As the college football season heats up, the games become more important.
While some teams are still working through their non-conference schedule, which includes a fair share of “cupcakes,” some are beginning to play formidable opponents.
Buy Vikings TicketsAs the games become more critical, the tape becomes more valuable. While ripping through the defense of an FCS team can be fun, it won’t get a quarterback drafted. A strong performance against a Power 5 opponent, though? That will get you selected in the NFL Draft.
Here are the games this weekend that involve potential early-round quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Florida State QB Jordan Travis
Opponent: Away vs. Boston College (1-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: Noon ET
Network: ABC
What to watch for: After a slight tune-up game last week, Jordan Travis and the Florida State Seminoles head up north for the first conference game of the season. It will also be the first road test for Travis, as their game against LSU to open the season was a neutral site game in Orlando.
Travis needs to show that he can remove the boneheaded plays from his system and put together tape consistent with other NFL quarterbacks. He has the running ability to be considered a true dual-threat quarterback, but not being able to throw the ball consistently will put him behind the 8-ball.
Boston College should offer him a good test at that. Although they’re expected to finish near the bottom of the ACC, they still have some talented defenders. If Travis can build solid tape in games like this, his draft stock should rise.
North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Opponent: Home vs. Minnesota (2-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
What to watch for: This is an opportunity for Drake Maye to take over a game. While Maye’s played well to start the season, it feels like he hasn’t been able to take the keys and take control of the game. Maye will still get drafted high because of his incredible traits, but seeing him take over a game to help North Carolina win could help boost his stock.
Duke QB Riley Leonard
Opponent: Home vs. Northwestern (1-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Network: ACC Network
What to watch for: Riley Leonard is an incredibly high-level athlete who becomes a second threat in the running game. As a result, defenses have to treat him as another running back and add extra bodies into the fold.
However, Leonard has struggled to throw the ball consistently. Right now, Leonard looks more like Daniel Jones with a higher horse power. That’s good enough to get him drafted and give him a role in the NFL, but it might hurt his stock given some of Jones’ struggles.
Northwestern is a perfect opponent for Leonard to put together some good passing plays on tape. The Wildcats are currently undergoing a rebuild, and Duke is exponentially more talented.
Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed
Opponent: Away vs. Ohio State (2-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Network: FOX
What to watch for: Ohio State isn’t as good this year, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with, especially on defense. If Austin Reed wants to boost his draft stock, he needs to play well against opponents like Ohio State because these opportunities don’t come often.
He doesn’t need to win the game (WKU is significantly overmatched), but he needs to hold his own and find the end zone a few times. In terms of play-by-play tape, watch how Reed handles pressure because Ohio State should be able to get to Reed’s face a few times.
Washington QB Michael Penix, Jr.
Opponent: Away vs. Michigan State (2-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Network: Peacock
What to watch for: Michael Penix’s arm strength is still the best part of his game, and nothing through the first two games of the season has disproved that. However, if Penix wants to improve his draft stock, he needs to continue to showcase other things.
Firstly, he needs to remain healthy for the entire season. Injuries have plagued his career, and he’s struggled to stay on the field. If he can remain on the field and show the ability to work through his progressions at a consistent level, he can be a strong NFL Draft prospect.
Tennessee QB Joe Milton III
Opponent: Away vs. Florida (1-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
What to watch for: Joe Milton was a preseason darling for fans and media, but the beginning of the season hasn’t been promising for his NFL Draft chances. He’s put up good numbers, but the accuracy is all over the place, especially on deep throws.
The Florida game is his first chance to make a statement, and he desperately needs it for his NFL Draft chances. He’s not going to cost into being an early draft pick because he puts up numbers in a quarterback-friendly system. Milton has to show he can be an NFL-quality player, and now’s the time for him to do it.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
Opponent: Home vs. Bowling Green (1-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Network: Big10 Network
What to watch for: It’s another weak opponent for J.J. McCarthy, so we’ll keep this one short. McCarthy needs to continue to show he can read the field at a high level, but this game won’t boost his draft stock. Struggling will, however, so McCarthy needs to play at a high level.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers
Opponent: Home vs. Wyoming (2-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Network: Longhorn Network
What to watch for: Like McCarthy, Ewers’ draft stock isn’t going to soar after a game against Wyoming. However, if he can’t prove that he can continue throwing the ball deep at a high level, his chances could take a huge hit. He needs to continue the moments from last week and put together better tape against opponents like this.
Oregon QB Bo Nix
Opponent: Home vs. Hawai’i
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Network: Pac12 Network
What to watch for: This projects to be a run-heavy game for Oregon, who has chosen to take the ball out of Bo Nix’s hands in these tune-up games. If that’s the case, it’s unlikely that Nix will impact this game much. Regardless, Nix needs to show effective play with his opportunities and ensure he can keep the mistakes to a minimum.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Opponent: Home vs. Colorado
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
What to watch for: Shedeur Sanders has been the talk of the college football world, as he’s led Colorado to an undefeated start to the year. That start has put Colorado on College Gameday and made the stage for his performances even higher.
The only thing Sanders has to prove is consistency. This season, his tape has been littered with the things that can make a great NFL quarterback, but it’s still a small sample size. If he can continue to play at a high level, the first round will be nothing short of a guarantee for Sanders.
