The top sleepers on offense in the 2021 NFL draft

Drafts produce sleepers. On the offensive side of the football players like Brady White, Jaelon Darden and Spencer Brown are contenders.

The power of the fully operational “Draft Industrial Complex” has perhaps led to the death of one of draft season’s best aspects:

The sleepers.

With scouts and media members working around the clock, around the calendar year, to scout and identify talent it is harder and harder to find those true diamonds in the rough. After all, we all know that once the 2021 NFL draft draws to a close, the process will start almost immediately for the 2022 cycle. That means almost a full calendar year of watching players. Given the sheer number of people now covering the draft in some capacity, sooner or later everyone will get around to watching that small school quarterback from a Division 2 school that truly has the ability to make all the throws.

Still, there are some players on the offensive side of the football that for whatever reason have not gotten a ton of coverage this cycle. To that end, here are the top sleepers on offense in the 2021 NFL draft.

The top five quarterbacks Wisconsin will face during the 2020 season

The key to success on the football field often comes down to one simple variable: quarterback play….

The key to success on the football field often comes down to one simple variable: quarterback play.

The last 20 Heisman Trophy winners? 17 quarterbacks.

The last 10 national champions? Six teams that also had the nation’s best-performing quarterback at the time.

I wrote yesterday about Jack Coan‘s career and why he’s the best thing the Badgers have had at quarterback since Russell Wilson.

No, he’s not on the level of fellow Big Ten quarterbacks Justin Fields and Tanner Morgan. But Wisconsin is set to enter the 2020 season with the best option they’ve had at quarterback in years.

Football is still obviously an extremely-complex game, and there will be many variables that play into the Badgers’ success or lack thereof this year. Nevertheless, whether the team is able to win their first Big Ten championship since 2012 will come down in large part to how Coan performs compared to the opposing signal caller.

So, here are the top five quarterbacks the Badgers will face during the 2020 season:

(For a power ranking of every Big Ten quarterback see my article from last month)

5. Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana)

NCAA Football: Indiana at Maryland — Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Penix Jr. battled injuries a season ago but showed mile-high potential when he began the year by leading Indiana to their best start since 1993.

His 2019 season ended with six games played, 1394 passing yards, 69% completion, 8.8 adjusted passing yards per attempt (AY/A), 10 touchdowns and four interceptions in addition to 22 carries, 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The Florida native is now healthy entering the 2020 season as he will work to improve upon his impressive showing from 2019 when he was healthy.

I give Coan the edge in this matchup as with a significantly-shortened offseason, or no live offseason at all, experience will be key at the position. Penix Jr. has a bright future but his 2020 outlook isn’t quite on the level as that of Coan.

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Louisiana at Appalachian State odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Sun Belt Championship Game betting odds between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt West) and Appalachian State Mountaineers (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt East) meet in the Sun Belt Championship Game for the second consecutive season. We analyze the Louisiana-Appalachian State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Louisiana at Appalachian State: Three things you need to know

1. App State has the SBC Offensive Player of the Year in RB Darrynton Evans, who posted 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, while also adding three scores through the air and a kickoff return for a touchdown. He had 218 all-purpose yards with a 97-yard kickoff TD in last season’s title game vs. the Ragin’ Cajuns.

2. These teams hooked up Oct. 9 in Lafayette and it was surprisingly a defensive battle, going in favor of App State by a 17-7 count. The total on that game was set at 69.5.

3. The Ragin’ Cajuns rank eighth the nation in total yards (500.3) and 12th in points scored (38.8). The Mountaineers rank 18th in the country in rushing yards (226.0) and 11th in points scored (38.9).

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Louisiana at Appalachian State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Appalachian State 33, Louisiana 27

Moneyline (ML)

App State (-223) is a little too expensive for a battle between two 10-win teams. While the Mountaineers are at home, remember, they fell to Georgia Southern in Boone last month. The Ragin’ Cajuns (+180) have some tremendous weapons in QB Levi Lewis and RB Elijah Mitchell, and this game really could go either way if the turnover battle is heavily skewed in one direction.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on an outright win for App State will return a profit of $4.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. App State (-6.5, -110) is a tempting play at less than a touchdown, but Louisiana (+6.5, -110) has the horses to either win this one outright, or make it a one-possession game. The Mountaineers won their final three games by a combined 86 points, but that was against the dregs of the SBC and not a quality team like Louisiana. My lean would be with the Cajuns, ever so slightly, but I am not playing it.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 56.5 (-115) is your best bet if you’re looking to play the SBC title game. These teams each have explosive running backs capable of housing it every time. Evans and Mitchell have combined for 34 total touchdowns, but there are other players capable of big plays, too, including Ragas and RB Raymond Calais for ULL, and QB Zac Thomas and WR Thomas Hennigan for App State.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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