Each week, The Game Haus will highlight five players to watch from college football games featuring Top 25 teams. From established stars to players on the verge of breaking out, we’ll offer some names to remember every week of the college football season.
Here’s a look at five players to watch for Week Two (All times Eastern):
Deebo Samuel (Photo by thestate.com)
Matchup: vs. No. 3 Georgia, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Breakdown: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is a big fan of the all-purpose Gamecock, who could be an X-factor when the Bulldogs visit South Carolina in a stellar SEC opener for both teams. Two years ago, Samuel caught four passes for 90 yards and scored on a 9-yard run despite the Gamecocks losing 28-14 to Georgia at home. Back from last season’s leg injury, Samuel is ready to be a factor once again for South Carolina.
Matchup: vs. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Breakdown: Franks enjoyed quite a season opener with five first-half touchdown passes against an overmatched Charleston Southern squad last weekend. Things will be tougher this time around, and Franks must display that confidence gained in Week One as SEC play begins. He also must continue to prove that new coach Dan Mullen made the right choice by giving him the keys to the offense.
Matchup: at No. 10 Stanford, 8:30 p.m., Saturday
Breakdown: One of the best linebackers in the country, Smith is the anchor of USC’s defense. Though the Trojans pulled away to beat UNLV last weekend, they allowed 308 rushing yards to the Rebels. And now they face Bryce Love, who totaled 285 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in two games against the Trojans last season. USC won them both, but Smith and his defensive teammates must be at their best on Saturday night.
Tyler Horton (Photo by idahopress.com)
Matchup: vs. Connecticut, 10:15 p.m., Saturday
Breakdown: After returning two fumbles for touchdowns in last week’s rout of Troy, the Broncos cornerback might be in for an encore in the home opener. The Huskies would seem to be overmatched in this contest and might be throwing often to catch up. That’s where the senior captain and 2017 All-Mountain West first-team selection can again show his opportunistic nature as one of the players to watch this week.
Matchup: at Arizona State, 10:45 p.m., Saturday
Breakdown: Scott faces a daunting task this week in the desert. Arizona State held Texas-San Antonio to a total of two rushing yards during its 49-7 season-opening rout. The Spartans are obviously a better team and Scott is one of the more underrated backs in the Big Ten, but he needed 23 carries to grind out 84 yards (3.7 average) and failed to score against Utah State, while teammate Connor Heyward gained 42 on just five attempts and scored twice.
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