Another weekend of college football is upon us, loaded with quality matchups all around the SEC. Showdowns between Florida-Alabama and LSU-Mississippi State headline this weekend’s slate of games, but there are plenty of other competitive games on the docket as well.

Here are three players who might “boom” this weekend, and three who might “bust” with a lackluster performance:

BOOM

  1. Vernon Hargreaves III: Florida’s top cornerback may also be the top cover corner in the SEC, and he’ll have his work cut out for him Saturday against Alabama wideout Amari Cooper, one of the top pass-catchers in the conference. Hargreaves will boom in this weekend’s showdown for two reasons: 1) the high level of exposure he’ll receive when matchup up opposite Cooper and 2) his ability to take advantage of Alabama’s quarterbacks, especially Blake Sims. Sims has shown early in the year he is very fond of Cooper, which is appropriate considering Cooper is among the best wideouts in the nation. However, Hargreaves has a few tricks up his sleeve, and if he cannot eliminate Cooper from the game entirely, he’ll do all he can to make a play to take advantage of Sims’ modest abilities as a passer. Perhaps he’ll bait Sims, or perhaps Sims will force a ball to his best playmaker when he shouldn’t. Either way, Hargreaves is going to make a big play at some point in this game, which could give Florida a faint chance at an upset over the Crimson Tide.
  2. Dak Prescott: Anyone who remain unfamiliar with Mississippi State’s dual-threat quarterback will know his name after Saturday night’s game in Death Valley. The redshirt junior has thrown for four touchdowns twice in three weeks, and has rushed for 100 yards twice in that same time. He can beat opposing defenses a number of ways, even catching three career touchdown passes from wideout Jameon Lewis. The Bulldogs’ defense matches up well with LSU’s offense, and should keep Mississippi State close on the scoreboard into the second half. That second half will be Prescott’s time to shine, as the Mississippi State offense is only poised to go as far as he can lead it. Watch for Prescott to establish the passing game with a few safe throws, then try and beat the Tigers defense with his legs in big moments. State has a solid chance at an upset in this game, and Prescott is a huge reason why.
  3. Maty Mauk: Mauk has looked better each and every week at the helm of the Missouri offense, and he should have a huge game this weekend against a mediocre Indiana team. The sophomore is completing 62 percent of his passes this season, throwing for 12 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. He has also rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, proving he is athletic enough to make defenses pay if left with no other options on a given play. The Hoosiers lost last weekend against Bowling Green, which has nowhere near the offensive firepower Mizzou possesses, especially not at quarterback. Mauk should pick Indiana apart in the first half before spending plenty of time relaxing on the sideline while the reserves play out garbage time in a Tigers rout.

BUST

  1. Jeff Driskel: Florida’s starting quarterback looked far from impressive in a nail-biter against Kentucky, especially on plays when wideout Demarcus Robinson was unavailable in the passing game. The Cats victimized Driskel time and time again with edge pressure and blitzes from the secondary, and the redshirt junior is sure to see more of the same against an athletic, savvy Alabama defense. The Crimson Tide will likely sell-out to stop the Gators’ rushing attack early in the game, forcing the offense to run through Driskel and the passing game. If Driskel plays like he did last week or any time last season, Florida doesn’t stand a chance on offense.
  2. Patton Robinette: It seems unfair to continue picking on Vanderbilt, but it is very unlikely Robinette will play as well against South Carolina as he did last week against UMass in the Commodores’ first win of the year. The sophomore appears to be Vandy’s most capable quarterback, but he’s also taken his fair share of punishment from opposing defenders in his year-plus at VU. The Gamecocks might dial up the pressure early, which would rattle Robinette in the pocket. Even if the pass rush doesn’t reach him, Robinette could become unsettled at the sheer prospect of a blitz, forcing himself into mistakes at the helm of a mediocre offense. The sophomore signal caller is a fine player, but even against a struggling South Carolina defense he’ll have a hard time leading the ‘Dores to more than one or two sustained drives all game long.
  3. Aarion Penton/John Gibson: Missouri’s starting cornerbacks may have their hands full with talented Indiana wideout Shane Wynn, who leads the team with 12 catches for 147 yards through two games, an average of more than 12 yards per reception. Wynn has been one of few productive options in IU’s passing game, which could make Penton and Gibson’s jobs a bit easier. However, Missouri’s defense has struggled at times against three modest opponents, ranking eighth in the SEC in pass defense. Although the chances of a Hoosiers upset are slim, the Mizzou secondary cannot afford to lose track of Wynn, or it could be a bust of a day for Penton and Gibson.