College football Week 7: 15 players to watch

Bachmeier has done a fantastic job replacing four-year starter Brett Rypien. He is averaging nearly 300 yards passing a game and hasn't thrown an interception in the last two games. He is improving each week, though most people remember his tremendous comeback against Florida State in the season opener. This week Boise State takes on Hawaii, which is known to get into some shootouts (we'll get more into that in a moment), in what could be a preview of the Mountain West championship game. 

Hawaii has typically had a high-flying offense that chugs along no matter who the quarterback or receivers are. This season the Rainbow Warriors have two stud receivers in Byrd and JoJo Ward. Byrd is second nationally in touchdown receptions with nine, which ties his output from the entire 2018 season. In Hawaii's opener against Arizona, he caught 14 passes for 224 yards and four TDs. This week is a huge game at Boise State and one where the Warriors could put the rest of the country on notice that they are not just a gimmick offense.

Last week we touched on how well Clifford has performed this year. He's been efficient (67 percent completion percentage) and has tossed 12 touchdowns to just two picks. The Nittany Lions have run the ball well this season with a deep stable of backs, but if they want to get past a tough Iowa defense this week it will be on Clifford's arm. This is easily Penn State's biggest challenge thus far this season, and it will be interesting to see if Clifford can continue to own the offense and how he handles adversity. An impressive offensive showing here could build the confidence needed to get through a tough stretch of upcoming games. 

Duffey came on in relief during the Red Raiders' blowout loss to Oklahoma two weeks ago and then earned the starting nod last week against Oklahoma State. He rewarded the coaches' trust by passing for 424 yards and four touchdowns in the upset win over the Cowboys. Duffey has had a tough road of sorts at Tech where he was suspended from the team in 2017 and then started three games last year as injuries depleted the quarterback spot. A new coaching staff, and Duffey still had to overcome being buried on the depth chart. Now he has some life with Alan Bowman injured and had a big game against a ranked team. This week is the same, as Tech travels to face No. 22 Baylor.

Ehlinger flies a bit under the radar as other big-name quarterbacks around the country get much of the publicity. All he's done is rank in the top 20 in passing yards, and his 17 pass TDs are fifth-best. Ehlinger really broke out in last year's Red River Rivalry when he threw for 314 yards and two TDs and also ran for 72 yards and three scores as he went toe-to-toe with eventual Heisman winner Kyler Murray. He repeated that outstanding performance against Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. The only problem is that while the Longhorns played well, they lost both times. Ehlinger gets another shot at the Sooners in Dallas and wants to bring the win back to Austin. 

One of my favorite names for a running back, Kenneth Gainwell has been on a tear of late. He's averaged over 152 yards the last three games and has scored at least one touchdown over the last four. Last week against Louisiana-Monroe, the freshman racked up 209 yards and two touchdowns and has become much more comfortable in the passing game (42 yards last week). Memphis has been dominant all season and goes up against Temple in a big AAC battle. With the conference now officially out of the tight grip of UCF, it is anyone's league to win. Gainwell has been getting stronger...as have the Tigers. 

He's played in the Iron Bowl and national championship games, so if anyone was prepared to play in his first Red River Rivalry game it would be Jalen Hurts. Hurts has been fantastic this year and is the early front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. He has completed 75 percent of his passes for 1,523 yards and 14 touchdowns and leads the Sooners with 499 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. This game has been a big launching pad for quarterbacks in recent years and while Hurts has certainly already arrived, there are many who still don't fully believe he can keep this up. We'll see at the Shootout at the Cotton Bowl.

Saturday night football in Baton Rouge is one of college football's most special experiences, and we are treated to a big one this weekend. LSU hosts Florida in a big SEC battle that has national championship implications. Jefferson is coming off a huge game against a good Utah State defense last week, catching nine passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He's had three explosive games in the last four weeks...including a 163-yard and three-TD effort against Texas. Big players show up in big games, and Jefferson is certainly a big-time player.

It was too easy last week for the Fighting Irish against Bowling Green, but it sure was a sight for sore eyes to see Jones have a second straight game rushing over 100 yards. The Irish have struggled this season establishing the run but found some success in a win over Virginia two weeks ago — especially Jones. Last week the entire offense got loose, but it was important to see Jones gain 102 yards (on just seven carries) and increase his per-carry average to 6.9. The Irish welcome rival USC into South Bend, and if Jones can continue his hot streak then Notre Dame may make a serious playoff run. 

If the Aggies are going to pull an upset of Alabama, Mond is going to have to have a monumental game. Last year he threw for 196 yards and rushed for another 98 yards while throwing and rushing for a touchdown. But he also threw two costly interceptions and was sacked seven times. He's played well in these kinds of big games over the last two years...like two games against Clemson and a loss to Auburn earlier this year. He'll need to bring that kind of energy if A&M is going to finally cash in on one of these big matchups.

Wednesday night football returns! You may scoff but Appalachian State-Louisiana is a huge game in the Sun Belt conference and one worth watching. The Ragin' Cajuns boast a great running attack led by Ragas, a junior from New Orleans. He has run for at least 129 yards in three of his last four games (he had only seven carries for 96 yards in the one he didn't — a 77-6 win) and has scored a touchdown in all five of Louisiana's games. In two games against the Mountaineers last season, Ragas combined for 182 yards and a TD. 

Smith has played in two SEC games this season. In his first one, against South Carolina, he caught eight passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. In Alabama's last game, against Ole Miss, he caught 11 passes for 274 yards and five TDs. Yes. Two games and he's caught 19 passes for 409 yards and seven touchdowns! The Crimson Tide continue their SEC slate with a matchup with Texas A&M in College Station. Can Smith keep this up?

Don't look now, but the Golden Gophers are 5-0 and are currently tied for the lead in the Big Ten West division. Smith, a senior who has been at Minnesota for six years, is playing at the level he was back in his sophomore season. Last week he ran for 211 yards against Illinois — his second straight week going over 100 yards. The last time Smith went up against Nebraska (Minnesota's opponent this week), he ran for 134 yards in a 54-21 win back in 2017. Smith suffered a knee injury in the second game of the 2018 season and was awarded a sixth season of eligibility for this year. 

Stingley has been everything as advertised as a local highly ranked prospect. The hometown kid has continued the Tigers' tradition of great defensive backs by becoming a lockdown corner this year. He already has two interceptions as well as eight passes defended and makes a secondary that already has Grant Delpit much more lethal. LSU has a huge tilt against Florida this Saturday night. 

Hard to believe that Tagovailoa has been a bit of a forgotten man this year. All he has done is throw an FBS-high 23 touchdowns this season and has yet to throw an interception. The Crimson Tide are rolling, and they look like they are one of the four best teams in the nation. Alabama, however, hasn't really played anyone of note thus far, which keeps Tua's detractors waiting for some stiffer competition. This week certainly constitutes a such a test with a road trip to Texas A&M on tap. Last year Tagovailoa went berserk on the Aggies, throwing for 387 yards and four TDs (he also rushed for another) in a 45-23 win. Kyle Field is tough on visitors, but Tua and the Tide should be up for the challenge.