Scout's Eye - Week Eleven College Football Preview
- John B. Everett
- Nov 6
- 9 min read
We are nearing the stretch drive of the college football season as conference races heat up and teams make a final thrust towards a playoff berth. Three games highlight week eleven as the Big 12, SEC, and Big Ten feature games that will help decide their conference races and feature a number of quality NFL prospects including QBs Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), Dante Moore (Oregon), RBs LJ Martin (BYU), Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M), Noah Whittington (Oregon), WRs Chase Roberts (BYU), Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech), KC Concepcion and Mario Craver (Texas A&M), Kevin Coleman (Missouri), TEs Carsen Ryan (BYU), Brett Norfleet (Missouri), Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon), OTs Howard Sampson (Texas Tech), Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M), Cayden Green (Missouri), Isaiah World (Oregon), IOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon), Logan Jones (Iowa), EDGEs Romello Height and David Bailey (Texas Tech), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon), IDL Albert Regis (Texas A&M), Aaron Graves (Iowa), A’Mauri Washington (Oregon), LBs Jack Kelly (BYU), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), CBs Will Lee (Texas A&M), Daylen Carnell (Missouri), and safeties Tanner Wall (BYU), and Dalton Brooks (Texas A&M).
Game of the Week
(7) BYU at (8) Texas Tech
Saturday, November 8. 12 noon ET / 9:00 am PT
BYU Prospects to Keep an Eye On:
· RB LJ Martin
· WR Chase Roberts
· TE Carsen Ryan
· LB Jack Kelly
· S Tanner Wall
Texas Tech Prospects to Keep an Eye On:
· QB Behren Morton
· WR Caleb Douglas
· EDGE Romello Height
· EDGE David Bailey
· LB Jacob Rodriguez
The game of the year in the Big 12 as the undefeated BYU Cougars look to virtually lock up a bid to the conference championship game with a victory over the Red Raiders on Saturday afternoon in Lubbock. BYU, one of four major conference schools still unbeaten (Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M), will proceed into this critical contest most likely without stud RB LJ Martin, who injured his shoulder early into the October 25th game against Iowa State and his status remains uncertain for this Saturday. If Martin cannot play, the Cougars lose their best and most consistent offensive weapon. Martin has rushed for 789 yards on six yards per carry and five TDs through eight games this season and has also proven to be a reliable outlet receiver for freshman QB Bear Bachmeier, snagging 11 receptions for 82 yards on the season. Martin’s running ability keeps defenses honest, an important consideration since the Red Raiders boast a dynamic pass rushing duo of EDGEs David Bailey and Romello Height, and being able to control the LOS with a consistent rushing attack is a key for victory. When Bachmeier drops back to pass, he has two NFL-caliber receivers to throw to. WR Chase Roberts is in his third year starting for the Cougars and has proven to be a big, strong, and reliable WR who seems to catch any ball thrown near him. Roberts (6’4” / 210 lbs) has already caught 32 passes for 591 yards and four TDs on the season, averaging a career-high 18.5 yards per reception (YPR). TE Carsen Ryan, a transfer from UCLA, is one the most well-rounded TEs in the nation who is a dangerous and reliable receiver over the middle of the field as well as a quality blocker, whether lined up as a traditional Y-TE, lined up as an H-back, or leading the RB through the hole as a FB. Ryan has a career-high 20 receptions for 260 yards (13.0 YPR) and two TDs on the season. Ryan’s greatest value might be as a blocker in pass protection where his strength and tenacity may be needed to neutralize the Texas Tech pass rush. LB Jack Kelly is an old school, blue-collar football player who flows and scrapes through traffic with light feet and solid lateral agility. Kelly is most effective in the box where he can read his keys, explode forward, and fill violently against the run. Kelly is a quality blitzer who has recorded five sacks so far this season as well as 35 total tackles and one forced fumble on the season. Kelly can be exploited in coverage where his lack of speed and quickness can be exposed in space. Kelly will need to be on his game for BYU to win on the road. Safety Tanner Wall has the size and athletic ability that NFL teams look for in a safety and excels roaming over the top of the defense. Wall has five INTs recorded over the last two seasons but needs to become a better and more secure tackler in the open field or Red Raiders RB Cameron Dicker could have a field day on Saturday.
The Red Raiders having already dropped a conference game, losing to Arizona State 26-22 on October 18th, and cannot afford another loss if they hope to play for the Big 12 title and a playoff berth next month. QB Behren Morton has quietly had a solid season leading the most talented team in the Big 12. Morton, who returned from injury last week to lead the Red Raiders to a 43-20 victory over Kansas State, has passed for 1,750 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs while completing 67.9% of his passes on the season. Morton has improved his field vision and ability to go through his progressions this year and his decision making has looked sharper than in previous years. Morton needs to avoid stretches of turnovers, a problem that he hopes he has ironed out as a senior. WR Caleb Douglas is an ascending talent who is playing his best ball as a senior. Douglas (6’4” / 210 lbs) is a well-coordinated WR with deceptive quickness and separation ability for a big WR. Douglas is playing his best ball as a senior and has put up solid numbers in Tech’s balanced offense – 41 receptions / 594 yards / 14.5 YPR / 4 TDs and is a match-up nightmare for BYU on Saturday afternoon. If you are looking for a defining reason why the Red Raiders are national title contenders, look no farther than Tech’s fantastic set of starting EDGEs – Romello Height and David Bailey. Height (6’3” / 235 lbs) has already established a career high with six sacks and seems to have found a home after playing at Auburn, USC, and Georgia Tech during his college career. Height has flashed elite skills in the past but consistency has always been an issue. Perhaps the difference is that Height plays opposite of Bailey, who is having arguably the best season of any EDGE in the nation. Bailey (6’3” / 250 lbs), a Stanford transfer, is a likely top ten pick in April’s draft due to his elite first step, bend, and finishing ability. Bailey has already established a career high with 11.5 sacks, as well as 14 TFL and two forced fumbles through the first nine games of the season. The 2026 NFL Draft looks likely to have a deep selection of EDGE rushers and Bailey is making the case to be the first one selected next spring. LB Jacob Rodriguez is a turnover producing force with seven forced fumbles and two INTs recorded this season. Rodriguez has fantastic instincts and is a tackling machine with 74 total tackles on the season. Based on production, Rodriguez (6’1” / 230 lbs) looks like a top ten pick in April. One thing for sure, BYU better protect the ball on Saturday or Rodriguez will make them pay.
Other Noteworthy Games
(3) Texas A&M at (22) Missouri
Saturday, November 8. 3:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm PT
The Aggies, the only undefeated team remaining in the SEC, go on the road to play the Missouri Tigers, who are reeling after losing two of their last three games and losing starting QB Beau Pribula, likely for the rest of the season, after he tore three ligaments in his left ankle in Missouri’s loss to Vanderbilt. Aggies OLT Trey Zuhn is quietly having an All-American season in College Station as he leads what might be the best offensive line in the nation. Zuhn (6’6” / 319 lbs) is in his third year starting at left tackle for the Aggies and he has steadily improved to being both a road grader in the run game and a reliable blindside protector for QB Marcel Reed. How Zuhn fares against NFL EDGE prospects Zion Young and Damon Wilson may very well decide who wins Saturday’s game in Columbia. IDL Albert Regis has been a run stuffing force on the Aggies defensive line this season and has helped elevate the defense to being an equal partner to the Aggie’s explosive offense. Regis (6’1” / 317 lbs) is most adept as a run stopper where he regularly requires double teams but has also become a more impactful interior pass rusher as a senior where he already set a career high in sacks with two, along with 30 total tackles, two TFL, and one forced fumble. How Missouri tries to establish the inside run is a fascinating subplot to watch unfold. Freshman QB Matt Zollers is the likely starter for the rest of the season for the Tigers and fortunately for him, he has one of the nation’s best TEs at his disposal – Brett Norfleet. Norfleet (6’6” / 263 lbs) has already equaled last year’s receiving totals with 26 receptions for 224 yards (8.6 YPR) and 5 TDs on the season. Norfleet gives Zoller a reliable option over the middle of the field and an additional blocker to neutralize the pass rush of potential first round pick Cashius Howell Saturday afternoon. Although fellow EDGE Zion Young has been getting the most attention, Damon Wilson is the best pure pass rusher on the Missouri team. Wilson (6’4” / 250 lbs) has elite traits for a speed rusher including the ability to bend, flatten, and close on the QB with a sudden closing burst. Wilson has recorded 6.5 sacks and 6.5 TFL on the season and has been playing his best ball down the stretch for the Tigers. Wilson will need to be on his game if the Tigers hope to upset the Aggies on Saturday.
(9) Oregon at (20) Iowa
Saturday, November 8. 3:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm PT
The Ducks and Hawkeyes meet in what amounts to an elimination game for a chance to win the Big Ten and earn an automatic bid to the college football playoffs. Oregon stands at 7-1 / 4-1 in the Big Ten but stand on the outside looking in at the Big Ten championship after their 30-20 loss to Indiana on October 11th. QB Dante Moore has statistically had an outstanding season so far – 145/203 (71.4%) / 1,772 yards / 19 TDs / 4 INTs - but his performance in the waning moments of that Indiana loss, including an INT near the goal line when the Ducks were driving, gets stuck in the mind. Moore, like many young QBs in college football, lacks the experience desired by the NFL and he needs (at least) another year of college football before he enters the draft. Moore gets to face one of the best defenses in the Big Ten on Saturday and it should be a good test for the talented redshirt sophomore QB. IDL A’Mauri Washington is one of the better run stuffing defensive tackles in the Big Ten and flashes elite pass rushing skill. Washington (6’3” / 330) is a massive man with surprising athleticism, agility, and immense natural power. Washington has recorded his first career sack this season and is just starting to tap his potential. The junior should return for another season in Eugene but if he does declare for April’s draft, Washington could be a first-round pick. Iowa is 6-2 / 4-1 in the Big Ten and their only path to the college football playoffs is to win the Big Ten title. So, this is a must win game for the Hawkeyes. QB Mark Gronowski has a championship pedigree, winning a pair of FCS National Championships at South Dakota State and this Saturday is why the Hawkeyes brought him to Iowa City. Gronowski, who had a 49-6 record in FCS, is more of a game manager this year and has completed 107/165 (64.8%) / 946 yards / 4 TDs / 4 INTS while adding 313 yards rushing (4.1 YPC) and 11 TDs on the ground. Gronowski will need to pass for more than 118 yards (roughly his average per game) if the Hawkeyes are to pull off the upset. IDL Aaron Graves is the next in line of Iowa defensive linemen who should be solid NFL contributors. Graves (6’5” / 295 lbs) looks like a potential starter as a 5T in an odd front or as a 3T in an even front in the NFL. Graves has produced 27 total tackles, four sacks, and 5.5 TFL on the season and will need to be an inside havoc producing interior threat on Saturday afternoon.
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