Ben 10: College football prospects to watch in Week 13

Devin Bush, LB 10, Michigan v. Ohio State (12 PM on Fox)

One of the best rivalry games in college football will not be without its stars. Devin Bush and the Wolverines are in a position to get a College Football Playoff Spot and Ohio State is the biggest obstacle to that. The Buckeyes will throw everything offensively at Michigan and Devin Bush will need to lead the Wolverine defense against OSU’s firepower. - Natan

Zach Allen, EDGE 2, Boston College v. Syracuse (12 PM on ESPN)

Zach Allen has flown under the radar in a crowded landscape of college defenders. However, Zach Allen has starred for the Golden Eagles on defense. This Saturday he’ll be asked to pressure a prolific Syracuse offense, still licking its wounds from a bad loss last week. Allen is a versatile defender and his every down impact will be on full display against one of the best offenses in the ACC. - Natan

Alton Robinson, EDGE 94, Syracuse v. Boston College (12 PM on ESPN)

How about the flip side of the matter? Despite coming into the season without the hype of say, a Zach Allen or Brian Burns, it was Robinson who led the ACC in sacks for a good portion of the year. Robinson has a long and limber frame that lets him threaten the outside edge track frequently. As he incorporates inside moves, he’ll only become more dangerous as a pass rusher. - Solak

Josh Jacobs, RB 6, Alabama v. Auburn (3:30 PM on CBS)

Josh Jacobs has burst onto the scene this year — well, ‘burst’ may be too aggressive a word, when you’re sharing time with Damien Harris and Najee Harris in the backfield. Jacobs, who was recently profiled by Adam Kramer for B/R, climbed and crawled his way to his current role in the Alabama rotation, which has benefitted from his combination of explosiveness and power. Jacobs is a junior without much mileage on his tires and an elite talent behind him in Najee Harris; he may consider leaving in 2019 to capitalize on his moment. - Solak

Deionte Thompson, S 14, Alabama v. Auburn (3:30 PM on CBS)

Alabama’s Civil War game doesn’t have the hype this year as it has in the past. Auburn is unranked and the Tide look more like a Death Star than a football team. This is a game Bama should win with ease and part of that formula will be the Tide’s ability to limit Auburn’s passing game. Auburn’s winning chances ride on the arm of their quarterback and on the other side of the field is the guy quarterbacking Alabama’s defense. Deionte Thompson has made a huge impact this week and this game will be another notch in his belt. - Natan

Deebo Samuel, WR 1, South Carolina v. Clemson (7 PM on ESPN)

It’s been a disappointing senior season for Samuel, who had a fair amount of hype as a 2018 prospect before a season-ending injury spelled a return to school. The offensive wheels have fallen off for the Gamecocks, and Samuel has never really seemed 100% all year. He faces a stiff test in Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen, and then a parade through the Senior Bowl circuit will likely determine how valuable Samuel is at this point in his development. - Solak

Cameron Smith, LB 35, USC v. Notre Dame (8 PM on ABC)

USC has had a down year with a very young team but Cameron Smith has been a leader for the Trojans on defense. Smith has a huge test against Notre Dame and their offense. The Irish will come with weapons passing and running the ball, giving Cameron Smith a three down test. While the Irish are likely to roll, Smith will be the key in keeping USC in the game. - Natan

Julian Okwara, EDGE 43, Notre Dame v. USC (8 PM on ABC)

I was watching fellow DL Jerry Tillery, a true wrecking ball for the Notre Dame DL, when Okwara caught my eye. The younger brother of current Lions DE Romeo Okwara, Julian boasts of terrific bend and velocity along the outside track, and had standout performances against Stanford and Wake Forest earlier this year. He’s a sleeper to watch against USC RT Chuma Edoga. - Solak

Brett Rypien, QB 4, Boise State v. USU (10:15 PM on ESPN)

Rypien has been an intriguing QB prospect for quite some time now, and no game carries more weight for his season than this: in a battle for the Mountain West conference championship, Rypien faces a Utah State defense that ranks 32nd in the nation in pass defense S&P. Winner faces Fresno next weekend — does Rypien have a clutch performance in him? - Solak

Alexander Mattison, RB 22, Boise State v. USU (10:15 PM on ESPN)

The Mountain West has a big ranked game late Saturday Night and there are a ton of good players on each side. Boise State’s offense runs through their 5’11”, 215 pound junior running back. Alexander Mattison is a tough running back who grinds defenses into dust and can make big plays late in the game. Mattison’s number will be called often against Utah State and his play might be worth staying up for. - Natan