 2 of its last three games to be bowl-eligible, and this week, they host the 1-8 ECU Pirates, who surprisingly have the 50th-ranked defense in the NCAA. As long as Head Coach Tom Herman can get the ball in Wester’s hands, it should go a long way to get another victory.
Tight End
Jack Velling (SO – Oregon State) | 6-4, 241
Velling was a 3-star prospect out of Seattle. He currently leads all TEs with 8 TD catches, which is also good for 4th overall in the Pac-12 for TD receptions. The true sophomore has already doubled his receiving totals from last season and has averaged three catches for 45 yards in every game he has had a target this season. He has good size and decent speed for the position and has been instrumental in Oregon State’s success this season. The #12 Beavers host Stanford this week, but with dates against #5 Washington and #6 Oregon over the next two weeks, Oregon State may have a shot to rise the rankings and get a decent bowl game.
Game of the Week
#3 Michigan (-4.5) vs. #10 Penn State
Unless you have been under a rock this week, you have heard that the Big Ten has banned Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh from coaching for the remainder of the regular season, totaling three games, but two HUGE ones. This week’s tilt is against Penn State, and in two weeks, against rival and #1 Ohio State. The University of Michigan’s legal team is fighting the ruling, but it may still result in the penalty being enforced.
Regardless, the game itself will be fun to watch. Many think Michigan is overlooking Penn State as they look ahead to the OSU game. Penn State is in a unique position where if they beat win out and Michigan beats OSU, then the argument could be made that the Nittany Lions could be in the CFP, but since OSU beat Penn State head to head, then OSU could still go to the Big Ten title game. Lots of drama is yet to come.
These teams have the top 2 defense in the nation, but offensively, I don’t want to say they are middle of the road, but Michigan has the 42nd ranked offense, and Penn State has the 60th ranked offense in the NCAA. Penn State Sophomore QB Drew Allar has had a decent season with almost 1,900 passing yards and an excellent 20:1 TD-to-INT ratio, but since Week 3 has only thrown for more than 191 yards twice. Michigan Junior QB J.J. McCarthy leads the Big Ten in most passing categories and has over 2,100 passing yards with 18 TDs and 3 INTs.
Since both teams have stout defenses and similar passing attacks, the ground game will likely be the deciding factor, and the edge to that game phase goes to Michigan. Senior RB Blake Corum has the 4th most rushing yards in the conference and leads the Big Ten in rushing TDs. Penn State has relied heavily on the two-headed rushing attack from Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Penn State Head Coach James Franklin will have to go with the hot hand, but I think the offensive edge goes to Michigan.
There will be a lot of drama and fanfare with this game, and you know Happy Valley will be rockin’, but I think Michigan squeaks one out and lets the country know that they can do it with or without their coach.
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