5 College Football Matchups Impacting 2015 NFL Draft In Week 13

By Shawn Spencer

5 College Football Matchups Impacting 2015 NFL Draft In Week 13

UCLA vs. USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the SEC basically taking the week off (sorry Eastern Kentucky, Charleston Southern and Western Carolina), there isn't expected to be a lot of movement at the top of the rankings. So instead of focusing on the games, the focus turns to the individual matchups. Here are the five matchups you should be watching that will impact the 2015 NFL Draft.

5. Louisville WR DeVante Parker vs. Notre Dame CB Cody Riggs

DeVante Parker Cody Riggs
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

5. Louisville WR DeVante Parker vs. Notre Dame CB Cody Riggs

DeVante Parker Cody Riggs
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Although he's only played in three of the team's 10 games, DeVante Parker is Louisville's leading receiver. While Parker is finally healthy, Cody Riggs is still trying to recover from a foot injury. He's missed Notre Dame's last two games, both losses. He's expected to see limited action, but Parker's presence on offense may force Riggs into a larger role than the Irish want. Parker is my No. 2 WR while Riggs has a third-round projection.

4. East Carolina WR Justin Hardy vs. Tulane CB Lorenzo Doss

Justin Hardy East Carolina
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

4. East Carolina WR Justin Hardy vs. Tulane CB Lorenzo Doss

Justin Hardy East Carolina
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

History is likely to be made in East Greenville, NC when East Carolina hosts Tulane. After a 15-catch performance against Cincinnati last week, ECU WR Justin Hardy is only four catches away from breaking Ryan Broyles' FBS record for career receptions. Hardy should set the record this week, but it won't be easy. Doss is a top-10 CB who should be selected in Round 3 of the draft. These are the two best draft prospects in the American Conference.

3. Boston College C Andy Gallik vs. Florida State DT Eddie Goldman

Eddie Goldman Boston College
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

3. Boston College C Andy Gallik vs. Florida State DT Eddie Goldman

Eddie Goldman Boston College
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College pulled off a significant early-season upset of USC earlier this season by running the football. The Eagles gained 452 yards rushing in the victory. If Boston College is going to shock the college football world again, Andy Gallik and the offensive line will need to enforce their will against the Seminoles. The best matchup on the line will be the one between Gallik and Eddie Goldman.

2. Minnesota RB David Cobb vs. Nebraska Run Defense

David Cobb Nebraska
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Minnesota RB David Cobb vs. Nebraska Run Defense

David Cobb Nebraska
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon ran for a record 408 yards against Nebraska, what kind of totals will David Cobb accumulate? The senior, who was surprisingly not named one of the 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award Wednesday, will have a little extra motivation when taking on the Cornhuskers. He's already set career-highs for rushing yards and touchdowns this season. He's currently my No. 11 RB prospect, but his arrow is pointing up.

1. UCLA QB Brett Hundley vs. USC DL Leonard Williams

Brett Hundley Leonard Williams
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. UCLA QB Brett Hundley vs. USC DL Leonard Williams

Brett Hundley Leonard Williams
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Two players who were vying to be the No. 1 overall pick at the beginning of the season will face off at the Rose Bowl. Although Williams has had the better season, Hundley has never lost to USC. In two games, Hundley has completed over 70 percent of his passes and scored five touchdowns. Williams may be the favorite to be selected first overall in April, but beating UCLA is something he has yet to accomplish. He'll be pressuring Hundley all game.

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 Players Who Raised Their Stock In Week 12
2015 NFL Draft: 5 Players Who Hurt Their Stock In Week 12

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