If Missouri is to beat No. 1 Oklahoma today, it will be because of the play of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. We've been slow-playing Gabbert's pro potential all season. He could push his way into the upper echelon of prospects with a good game and a win today. Gabbert plays in a gimmicky offense, so it's a little hard to judge his game. Watch what he does pre-snap, though. That's what can separate top quarterback prospects from stat stuffers.
Saturday NFL Draft watch notes
Should Gabbert be successful, it might be thanks to a bad game from Oklahoma free safety Quinton Carter. But going by how Carter has played this season, that's unlikely to happen. Carter is a dynamic safety who plays the run and pass well. He may never be a superstar in the pros, but he's solid.
One superstar out of today's game could be Oklahoma junior outside linebacker Travis Lewis. He leads the team with 59 tackles and is a to-the-ball linebacker. He can fly. So can end Jeremy Beal. He's a little hard to project to the next level, but it's impossible to dislike his pass rush skills.
The top matchup of the weekend is Oklahoma State redshirt sophomore wide receiver Justin Blackmon going against Nebraska's Prince Amukamara. Blackmon is averaging 159 yards receiving a game and is physical. But his strengths play to Amukamara's. Can you say statement game for Amukamara? The debate on Amukamara vs. Patrick Peterson will go on until draft day. Amukamara can help his cause today.
Another great matchup is in the Kansas State/Baylor game. Don't scoff. Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor has the size at 340 pounds and strength to collapse the pocket and disrupt running back Daniel Thomas. Both are having good years, but getting little attention.
Some people have been calling Iowa's Adrian Clayborn a top five player. If you are one of those people, please tell me why. Clayborn is good. And I know he's been getting double-teamed all season. But at some point he has to start making plays. He could line up against Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin today. Carimi, with some help, shut down Ohio State's Cameron Heyward last week.
If your team needs a penetrating defensive tackle, make sure to tune into the LSU/Auburn game. Drake Nevis has been a terror for LSU all season and Auburn's Nick Fairley has been a revelation.
LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard also has a chance to shine today. It's not mystery that Auburn's Cam Newton will get to the second level with the ball. It will be Sheppard's task to spy Newton and limit his running.
As always, make sure to check out tweets from Chris Steuber of NFL Draft Scout. He’ll clue you in on which scouts are at what games.
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