Week 11 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more

Week 11 on the college football schedule got off to an early start with several MAC contests kicking off Tuesday. The news got worse moving through the week, however, as more than a dozen games have been postponed or canceled, with Alabama and Ohio State being two of the victims. Still, there will be plenty of action and prospects to watch Saturday, and we’ll be here all day with news, analysis, and opinion. Also, be sure to come back on Sunday evening as my initial 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings will be released exclusively at Pro Football Network!

Information on how and where to watch today’s games, which includes kickoff times and the TV schedule, can be found below.

All of the live Week 11 college football news and live analysis will get underway at noon and wrap up around midnight ET in our College Football Live Game Day Blog. Be sure to also check out the college football TV schedule, which can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the post. And finally, keep up with NFL Draft stories and analysis from the PFN NFL Draft crew by visiting PFN daily.

Week 11 College Football Live Blog with Tony Pauline, Ian Cummings, and Matt Valdovinos

News and updates for the Week 11 college football action through midnight ET will be timestamped once we kick off at noon, and each update will be followed by the initials of the analyst. “IC” is Ian Cummings, “MV” is Matt Valdovinos, and if there are no initials, it’s me (Tony Pauline).

Blindside battle of 2021 Draft prospects (11:45 PM)

As mentioned earlier, Oregon State’s top player and top draft prospect Hamilcar Rashed Jr. already made an impact on special teams to start the game with a blocked punt. However, making an impact on offense is going to prove much more difficult as he faces talented Washington left tackle Jaxson Kirkland. Both players are likely to be drafted either this year or next for Kirkland, and they will use this opportunity to show off their skills against a fellow future NFL player. MV

Hamilcar Rashed Jr. makes an instant impact (11:20 PM)

There are some in the draft community that are very high on Oregon State’s Hamilcar Rashed Jr. He plays with natural bend and explosion off the line of scrimmage, and he’s put together a prolific career at Oregon State, registering 34.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in his career. His physical traits and production are both excellent, and it’s very plausible we see Rashed drafted within the first 50 selections in this coming draft. He started this game quickly by blocking a punt on the first drive. MV

2021 Quarterback class getting interesting (11:00 PM)

Coming into the season, it was the consensus opinion among draft writers and pundits that there were three obvious first-round QBs and an overall poor class after. However, with the recent play of some draft-eligible passers, that view may not be as mainstream anymore. Guys like Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Kyle Trask built on strong finishes to last year by taking a massive step forward in their development, and both are now expected to be selected early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, other passers like Kellen Mond, Desmond Ridder, and D’Eriq King answered questions about their games and have elevated their stock dramatically higher than what it was just six months ago.

The class went from three obvious first-rounders to five or six guys with first-round hopes, and a small group of draftable Day 2 and 3 quarterbacks, to a diverse and deep cornucopia of signal-callers. A bright change of perspective for the class as a whole. MV

Oregon RB CJ Verdell could receive top 5 RB hype in 2021 (10:45 PM)

In Oregon’s opening game last week, one player I made sure to keep an eye on was the Ducks’ running back CJ Verdell. Coming off his second straight 1,000 yard season, expectations were high for Verdell among Oregon’s fans and coaches alike. Verdell delivered with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against a quality Stanford defense. He’s once again having a strong performance today against Washington state. Verdell has recorded 118 yards, and a touchdown on 18 carries tonight. He lacks the elite physical traits you desire in a running back, but a well rounded back who’s been a model of consistency throughout his career will have value in a lackluster running back class. MV

Nick Eubanks is going to be under-drafted next April (10:25 PM)

Injuries kept Nick Eubanks on the sidelines early this season, and erratic quarterback play has done him no favors tonight, but the big tight end flashes a dominant style that projects well to the next level.

Eubanks measures 6-feet-4.5-inches and 255 pounds, playing to his forty speed of 4.75 seconds. He’s flashed ability the past two seasons but has yet to put together a complete game. I grade him as a Day 2 talent, but as of now, I believe Eubanks will fall into the draft’s final day.

Proper coaching and player development will have Eubanks starting in the NFL by his second season.

Zaven Collins: The best linebacker no one is talking about (10:10 PM)

There’s a very entertaining AAC game presently taking place on ESPN2 as Tulsa has clawed back against SMU after being down 17 points at halftime. The comeback has been inspired by the Tulsa defense and has been led by Zaven Collins, a top-60 pick that few seem to talk about.

Collins is incredibly athletic and has a great combination of strength and speed. He’s fast in a straight line or laterally, and Collins is an impactful defender who comes up in the big spots — as he just did to force SMU into a punting situation. He’s tallied four tackles this evening to go along with the 27 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, and two INTs registered during the first four games of the season.

Only a junior, I’m told there’s about a 90% chance that Collins enters the 2021 NFL Draft.

Delano Robinson is criminally underrated (9:55 PM)

For the life of me, I’ll never understand why scouts did not grade SMU linebacker Delano Robinson before the season. He’s an ever-improving linebacker coming off 76 tackles in 2019. Robinson is ahead of that pace this season and has been around the ball all game against Tulsa with eight tackles as the third quarter closes out.

Robinson is a smaller, run-and-chase linebacker with next-level instincts and great skill in pursuit. He possesses the style and substance to line up at ILB in a 3-4 scheme. Despite not being graded by scouts, Robinson has a sixth-round grade on my board.

Temple LT Moore has next-level stuff (9:40 PM)

It’s been a disastrous campaign for Temple; the team is 1-4 and about to drop another game as they are presently getting clobbered by Central Florida. Yet, several of their next-level prospects have looked good, especially and including third-year junior Isaac Moore.

The Owls left tackle is a mobile and agile blocker effective in pass protection or on the second level. He’s had a few good battles this evening and, for the most part, has come out on top. I grade Moore as a third/fourth-round prospect, and I love his upside potential.

What’s next for Jim Harbaugh? (9:20 PM)

It’s deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra once said.

After getting beaten soundly by Wisconsin last year, Michigan goes into the locker room at halftime down 28-0. So what’s going to happen with Jim Harbaugh? Short of the Wolverines beating Ohio State this season, the team that has annihilated Michigan the past two years, common knowledge says Harbaugh is out at Michigan.

Will NFL teams then be running over one another to hire Harbaugh? The answer from just about everyone I’ve spoken to within the league is a resounding “no.” While Harbaugh will be interviewed, he’s not on anyone’s “must-have” list at this point and is receiving a fraction of the excitement Matt Rhule was building in league circles this time last year. Those I’ve spoken with feel Harbaugh’s magic is short-lived, and he often rubs people the wrong way.

Where does CJ Verdell fit at the next level? (9:05 PM)

There’s been a lot of chatter on CJ Verdell in and out of scouting circles. Some scouts grade him as a third-round prospect, while some on the outside have an earlier grade on the Oregon junior. I, on the other hand, stamp the running back as a fourth-round player. Why? I just don’t know how he fits at the next level. He lacks the skills to be a feature runner in the NFL, and he’s inconsistent at times. There’s also the fact that this type of player coming out of Oregon never lived up to expectations in the NFL.

I believe Verdell could be a good third-down back/situational runner at the next level, but I don’t believe he’s good enough at this point to be a Day 2 selection.

Nothin’ but love for Shi Smith (8:50 PM)

Despite playing for a team with a losing record, a team that manufactures ways to lose, and a team with a head coach seemingly on the brink every weekend, South Carolina receiver Shi Smith continues to impress and play hard. He’s already caught seven passes for 82 yards and one touchdown as the second quarter opens. In fact, Smith is the only Gamecock to catch a pass tonight against Ole Miss.

Smith is slight of size but plays fast and comes with dependable hands. He’ll be a solid selection in the middle of the draft’s final day for a team that needs a speedy receiver who can line up in the slot as well as return punts.

So far, so good for Kayden Lyles (8:25 PM)

Entering the season, I graded Wisconsin junior Kayden Lyles as a fifth-round prospect off the 2019 film when he played guard for the Badgers. Lyles was pushed into center this season to replace the departed Tyler Biadasz, now doing a bang-up job for the Dallas Cowboys.

And while he’s not played to the caliber of his former Badger teammate, Lyles has looked good at center, albeit in less than a game and a half. If he continues to progress, the position versatility he’s showing will only enhance Lyles’ draft stock.

Trask doing it – Again! (8:10 PM)

There are still seven minutes left in the first half, but Kyle Trask already has three touchdown passes against Arkansas. The Florida signal-caller just made a beautiful throw in the end zone to tight end Justin Shorter, the replacement for the injured Kyle Pitts, who made an equally impressive catch for six points. Trask is 13-of-16 for 193 yards so far, with seven different pass catchers recording a reception. The Week 10 riser is getting a lot of top 45 conversation at this point, after entering the season graded as a late-round pick by scouts.

Franks will get a shot at the next level (8:00 PM)

Entering the season, Feleipe Franks was graded anywhere from the late fifth round to a PFA by scouts, yet he’s played beyond expectations this season. Tonight the Arkansas quarterback takes on Florida, the school he transferred out of, and there’s an axe to grind. Franks is a large power thrower that’s relatively elusive for a big signal-caller. For the most part, he makes good decisions, and I’ve been impressed with his improved accuracy this season and the way he’s done a great job leading the Razorback offense.

Mills looks good after a slow start (7:40 PM)

It was a terribly slow start for Stanford quarterback Davis Mills and his Cardinal teammates who came back to make a game of it against Colorado in the 35-32 loss.  Mills, who missed the season opener against Oregon last week after a COVID-19 testing error, finished the game with 31 of 56 passing for 327 yards and 1 TD.  The redshirt junior looked good in the six games he started last year, to the point KJ Costello left for Mississippi State via graduate transfer.

There is a LOT of excitement for Mills in the scouting community, specifically surrounding his upside potential.  League insiders confided in me over the summer if Mills has a knockout season, he will be graded as a first-round prospect.  Granted, no one was factoring in a shortened 2020 campaign at the time, but they are looking forward to Mills meeting his potential.

Kedon Slovis, USC’s passing attack converts late vs. Arizona (7:25 PM)

Kedon Slovis had a historic freshman season in 2019, and while his passing attack got off to a rough start against the Arizona Wildcats, Slovis caught fire when it mattered most, driving the Trojans down the field for a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive to regain the lead. On the drive, Slovis completed four passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown for 58 yards.

St. Brown is quickly affirming his status as a legitimate Round 2 draft prospect, and his ability to be “the guy” for Slovis in the clutch only cements that fact. Meanwhile, Slovis, who’s thrown for 325 yards and a score, is starting to prove that his first season as a starter wasn’t a fluke. Slovis has an enticing mix of pocket mobility, poise, and accuracy, and next year, his draft declaration status will be a big topic. IC

Has Northwestern’s competent passing attack unearthed a wide receiver prospect? (7:05 PM)

No one’s calling Peyton Ramsey a world-beater, but Northwestern’s passing game has undoubtedly experienced a boost with him under center. He’s at least a serviceable signal-caller, and that’s more than the Wildcats have enjoyed in a long time. Northwestern’s newly competent passing attack may be unearthing another 2021 receiver prospect: Senior pass-catcher Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman.

Through two quarters today, Chiaokhiao-Bowman has six receptions for 74 yards and two scores, already in the midst of a career outing. The book is relatively empty on Chiaokhiao-Bowman to this point, but from what we’ve seen thus far today, he has good athleticism for his 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame. On his second touchdown, he used a twitchy double move at the line to gain separation.

There’s only so much room for Chiaokhiao-Bowman to gain a foothold in the 2021 class, but if his breakout season continues with Ramsey passing him the ball, he could be a solid late-round option. IC

Notre Dame defensive backfield has more NFL talent outside of Owusu-Koramoah (6:45 PM)

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the headliner among Notre Dame’s linebacker and defensive back units, and with good reason; he’s the only draft-eligible player who’s pieced together talent and consistency in 2020. But regardless, there are other players to watch, either as 2022 targets or potential late-round/PFA developmental prospects in 2021.

Kyle Hamilton stands out as the next-best NFL-caliber talent. Standing at 6-foot-4, Hamilton is an elite athlete with impressive range and instincts at all areas of the field, and although he’s only a sophomore, he should compete for one of the top safety spots whenever he comes out.

There’s also Nick McCloud, a graduate transfer cornerback with very good straight-line athleticism for his 6-foot-1 frame. McCloud has been inconsistent, particularly against curl and comeback routes, and needs to improve his short-range agility and awareness. Still, his mirroring ability, length, and ball skills, evidenced by his one interception and six deflections this season, gives him the kind of upside that NFL teams may bank on late in the draft. IC

Ian Book’s NFL projection unclear, but foundation is there with mobility and drive (6:40 PM)

If you only look at the stats, you might see Ian Book as a potential Day 2 player. He’s not that; the tape makes that pretty clear. But Book might have an NFL future, regardless. His arm isn’t anything to write home about, and he has a game manager feel more than anything else as a passer. But he also has some traits that could serve him well in camp battles in the months to come.

Today, against the Boston College Eagles, Book has 267 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, and he also has a score on the ground. Book is a decent athlete for his size, and his competitive toughness as a player should earn him a chance at a backup job in 2021, even if his arm and inconsistency may prevent him from ever being a starter. IC

Tracking back to recognize standout performance from Miami DL Jaelan Phillips (6:30 PM)

We touched on the Miami-Virginia Tech game earlier by going over the matchup between Christian Darrisaw and Quincy Roche. On the other side of the line, junior defensive end Jaelan Phillips stood out and managed 2.5 sacks in a very impressive showing.

Phillips stands at 6-foot-5, 266, and moves very well for his size, offering great explosiveness off the line. His incredible length and anchor gives him the potential to shift around the line and provide some utility inside, and he’s an underrated draft prospect who could go higher than his current buzz indicates. Edge rushers are always valued highly in scouts’ eyes, and if those edge rushers have some inherent versatility, they can garner even more interest. IC

Ben Skowronek mars career day with a fumble, but still deserves attention (6:05 PM)

Ben Skowronek just lost a fumble after catching a pass down the middle of the field, resulting in a turnover for the Notre Dame offense. Despite this, Skowronek has generally been solid today, mounting a career game catching passes from quarterback Ian Book.

The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Skowronek has five catches for 67 yards and three scores through two and a half quarters. He isn’t the best athlete, but he clearly knows how to use his size to win in contested situations, as he’s shown on a couple of his touchdown catches. Notre Dame now leads by over three touchdowns, and Skowronek has been a critical component in solidifying that margin. IC

Peyton Ramsey finds the end zone for Northwestern in first quarter vs. Purdue (5:45 PM)

In an undefeated Big Ten competition, Northwestern leads the Purdue Boilermakers 7-0, courtesy of an early touchdown strike from senior quarterback Peyton Ramsey. Ramsey helped lead his team down into the red zone, then nicely timed a slant pass into the middle third of the field, hitting a tight window for the score.

Tony brought up Ramsey in his debut a few weeks ago and noted that while Ramsey doesn’t have a ton of upside, his aggressive style and experience will give him some utility as a late-round pick or a potential free agent. Ramsey likely won’t have a future as anything more than a backup or depth signal-caller, but depth at the quarterback position is about as vital as it’s ever been at the NFL level. IC

Another week, another stellar showing by Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (5:30 PM)

Way back in August, our own A.J. Schulte foretold of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s 2020 breakout, stating that the Notre Dame defender was the NFL’s next star hybrid player. No need to call Old Takes Exposed on this man because so far in 2020, his take is one-hundred percent correct, and then some.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been one of Notre Dame’s best players, providing elite play week in and week out. Notre Dame doesn’t have an overwhelming talent base on offense, but their talent elsewhere makes up for it, and Owusu-Koramoah is just one example. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound defender can defend the run, play in zone, and match receivers in man coverage with his athleticism, as he just showed against BC receiver Zay Flowers. Owusu-Koramoah’s versatility could ultimately push him into the first round if he keeps producing the way he has been. IC

Purdue WR David Bell a must-watch as Rondale Moore prolongs the wait for his return (5:20 PM)

In Moore’s absence, one Purdue wideout to watch in his place is David Bell. Bell, a sophomore, has filled the void left by Moore this season, with 22 receptions, 243 yards, and four touchdowns through the first two games. Bell might just be a star in the making in his own right; at 6-foot-2, 205, he has very good size, and he’s also an impressive athlete with insane ball-tracking ability and body control in midair.

Bell isn’t draft-eligible yet, but his sophomore breakout could put him in line to be one of the top receiver prospects early on in the 2022 NFL Draft cycle. And as long as Rondale Moore misses more time, Bell’s workload won’t get any smaller. IC

Rondale Moore misses another game, further delaying his 2020 season debut (5:15 PM)

Northwestern and Purdue are kicking off their game now, but the Boilermakers are again short-staffed, as they’ll be without All-American wide receiver Rondale Moore. This marks the third game of the 2020 season that Moore will miss with a lower-body injury.

Moore has undeniable dynamic ability when on the field, but his inability to get back on the field is at least notable. He missed all but four games in 2019 with a hamstring injury, and it’s taking longer than expected for him to reprise his availability for Jeff Brohm’s squad in 2020. Will there be a point when Moore’s injury history becomes a red flag for evaluators? IC

USC safeties legitimizing NFL Draft ascension early in Arizona game (5:10 PM)

Tony reported earlier that USC safeties Isaiah Pola-Mao and Talanoa Hufanga were planning on entering the 2021 NFL Draft, and early on in the team’s Pac-12 matchup against the Arizona Wildcats, they’re legitimizing their stake in that conversation. Hufanga logged an interception early in this one, picking off Arizona quarterback Grant Gunnell on third down.

While both safeties have some appealing traits, Tony mentioned that he stamped both as sixth-round prospects before the season, and it’s clear they still have much to prove before they can maximize their stock. Hufanga, in particular, has displayed some speed and agility limitations in the past, and he might be better suited as a box safety at the next level. Pola-Mao has more upside; he brings legitimate range and has a massive 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. IC

Midday slate feels noticeably empty amid cancellations and postponements (5:00 PM)

We still have the pleasure of watching two battles with top-25 contenders and plenty of NFL Draft talent to go around, but Week 11’s midday slate does feel relatively empty, with just four contests currently underway. Over a dozen games were either canceled or postponed this week, including marquee matchups like Ohio State vs. Maryland and Alabama vs. LSU.

As we get further into the late autumn-winter transition, this trend may continue to grow. Discipline and diligence with health and safety protocols will be imperative if teams want to stay on the field and avoid sweeping schedule changes. IC

Louisiana-Lafayette has a legitimate playmaker in their secondary (4:40 PM)

Every week, I feel obligated to try and pinpoint at least one small-school defensive back sleeper for you guys. This week, the choice is pretty clear: Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler is making a name for himself as one of the most impactful defenders in the Sun Belt Conference.

After producing at a minimal clip in 2018 and 2019, the junior has an interception, two forced fumbles, and six pass deflections in seven games. Today, as Louisiana-Lafayette leads the South Alabama Jaguars 31-10, Butler has a pick and a forced fumble, and he’s played a significant role in generating both momentum and points for his team. A former receiver recruit, Butler, has good athleticism and length at 6-foot-0, 190, and he’s showing off his ball skills in conjunction with his foundational traits. IC

USC veteran receiver Tyler Vaughns off to slow start in 2020 season (4:30 PM)

The USC Trojans receiving core came into the 2020 season with a strong brand of name recognition, with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Vaughns, and Drake London all reprising their roles as future draft prospects. St. Brown lived up to those expectations in the team’s debut, but the elder Tyler Vaughns has not fared as well through two appearances.

Vaughns did catch a pass for a first down early in USC’s showdown with Arizona today. Still, aside from his occasional contributions, he’s looked uneven and not as dynamic this season, with drops and penalties both sullying his outlook. Vaughns’ 2019 tape painted him as an underrated receiver with good athleticism, contested-catch ability, and route running nuance, but it’s taking longer than expected for him to find a rhythm this season. IC

Phil Jurkovec’s arm catching eyes in matchup with second-ranked Notre Dame (4:25 PM)

The Boston College Eagles are currently tied with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, courtesy of a recent touchdown thrown by intriguing quarterback Phil Jurkovec. The former Notre Dame commit helped Boston College drive to the red zone, where he was then able to push a pass into the back corner where only his receiver could get it, using his arm talent and torque.

Jurkovec, just a redshirt sophomore, might not be a name to watch for the 2021 NFL Draft, but whenever he declares, he’ll have some appeal as a big-bodied passer with good arm elasticity and decent mobility. He’s not great under pressure, and he does have some things to clean up, but there’s a nice, well-rounded base of talent to work with, and he could make this a game between the Irish and the Eagles. IC

Chazz Surratt again flashes upside in North Carolina victory against Wake Forest (4:10 PM)

Speed kills. That’s a fact, and it’s just as accurate on defense as it is on offense. The North Carolina-Wake Forest game was a showcase full of playmaking ability. Still, it was ultimately decided when Tar Heels linebacker swooped in to sack Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman on fourth down.

Surratt can stand to add more to his frame, and he’s not yet a complete weapon in all phases, but as Neal Driscoll has mentioned in his draft profile of Surratt, the former quarterback truly excels as a blitzer. His searing speed allows him to shoot through lanes in the protection, and he’s very intuitive when pursuing the passer. Surratt now has five sacks on the year, a number that only emphasizes his extraordinary potential. IC

Christian Darrisaw continues to rise, may enter first-round conversation at tackle (4:00 PM)

The 2021 NFL Draft’s offensive tackle class looks better every day, and while there’s a fairly established group at the top, that echelon has been challenged in 2020 by Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, presently a junior. Darrisaw took on Day 2 edge prospect Quincy Roche in the Hokies’ game against Miami, and he came out unscathed, earning a clear win in what looked like a more contentious matchup.

Darrisaw can stand to improve his proactivity as a blocker when managing space, but he moves very well for his 6-foot-5, 314-pound frame, and he’s still very long, physical, and quick out of his stance. Smooth movers at Darrisaw’s size don’t come very often, and his withstanding upside, combined with his youth, might make him a very enticing tackle prospect in next year’s draft. He’s not a consensus first-round pick yet, but he’s definitely trending in that direction. IC

Liberty keeps rolling behind the playmaking ability of QB Malik Willis (3:50 PM)

The Liberty Flames are now 8-0 after beating down on the Western Carolina Catamounts, and as has been the case all season, one of the biggest reasons for their success is junior quarterback Malik Willis, who scored five total touchdowns and logged over 400 total yards.

Willis is far from a lock to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, and he may not rise above the Day 3 conversation either way. Still, he’s repeatedly flashed several intriguing traits, chief among them his athleticism, pocket movement, and deep passing ability. Willis has 15 passing touchdowns to just one interception on the year, and if he keeps up his current pace, he could start to earn more attention on the draft circuit. IC

More Trojan underclassmen making the jump to the NFL? (3:25 PM)

USC is about to kick-off against Arizona after their dramatic comeback victory over Arizona State a week ago.  Several USC juniors have stated their intentions to enter next April’s draft, and more are coming.

Defensive tackle Jay Tufele opted out of the season to prepare for the draft.  Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker initially opted out of the season to do much the same but returned once the PAC 12 announced they would play this fall.  I’m told his plans still include entering the draft once the season is over, a similar plan that will be followed by receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Sources tell me two junior safeties, Isaiah Pola-Mao and Talanoa Hufanga, are also likely to enter the draft.  I stamped both as sixth-round prospects before the season.

Pat Freiermuth – Causing an impact even when he’s not catching passes (3:15 PM)

Expectations are Penn State junior Pat Freiermuth will enter the draft then battle Kyle Pitts of Florida for the top spot at the tight end position next April.  While Pitts is a terrific move tight end who plays the position like a big possession receiver, Freiermuth is a little more complete and polished.

Penn State is making their way back against Nebraska and is within striking distance of tying the game after being down by 21 points at halftime.  Freiermuth helped lead the offensive comeback with five receptions for 97 yards after the scoring side of the ball was dormant in the first half.  What stands out about the big tight end is the respect he commands.  If he’s not the primary target, Freiermuth is repeatedly being double teamed by opponents, which eventually allows his teammates to come free as open targets for their quarterback.

D.J. Scaife Jr. continues to show next-level potential (3:05 PM)

DJ Scaife Jr., the junior guard from Miami, is someone I handed a sixth-round grade over the summer, and he’s played even better this season.  The interior offensive lineman is explosive, nasty but also shows a degree of agility and skill blocking in motion.  He’s a terrific leader on the offensive line and has starting potential for the next level.

There’s something to like about Patrice Rene (2:40 PM)

North Carolina corner Patrice Rene was graded as a PFA entering the 2019 season but was sidelined after just two games with an injury.  He returned this year with the same grade from scouts and myself, and Rene has shown enough ability to pique people’s interest.  He’s a tall defensive back with nice size, measuring 6-feet-1.5-inches and over 205 pounds, and he’s a physical defensive back (eight tackles today).

Rene must polish his ball skills but has the potential to line up as a dime back in zone coverage, and he may even get looks inside at safety by NFL teams.

Is Wiggins turning the corner? (2:30 PM)

Dee Wiggins caught just 20 passes last season as a sophomore, but I saw enough ability to grade him as a sixth-round prospect.  He was slow out of the gate this year, catching just seven passes in four games, but has since caught fire.  Last week against NCSU, the junior totaled seven receptions for 77 yards with one TD.  This week against Virginia Tech, Wiggins already has seven receptions for 96 yards as the third quarter is closing out.

There is a lot to like about Wiggins game.  He’s an agile receiver with excellent length and enough speed to take it deep.  He has tremendous upside, and once Wiggins displays himself to be the Hurricanes number one pass-catching threat, as he has the past two weeks, a march up draft boards is very possible.

Indiana defensive prospects getting lost in the shuffle (2:15 PM)

With all the terrific play by the Indiana offense this season, the defense often gets lost in the shuffle.  That side of the ball has done an excellent job helping keep Indiana undefeated and are at it once again, shutting out Michigan State 24-0.  Despite losing star linebacker Marcelino Ball before the season started, two additional next-level prospects at the position are worth mentioning.

Micah McFadden has led the Hoosiers in tackles this season and is doing so again today, with six tackles and one for loss as the second half gets underway.  James Miller is also having a solid day after a slow start to the season with four tackles.

Presently I grade both juniors as PFA, but they both have the potential to move into draftable range if they continue to progress.

T.J. Simmons:  Good News/Bad News Scenario for the WVU receiver (2:00 PM)

West Virginia wideout T.J. Simmons entered the season on the cusp of being a very late-round draft pick.  The good news is the nice sized wideout still shows a lot of big play ability.  He’s caught two passes today for 40 yards with one TD against TCU.  Coming into today’s matchup, Simmons was averaging 19.9 yards per catch over the previous five games.  The problem for Simmons is erratic production to the point of pedestrian receiving stats.  In six games this season, including today’s TCU contest, Simmons has totaled 13 receptions.  As a junior, it was 35 receptions.

Simmons comes with terrific size, speed as well as solid ball skills.  But he must quickly elevate his production to have any chance of being drafted next April.

Naquan Jones – How the mighty have fallen (1:15 PM)

There was a time after his sophomore season when scouts graded Naquan Jones as a potential Day 2 pick. But like his draft stock, Jones’ play has steadily regressed. He’s a big-bodied athlete that previously displayed playmaking skill and dominant power. Lately, he looks like nothing other than a big-bodied lineman who only takes up space.

Coming into the Indiana game, Jones was rotating on the line and never displayed his previous dominance. In the initial three games this season, he totaled seven tackles and 1.5 TFL. Today, he’s been credited with two tackles.

Ty Fryfogle doing it again! (12:55 PM)

I’ve mentioned Indiana receiver Ty Fryfogle and his teammate Whop Philyor in past game day blogs. I’ve also noted that while scouts grade Philyor as a fifth-round prospect and Fryfogle as a UDFA, the spread between the two is minimal on my board as both carry sixth-round grades. Fryfogle is once again up to his play-making ways as undefeated Indiana is up on Michigan State by two touchdowns.

Fryfogle has already caught five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown as the first quarter closes out.  His touchdown reception came as Fryfogle fought for yardage after the catch and broke into the end zone. He’s a big-bodied receiver with adequate speed. If I was to make a comparison at this point, it would be to former Minnesota receiver Tyler Johnson, now catching passes for the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Dyami Brown continues to improve (12:40 PM)

I graded Dyami Brown as a potential second-day pick entering the season and still have the dynamic wideout graded as a late third-round pick.  After watching him the past month, I should rethink that opinion.

In the 2019 film, Brown displayed himself as a game-breaking pass catcher with home run hitting speed. He’s hit a fair number of home runs this year but has also developed a completeness to his game. On successive plays, Brown made a terrific deep reception of 54 yards, where he swiped the ball away from the defensive back, then made a crushing block on the next down to secure a six-yard gain by his teammate, Dazz Newsome.

North Carolina eventually connected on a field goal to take a three-point lead.

The limitations of Quinton Bohanna (12:30 PM)

There’s a lot of love for Kentucky defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna in a variety of circles. Some in the scouting community grade him as an early fifth-round pick, while others in the internet world believe he could sneak into the second round.  I don’t know about that.

When my grades are released this week, you’ll see I have Bohanna graded as a late sixth-round prospect.

The senior is a big, wide-bodied lineman who takes up a ton of space and clogs the middle but doesn’t do much more than that.  Bohanna is almost singularly a gap occupier for the next level and someone that’s going to have to slim down his reported 350-pound frame as well as improve his conditioning if he wants a career in the NFL.

Virginia Tech ball carrier all over draft boards (12:10 PM)

During last week’s mailbag, I touched lightly on Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert, now playing Miami on ESPN.  The Kansas transfer, who is sizzling this season despite never being graded by scouts entering the campaign, is all over draft boards.  I presently grade Herbert as an early Day 3 pick, which seems to be the majority opinion in the scouting community. There is a thought from some that Herbert could eventually be a second-day pick and will be a top-five back in April’s draft.

Credit to the Pac-12 (12 PM EST)

The Pac-12 was forced to cancel two games this weekend due to COVID-19 issues: Utah at UCLA and Cal at Arizona State.  So what did they do?  The next best thing.  Cal will travel to UCLA tomorrow for an unusual 9:00 AM west coast Sunday kick-off, as those programs did not have or cause the issues which forced the cancellation of the two games.  For Cal, this is critical as their first game of the season was canceled last week due to COVID issues.

The game is a 12:00 noon EST kick-off on FS1.

Hula Bowl intends to move forward in January and capitalize on the cancellation of other postseason scouting events

Let’s start off with a bit of good news.

On Thursday, I reported on Twitter that it’s full steam ahead for the Hula Bowl, as the postseason scouting event intends to have practices and a game in January. With the Shrine Bowl announcing its cancellation last month and the NFLPA Game following suit, the Hula Bowl has an opportunity to invite prime talent that would otherwise not be attending the event.

I’m told almost a dozen invitations will be sent out Monday in the first batch. Included in them will be Oregon cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (who is graded as early as the third round by scouts), Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (graded as early as a fourth-round prospect by scouts) and Notre Dame offensive lineman Thomas Kraemer.

The event will follow Hawaii’s COVID-19 protocols, and all interviews with NFL scouts will be done via Zoom. The Hula Bowl intends to live stream all practices and expects to have fans attend the game, though it will be at reduced capacity.

It’s great to see an All-Star game with a rich history that dates back to 1946 moving forward. Eric Dickerson, Dan Marino, Kenny Easley and Al Toon are just some of the NFL legends who played in past Hula Bowls.

While there are no concrete plans for the Senior Bowl as of yet or at least none that I’ve heard, the event is thankfully moving forward; fingers crossed!

Week 11 College Football TV Schedule: How and Where to Watch

See below for all of the Week 11 college football games today. Find out what time each game kicks off along with the channel they will be broadcast on.

Week 11 College Football Early Afternoon Schedule

• #9 Miami at Virginia Tech – 12 PM ET | ESPN
• #10 Indiana at Michigan St. – 12 PM ET | ABC
• #15 Coastal Carolina at Troy – 12 PM ET | ESPN2
• Middle Tennessee at #16 Marshall – 12 PM ET | CBSSN
• Western Carolina at #22 Liberty – 12 PM ET | ESPNU
• Army at Tulane – 12 PM ET | ESPN+
• Penn State at Nebraska – 12 PM ET | FS1
• Illinois at Rutgers – 12 PM ET | BTN
• Wake Forest at North Carolina – 12 PM ET | ACCN
• TCU at West Virginia – 12 PM ET | FOX
• Vanderbilt at Kentucky – 12 PM ET | SECN
• Gardner Webb at Charlotte – 12 PM ET | ESPN3
• South Alabama at #25 Louisiana – 2 PM ET | ESPN+
• Georgia St. at Appalachian St. – 2:30 PM ET | ESPN+
• Fresno St. at Utah St. – 2:30 PM ET | FS2

Late Afternoon Schedule

• UTEP at UTSA – 3 PM ET | ESPN+
• North Texas at UAB – 3 PM ET
• #2 Notre Dame at Boston College – 3:30 PM ET | ABC
• #20 USC at Arizona – 3:30 PM ET | FOX
• Southern Miss at Western Kentucky – 3:30 PM ET | CBSSN
• Rice at Louisiana Tech – 3:30 PM ET | ESPN3
• South Florida at Houston – 3:30 PM ET | ESPN2
• Texas State at Georgia Southern – 3:30 PM ET | ESPN3
• Louisville at Virginia – 3:30 PM ET | ACCN
• Colorado at Stanford – 3:30 PM ET | ESPN
• Hawai’i at San Diego St. – 4 PM ET
• Baylor at Texas Tech – 4 PM ET | FS1
• Nevada at New Mexico – 6:30 PM ET | FS2

Week 11 College Football Primetime Schedule

• Arkansas at #6 Florida – 7 PM ET | ESPN
• #11 Oregon at Washington St. – 7 PM ET | FOX
• #19 SMU at Tulsa – 7 PM ET | ESPN2
• Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech – 7 PM ET | ESPN3
• #13 Wisconsin at Michigan – 7:30 PM ET | ABC
• #23 Northwestern at Purdue – 7:30 PM ET | BTN
• Temple at UCF – 7:30 PM ET | ESPNU
• Florida State at NC State – 7:30 PM ET | ACCN
• South Carolina at Ole Miss – 7:30 PM ET | SECN

Week 11 College Football Late Night Schedule

• UNLV at San Jose St. – 10:30 PM ET | FS2
• Cal at Arizona St. – 10:30 PM ET | ESPN2
• Utah at UCLA – 10:30 PM ET | FOX
• Oregon St. at Washington – 11 PM ET | FS1