Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: Big Ten and ACC
We will be reviewing the risers, fallers, a premier conference performer, and we will shine a spotlight on the top freshmen every week. These weekly recaps will keep you informed on the “hot” college players around the country and will make studying for your future rookie draft effortless.
BIG 10
Premier Conference Performer
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State (Junior)
30 carries, 214 yards, two touchdowns, two receptions, seven yards vs. Michigan
Elliott surpassed a lot of milestones in this game. This was his fifth 200-yard game of his career, tying Eddie George with the most in school history. Elliot ranks second in school history in rushing yardage trailing only Archie Griffin. He ran for his longest run of the day in the first quarter, where he blasted through the defense for a 66-yard gain. Later in the drive, he was able to punch the ball in for a 5-yard touchdown run.
Rising
Nate Sudfeld, QB Indiana (Senior)
18/29 passing, 350 yards, four touchdowns, three carries, 13 yards, one touchdown vs. Purdue
With the most memorable performance of his career, Sudfeld became the school’s career passing leader with 7,490 yards, surpassing Antwaan Randle El for the top spot in the record books. He did a good job at dissecting the defense with accurate pin point throws. He scored five touchdowns, one on the ground and four through the air. As a draft prospect, he is currently under the radar, but I expect his stock to go up during draft season.
Jordan Canzeri, RB Iowa (Senior)
17 carries, 140 yards, two touchdowns vs. Nebraska
Canzeri accounted for 56 percent of Iowa’s offensive production as the Hawkeyes only produced 250 total yards. In the third quarter, he found a rushing land and broke through the defense untouched for a 68-yard touchdown run. He surpassed 100-yards rushing for the fifth time this season and he currently ranks fifth in the Big Ten in rushing.
Aaron Burbridge, WR Michigan State (Senior)
Six catches, 75 yards, one touchdown, three caries, 16 yards vs. Penn State
He made an amazing play in the third quarter when he caught a pass from quarterback Connor Cook around the 10-yard line where he made two defenders miss before diving into the end zone. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (1,158) and receptions (75).
Falling
De’Veon Smith, RB Michigan (Junior)
10 carries, 23 yards vs. Ohio State
Smith plodded his way to just 2.3 yards per carry against a stout Ohio State defense. It was tough sledding for him. There were no lanes to run through, as he was often stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
Michael Thomas, WR Ohio State (Junior)
Two catches, 50 yards vs. Michigan
Thomas has only caught four passes in the last two games. He has struggled with drops and creating separation from defenders. He hasn’t been on the same page with quarterback J.T. Barrett. There hasn’t been enough passing volume in the offense to go around for him to have elite production. He has accounted for 13.78 percent of Ohio State’s offensive production this season.
Tommy Armstrong Jr., QB Nebraska (Junior)
25/45 passing, 296 yards, four interceptions, nine carries, 46 yards vs. Iowa
Armstrong single-handedly lost the game for Nebraska by throwing four interceptions. One of interceptions was returned for a touchdown. He threw another interception late in the fourth quarter that wound up being the final nail in the coffin for the Cornhuskers as they lost 28-20.
Freshman Spotlight
Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State (Freshman)
17 carries, 103 yards vs. Michigan State
Barkley has grown to be one of my favorite players in college football. He’s fun to watch. He’s dangerous with the ball in space and he has the ability to cut up the defense when he runs up the middle. In a losing effort, he was still able to eclipse the century mark in rushing. With five games of over 100-yards rushing, Barkley set a Penn State freshman rushing record of 1,007 yards.
ACC
Premier Conference Performer
Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State (Sophomore)
26 carries, 183 yards, two touchdowns, three catches, 11 yards vs. Florida
Cook rushed for 150 yards and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He took advantage of Florida’s gassed defensive line. This was his ninth 100-yard game of the season. He ranks fifth in the nation in rushing with 1,658 yards.
Rising
Elijah Hood, RB North Carolina (Sophomore)
21 carries, 220 yards, two touchdowns, one catch, four yards vs. North Carolina State
Hood’s physical running style wore down North Carolina State’s defense. He was able to score on two short yardage touchdowns. He surpassed 200 yards rushing for the first time in his career. He has rushed for over 100 yards in seven games this season. He ranks second in the ACC in rushing with 1,280 yards.
Wayne Gallman, RB Clemson (Sophomore)
19 carries, 102 yards, once catch, four yards vs. South Carolina
Clemson leaned on Gallman as their workhorse back. He was able to constantly churn out yards to keep the chains moving. He showcased his speed when ran through a seam and blazed through the second level of the defense for a 26-yard gain in the second quarter. He ranks third in the ACC in rushing with 1,145 yards.
Tyler Boyd, WR Pittsburgh (Junior)
Five catches, 70 yards, three carries, 47 yards vs. Miami
Boyd accounted for 117 yards of total offense. He has at least 40 yards rushing in each of his last four games. He caught a key 36-yard reception late in the fourth quarter that helped put the offense in scoring position. He currently ranks second in the ACC in receiving with 873 yards.
Falling
Shaquille Powell, RB Duke (Senior)
15 carries, 46 yards, once catch, one yard vs. Wake Forest
Powell has rushed for just 85 yards in his last three games. He is not finding the rushing lanes to run through, and his offensive line is not capable of sustaining their blocks. His production has been dismal this season with just 534 yards rushing.
Canaan Severin, WR Virginia (Senior)
Two catches, 34 yards, one touchdown vs. Virginia Tech
Severin struggled to create separation from the defensive backs, causing him to not get targeted as much in this game. He also dropped a few passes. It was easy to see that him and quarterback Matt Johns wasn’t on the same page.
Jeff Smith, QB Boston College (Freshman)
1/13 passing, nine yards, two interceptions, 13 carries, 117 yards vs. Syracuse
Smith accomplished a rare feat by passing for more interceptions than completions. He was inaccurate with most his throws. He was the main reason why Boston College lost. He couldn’t convert third downs, and his turnovers killed any chance of them winning the game.
Freshman Spotlight
Deon Cain, WR Clemson (Freshman)
Five catches, 96 yards, one touchdown vs. South Carolina
Quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with Cain for a 55-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Cain caught the ball over his shoulder while running in stride to beat the defensive back for the touchdown.
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