Each week, The Game Haus has been highlighting five players to watch from college football games featuring Associated Press Top 25 teams. This weekend, we’ll feature conference championship players to watch over the 10 games with league titles on the line.
Here’s a look at five conference championship players to watch (All times Eastern):
Zack Moss, RB, No. 5 Utah
Matchup: vs. No. 13 Oregon, 8 p.m., Friday, Pac-12 Championship Game (Santa Clara, Calif.)
Breakdown: The Utes have an outside shot at a berth in the College Football Playoff, and Moss is a big reason why. The senior has rushed for a career-high 1,246 yards and has also set a personal best with 15 rushing touchdowns. He’s recorded 11 of those scores over a seven-game touchdown streak.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, No. 20 Appalachian State
Matchup: vs. Louisiana, Noon, Saturday, Sun Belt Championship Game
Breakdown: The Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, Davis-Gaither is also considered one of the top linebacker prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s recorded 85 tackles, 13 1/2 tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks, six pass breakups, six QB hurries and one interception.
Damonte Coxie, WR, No. 16 Memphis
Matchup: vs. No. 21 Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m., Saturday, American Athletic Conference Championship Game
Breakdown: Here’s one of our conference championship players to watch who is looking for a repeat of last weekend’s performance. In the Tigers’ 34-24 win over Cincinnati last week, Coxie made six catches for a season-high 145 yards and a touchdown. Is he in for another big effort against the Bearcats in the AAC title game?
Tee Higgins, WR, No. 3 Clemson
Matchup: vs. No. 22 Virginia, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, ACC Championship Game (Charlotte, N.C.)
Breakdown: We expect the Tigers to go off during the ACC title game. Higgins seems like a good bet to have an extensive role in the fun. With 900 yards, Higgins is 37 shy of a career best. He’s also caught seven of his 10 touchdowns over his last four games.
Zack Baun, LB, No. 10 Wisconsin
Matchup: vs. No. 2 Ohio State, 8 p.m., Saturday, Big Ten Championship Game (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Breakdown: The all-Big Ten First Team pick has 11 1/2 sacks and recorded 18 1/2 tackles for loss. He’s one of the best linebackers not only in the league, but in the nation. And with the Buckeyes on the docket for the Big Ten title game, he must play like it.
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