As the college football playoffs begin to take shape, there are several outstanding matchups this week, and 2027 NFL draft prospects are standing out. This is the week that has been circled on the calendar for Miami and Notre Dame prospects, who have not been particularly tested to date this season. Here's who to watch on the perfect November Saturday to sit and watch college football all day!
November 7, 7:30 pm EST
There are similarities between the two quarterbacks in this game. Both CJ Carr (Notre Dame) and Darian Mensah (Miami) lack the physical traits of someone like Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State). To be viewed as a top 50 pick, this game will carry weight in how they can make tight-window throws, particularly if the game is close.
Carr was not impressive in the BYU loss three weeks ago. His accuracy was not good enough, but he has the chance to perform better in this one. There is pressure on the Irish to win (as a two-loss Notre Dame is not a slam dunk for the College Football Playoff), and it will be fascinating to see how Carr handles things.
Miami has been tested on the scoreboard in two close games, including North Carolina in Week 9, but this is by far the best defense Mensah has faced this season. Coupled with a chilly South Bend and the home crowd, this will be one of the first games NFL scouts will watch should Mensah declare for the NFL Draft.
Notre Dame's CJ Carr warms up before a game vs. Navy at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.
There are lots of fun matchups of NFL Draft prospects in this one. Notre Dame edge rusher Boubacar Traore was ejected from the BYU game early in the first quarter, so hopefully he can stay on the field this week! He will face Miami left tackle Samson Okunlola, who will test whether he has NFL left tackle feet.
The Miami defensive tackle duo of Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten Sr. are top-50 rated prospects who play a lot of snaps. The matchup with Notre Dame left guard Anthonie Knapp will be fun. Knapp is listed at 305 lbs, but is tough and strong, and won't back down from Scott and Moten.
Oct 10, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) intercepts a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore is up there with Jeremiah Smith on many Draft boards. He's supremely talented, but with the asterisk that he has yet to be tested this year. Hopefully, we will see him matched up against Malachi Toney (2028 NFL Draft prospect) and rising prospect Cooper Barkate .
If the above wasn't enough, Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is a tough runner. Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will be trying to slow him down. Hopefully, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is close to being 100% healthy, as he has missed time this year, including Navy last week, with a thumb injury.
Two Friday night games don't carry the same gravitas as Saturday's games, but draftable talent is on show.
The best prospect in the Virginia Tech at SMU Friday night game (7:00 p.m., ESPN) is SMU left tackle PJ Williams. There is still inconsistency in his game, but he has upside.
For Tech, tight end Luke Reynolds is not the best blocker, but runs good routes and has soft hands. On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Kemari Copeland is a shorter prospect who flashes the ability to penetrate against the run, but must show more as a pass rusher.
TCU at Arizona is the late game (10:15 p.m., ESPN) and features TCU quarterback Jaden Craig. The Harvard transfer has been a little inconsistent in 2026, particularly against better opposition. This will give him the chance to put a positive game on tape for NFL scouts against an Arizona team that pushed Texas Tech in Lubbock last week.
Oct 17, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Jaden Craig (1) looks to pass against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
There's nothing like an early rivalry game to start your day. The "Holy War", BYU at Utah, kicks off at 10:00 a.m. local time (noon Eastern, ABC). The good news for BYU is that star running back LJ Martin is getting closer to a return from injury .
For Utah, offensive tackle Zereoue Williams is a rising prospect. Having been patient behind two first-round picks, he's getting his chance to shine and taking it.
In the 3:30 p.m. slot, there are two games, so two screens might be the way forward. Oregon at Ohio State (CBS) goes up against a classic SEC matchup in Alabama at LSU (ABC).
In terms of a pure scouting matchup, the pick from the two games is Alabama edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre against LSU left tackle Jordan Seaton. The LSU man lost weight to fit Lane Kiffin's system, and with Pierre being such a strong man, he will need to match that physicality.
Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams has battled injuries this season, but has eradicated the drops that plagued him last year. After missing the last two games, hopefully, he will be back this week and able to show off his undoubted talents.
It will be interesting to watch rising LSU edge rushers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross in this one. Against a physical Alabama offensive line, how do they hold up against the run? With NFL teams running more two- and three-tight-end formations, being able to hold up against the run is important.
While Oregon quarterback Dante Moore won't play again this season due to the lasting effects of the hit he took against USC in Week 4, the Ducks still have a talented team. Wide receiver Evan Stewart is now back after being out due to a DUI, and he has the chance to impress against a talented Ohio State defensive backfield featuring safety Jaylen McClain and cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr.
The other matchup pits Oregon defensive tackle duo A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander against an experienced Ohio State offensive line, including draftable prospects Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, and Carson Hinzman. This will be a game NFL scouts will watch early in their evaluations of these prospects, so impressing will carry weight.
If those matchups weren't enough for one week, the other big 7:30 p.m. game is Georgia's visit to Ole Miss (ABC). This will be a nice test for the Georgia defensive back duo Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden, should they be healthy. Robinson left the Georgia-Florida game early, and Bolden played hurt, so hopefully they will both play.
The Georgia defense will likely be trying to keep Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in the pocket. His stock seems to have fallen a little in recent weeks. If he can show NFL scouts he can produce from structure in the pocket, it will boost his grade.
Unfortunately, running back Kewan Lacy is out with a shoulder injury that seems to have been troubling him for a while now. This injury will draw close attention at the NFL Combine, as clearly, a running back's shoulder is going to take a lot of punishment.
The big matchups are so frequent this week that NFL scouts will be spread thin across the country. No doubt, NFL General Managers will be on the road to see prospects live.
While one game doesn't make or break a prospect, there's no question that the games above will carry more weight with NFL scouts. Every game is part of the scouting report, which is like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces this week are bigger.
The quarterback class this year hasn't lived up to the upside it possessed. However, Carr, Mensah, and Chambliss have wonderful opportunities to step up on these big stages. Should their respective teams not make the playoffs, this might be the biggest test for them this season.
The Yhonzae Pierre against Jordan Seaton matchup might be the best between NFL Draft prospects. Seaton has NFL left tackle upside, but still has inconsistencies in his game. Pierre's power and craft will test that.
