Like Cam Newton against Alabama, today should be a good barometer for Arkansas' Ryan Mallett against LSU. Mallett struggled against the Crimson Tide and needs a big game against a good defense to push him ahead of Washington's Jake Locker as a prospect. LSU gets a lot of pressure up front which could screw up Mallett's already questionable footwork.
There has been some buzz that Missouri redshirt sophomore Aldon Smith will turn pro after this season. Smith, an end, projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. He's battled injuries most of this season and has said he'll back in Missouri in 2011. But if he has a good game against Kansas today, don't be surprised if he turns pro.
Similarly, USC junior defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is facing questions about turning pro. Trojans coach Lane Kiffin called Casey the team's most consistent player all season. On the year, he has 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. With USC under NCAA sanction, expect Casey to come out. That is, unless he struggles against Notre Dame today and UCLA next week.
Saturday NFL Draft watch notes
Did you know Miami wide receiver
has 12 touchdowns this season? Quietly, he’s inched ahead of several senior wide receiver and should be viewed as a solid No. 2 target. Teams in need of a big receiver may look at Hankerson before someone like Terrence Toliver.
If you get ESPN3, flip over to the Hawaii/New Mexico State game today. Don't forget that the Aggies' Davon House is one of the nation's best cornerbacks. In Hawaii's fast break offense, we'll get to see if House can cover slants.
Leading into the season, an NFL scouting service gave Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle a second round projection. That projection will change following a rough year for Enderle. He has 21 touchdowns but 15 interceptions while completing only 56.9 percent of his passes. Enderle's biggest issues has been inconsistency. The more you watch Enderle, the more he looks like a practice squad quarterback.
