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5 College Football Matchups Impacting 2015 NFL Draft In Week 9

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: 5 College Matchups To Watch In Week 9

Week 9 NFL Draft Matchups
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With only two games between top 25 teams, Week 9 may seem lackluster compared to the last couple weeks of college football. Without marquee games, this is a great week to watch the individual battles that will take place between NFL prospects. Here are five of the key matchups to watch that will impact the 2015 NFL Draft.

5. Boise State RB Jay Ajayi vs. BYU Run Defense

Jay Ajayi Boise State BYU
Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

5. Boise State RB Jay Ajayi vs. BYU Run Defense

Jay Ajayi Boise State BYU
Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Ajayi has had a roller coaster season for Boise State. He looks like a star in some games, yet completely disappears in others. For example, Ajayi has rushed for over 150 yards four times this season. In the other three games, he's rushed for 39, 63 and 86 yards. Expect this to be another game in which Ajayi fails to reach the century mark. BYU is the seventh-ranked run defense in the country and has held every RB this season under 75 yards.

4. Syracuse OT Sean Hickey vs. Clemson DE Vic Beasley

Sean Hickey Vic Beasley Syracuse Clemson
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

4. Syracuse OT Sean Hickey vs. Clemson DE Vic Beasley

Sean Hickey Vic Beasley Syracuse Clemson
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

When Syracuse and Clemson met last season, the game, and this matchup were one-sided affairs. Clemson won the game 49-14 and Vic Beasley beat LT Sean Hickey on numerous occasions. Beasley finished the game with two sacks and four tackles for loss. Syracuse did have success running the ball against the Tigers last season and are expected to rely heavily on the run game again. Beasley is my No. 1 OLB prospect while Hickey has a Round 4 grade.

3. Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon vs. Tennessee ILB A.J. Johnson

T.J. Yeldon Alabama Tennessee
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3. Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon vs. Tennessee ILB A.J. Johnson

T.J. Yeldon Alabama Tennessee
Getty Images

In Alabama's win over Tennessee last year, T.J. Yeldon scored three touchdowns, all of which were one-yard runs. Despite a slow start to the season, Yeldon had his best game of the season last week against Texas A&M. When facing Alabama last year, A.J. Johnson finished with a game-high 10 tackles. He's been the leading tackler in the Volunteers' last six games, including a season-high 17 against a run-heavy Georgia offense.

2. Michigan TE/WR Devin Funchess vs. Michigan State CB Trae Waynes

Devin Funchess Michigan Trae Waynes Michigan State
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

2. Michigan TE/WR Devin Funchess vs. Michigan State CB Trae Waynes

Devin Funchess Michigan Trae Waynes Michigan State
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

In this year's battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the best matchup will be between first-round talents Devin Funchess and Trae Waynes. Since Funchess was primarily a TE last year, he was often covered by Spartan safeties. Now lining up as a WR, Funchess will be blanketed by CB Trae Waynes. Funchess was targeted a dozen times against the Spartans last year and will likely see as many, if not more targets on Saturday.

1. Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong vs. Washington CB Marcus Peters

Jaelen Strong Arizona State Marcus Peters Washington
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

1. Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong vs. Washington CB Marcus Peters

Jaelen Strong Arizona State Marcus Peters Washington
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Although Arizona State won this game last year, Marcus Peters shut down Jaelen Strong. Peters recorded an interception while covering Strong, and held the Sun Devils' top WR to three receptions for a career-low seven yards. Peters has surpassed corners P.J. Williams and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu this year as the top draft-eligible CB. Strong is coming off an eight-catch game against a tough Stanford secondary. He could also play his way into Round 1.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: 2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Raised Their Stock In Week 8

2015 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Hurt Their Stock In Week 8

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