2017 Week 10 college football players to watch

Barrett was outstanding last week in the Buckeyes' come-from-behind victory over Penn State. He had his best passing day of the season (328 yards) as well as his best rushing day (95 yards) in the win. He showed off his poise and leadership and should shut down any of the doubters that have clung to his career — unless, of course, he doesn't show up at Iowa Saturday. The Hawkeyes are formidable, and this sets up as a classic trap game with Ohio State hosting Michigan State in Week 11.

Last week, NC State gave up 318 yards rushing against Notre Dame. While Etienne isn't at the level Josh Adams is right now, he, Tavien Feaster, Adam Choice and Kelly Bryant make up an impressive stable of backs who are capable of putting up big numbers against the Wolfpack. Those four have combined for 1,786 yards and 21 touchdowns. This is a huge ACC Atlantic Division game where the winner will take control of the division.

Last week in the loss to Arizona, Washington State coach Mike Leach benched Falk in favor of Tyler Hilinski. Hilinski did throw for 509 yards and 2 TDs, but he also threw four interceptions. Leach said Falk will start against Stanford Saturday, but we have now seen that Leach could be quick with the hook or may even start running a platoon situation behind center. What was once looking like a promising Cougars season has gotten rocky of late. Falk needs to come alive.

Finley had an off day against Notre Dame last week. He completed just 17 of 37 passes for 213 yards and one TD (as well as an interception). He lost running back Nyheim Hines early and had to carry the bulk of the offense. Hines should be back for the Wolfpack's showdown with Clemson Saturday, but Finley simply must play better. The pick he threw against the Irish was his first of the season, and his 20 incompletions were one less than he had in the previous two games combined. If NC State wants to take control of the division, Finley must play better. 

The last time we saw Guice was two weeks ago when he was tearing apart Ole Miss. He gained 276 yards and scored a TD against the Rebels, which was 65 yards more than what he gained in the four games prior. LSU goes up against juggernaut Alabama this week so the question is, which Guice will show up?

We've all been living under the assumption that Alabama is undoubtedly the best team in the nation, and we're just trying to figure out what three teams will join the Crimson Tide in the playoff. That was until the playoff rankings came out and not only was the Tide not ranked No. 1, but wasn't even the top-ranked SEC team. Needless to say, Nick Saban now has motivation. Look to Jalen Hurts as a guy to come up big down the stretch. Alabama has games against LSU (this week), Mississippi State, Auburn and possibly Georgia left, and Hurts will have to step his game up and show everyone who is really the best.

Just what Oklahoma State needed to find — another offensive weapon. In the Cowboys' 50-39 win over West Virginia, King came alive. He rushed for 142 yards and scored two total TDs. His 36 carries in that game were three less than what he totaled in his last five games combined and the most any back has had in the Mike Gundy era. The true freshman brings yet another offensive weapon to a team already loaded with them. As the Cowboys head into Bedlam for their annual battle with rival Oklahoma, Oklahoma State will need everyone at his best to pull off the upset. That includes the new stud running back.

Last week against Northwestern was the best of times and the worst of times for Lewerke and Michigan State. The signal caller had an outstanding game, throwing for 445 yards and 4 TDs. However, that game was a loss and one that the Spartans couldn't really afford. They host Penn State next, who is smarting from a tough loss to Ohio State. The Buckeyes? They'll host Michigan State on the 11th. Lewerke needs to keep up the good work if Sparty has any designs on winning the Big Ten East.

Love sat out the Cardinal's 15-14 win over Oregon State last week with an ankle injury but remains the nation's leading rusher. He is set to play this week against Washington State in an important Pac-12 North tussle. Love's worst game was his last one, in which he "only" rushed for 147 yards and two TDs against Oregon. Stanford needs him after barely squeaking by the lowly Beavers. If Love picks up where he left off, he can stick right near the top of the Heisman watch.

Mayfield played well in his first two Bedlam games, both Oklahoma wins. This version will be a bit different as Oklahoma State is an offensive beast, and Mayfield needs to shoulder more of the load than he has in the last two seasons (a combined 30-of-44, 468 yards, five TDs). Mayfield may need to match those numbers in this game alone to pop the Cowboys. This game is huge. Both are 4-1 in the Big 12, tied with TCU and Iowa State at the top of the standings. Whichever team loses will have a tough time getting to the new Big 12 title game.

When thinking of the Georgia offense, talk usually goes to running back Nick Chubb or freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. However, Michel has been an underrated cog in the Bulldogs' undefeated season. Last week against Florida, he carried the ball just six times but gained 137 yards. Sure, much of that came from his 74-yard jaunt, but that kind of home run playmaking ability makes him so dangerous. Despite having nearly 50 less carries than Chubb, he's 136 yards behind in yardage, and his eight TDs are just one off the pace. 

Milton gets overlooked when talking about the top American Athletic Conference quarterbacks, but he's been good. Last week against Austin Peay, Milton completed 24-of-26 passes for 275 yards and three TDs and ran for another score. In the last five weeks, he's completing 75 percent of his passes while averaging 291 yards per game and 14 total TDs, throwing just two picks. Undefeated UCF's competition gets a bit tougher as the Knights head to 6-2 SMU this week. Milton needs to keep the offense explosive to stay undefeated. 

As Penny goes, so do the Aztecs. Against Boise State and Fresno State, Penny ran for just 112 yards and a TD total, which would be a below-average total for him in just one game. Of course, San Diego State lost both games. Last week against Hawai'i, Penny was back, rushing for a career-high 253 yards in the win. Penny and the Aztecs take on woeful San Jose State this week so he should have another big game. 

Last week against Western Kentucky, Singletary ran for 244 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he's already over 1,000 yards and has 18 TDs (which leads the nation), and he's scored in each of his last seven games. This week he goes up against Marshall in a game where the Conference USA East Division lead is at stake. FAU has the top rushing offense in the conference while Marshall is second in defense.

Spears (pictured, No. 42) was big in the Cyclones' upset win over TCU last week. He recorded nine tackles and the game-sealing interception. The Big 12 has been a grind this season, and the moment you celebrate beating the No. 4 team in the country, you have to begin preparing to face one of the best QBs at his place. Iowa State heads to West Virginia to face Will Grier, and Spears will again need to be everywhere. 

How about Tate and Arizona? The Wildcats are ranked No. 23 as they head to USC to face the Trojans in a huge Pac-12 South Division matchup. Last week in their huge win over Washington State, Tate threw for 275 yards and two TDs and ran for another 146 yards and a TD. He was just named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for a record fourth straight week. Simply put, he's on fire, and the timing couldn't be better.

Taylor has had an outstanding season. The freshman has rushed for 1,185 yards and 11 TDs thus far and is sneaking into the Heisman race. The initial College Football Playoff rankings have the Badgers at No. 9 despite still being undefeated. For them to get one of those playoff berths, they will probably have to win out, including winning the Big Ten Championship Game. Taylor and Wisconsin get started on that as they travel to Bloomington to face Indiana this week.

Wolford was amazing last week against Louisville, throwing for 461 yards and five TDs and even running in another score in the win. He has be efficient, throwing 15 TDs this year with only two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 167.9 — plus he's the Demon Deacons' leading rusher and has rushed for six touchdowns. This week Wake travels to No. 5 Notre Dame to take on the red-hot Irish. A win for Wake Forest makes them bowl-eligible and throws a wrench in Notre Dame's playoff hopes.