2017 Week 9 college football players to watch

Adams seems to be a consistent name on this list. He's been a great player all season but doesn't seem to get the love as some of the other big-time backs. Last week against USC, Adams ran for 191 yards and three touchdowns and has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards on the season. What's amazing is he's averaging 9.2 yards per carry, which can happen when you're breaking off 84-yard runs like he did against the Trojans. He goes up against a stout N.C. State defense this week in what should be a whale of a game. 

It's no secret Barkley is at or near the top of most Heisman watch lists, but his performance last week against Michigan was something to see. No, his stats (108 yards rushing, 53 yards receiving, 3 total TDs) weren't as eye-popping as they've been thus far this season, but he was everywhere on that field. He busted a 69-yard TD run and made an acrobatic 43-yard TD catch. He took direct snaps and lined up as a wide receiver. Penn State heads to Ohio State this week in an absolutely huge game that could go a long way toward his Heisman candidacy — and Penn State's College Football Playoff hopes.  

The Buckeyes have a big opportunity in front of them as they host No. 2 Penn State Saturday. Barrett's success will most certainly be tied to what they will do against the Nittany Lions. He's thrown for 21 TDs this season with just one interception and run for another five scores. This kind of game is one Barrett should cherish in order to shake off those detractors who have been riding him for nearly his entire career in Columbus. Win and Ohio State has a great chance at a playoff spot.

N.C. State's front seven has played so well this season, and Chubb is the star among the bunch. His power and burst have been disruptive to opponents and vaulted the Wolfpack to a 6-1 record and a No. 14 ranking. He's rising up draft charts as well and is even getting some Heisman run. N.C. State goes up against Notre Dame in a huge non-conference matchup. Chubb will need to be at his best to take on the Fighting Irish rushing attack.

Ferguson may be one of the best quarterbacks you haven't noticed. He's thrown for over 2,200 yards and 20 TDs and has his Tigers ranked at No. 24. You may remember him for throwing six touchdowns against UCLA in a 48-45 win over the Bruins or his seven TDs thrown against UConn a few weeks ago. With wins over Houston and Navy, Memphis is becoming a strong lock to get to the AAC Championship Game riding Ferguson's arm. The Tigers get Tulane this weekend, and he should continue to pile up the stats. 

In this day and age, you don't see fullbacks as integral parts of these high-flying college offenses. However, Flowers is one of those fullbacks. He's a big-time goal line option, scoring six TDs this season (3 rush, 3 receiving). He's not just a goal line back either — he's made some huge plays in the passing game, including a 52-yard TD reception against Baylor. As the schedule gets tougher for the Sooners, guys like Flowers will be important. 

Grier came up big in a huge road win over Baylor. He threw for 375 yards and five TDs against the Bears and now leads the nation in touchdown passes. The Florida transfer has been outstanding for the Mountaineers. Even though they've lost twice, Grier hasn't had a bad game. In the last two weeks, he has thrown 10 TDs and just one interception. With Oklahoma State coming into Morgantown Saturday, Grier needs to continue his great play if he wants to keep West Virginia in the Big 12 race.

While Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley rightfully get all the attention, Hamilton has been a very important cog of the Nittany Lions' offense and their success. He is fourth in the conference in receiving yards. Last week against Michigan, Hamilton caught six passes for 115 yards. In every game this season, he's caught at least one pass for at least 20 yards. Against Ohio State this week, he will need to keep making big plays if Penn State wants to stay undefeated.

You may not hear much about Hill until he starts playing on Sundays in the NFL, but this is a great cover corner. Against Oklahoma State last week, he held one of the best receivers in the country, James Washington, to just four catches and 32 yards. Opposing quarterbacks don't like throwing his way at all (again, he did this against Mason Rudolph). In the Longhorns' first two games, Hill picked off a pass and returned it for a TD in each one. Hill and the Longhorns go up against a Baylor team that, while down, still loves to sling the ball around. Maybe the Bear will try to sling it Hill's way.

Utah State hosts Boise State in a key Mountain West contest, and the Aggies have some hope in toppling the Broncos. Last week against UNLV, quarterback Jordan Love made his first start and sparkled (316 yards passing, 2 passing TDs, rushing TD). He had touchdown passes of 70 and 75 yards, becoming the first Utah State QB to have three passes of at least 70 yards since 2014. All this came a week after a woeful performance against Wyoming in which Love threw three picks. If the Aggies look to upset Boise State, it all starts with Love.

The Yellow Jackets' game at Clemson is bigger than you might think. Georgia Tech is 4-2 this year with both losses coming by one point (Tennessee, Miami). The rushing attack is so hard to prepare for and a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Leading the way is Marshall, whose 704 yards rushing and 11 TDs lead the team. He rarely passes (his 11 attempts vs. Wake Forest last week was a season high) but is so effective running the triple-option that he could become a star with a big game against the defending champs.

Montgomery and Iowa State have been on quite a roll of late. After their shocking win over Oklahoma, the Cyclones have gone on to beat Kansas and Texas Tech. Against Kansas, Montgomery ran in three TDs. Last week against Texas Tech he ran for 164 yards. Iowa State is now ranked and will host No. 4 TCU at Jack Trice Stadium in what has surprisingly become a big game in the Big 12. Montgomery will need to have a big game against the Big 12's best run defense.

Stats-wise, Rosen is second in the nation in passing yards. He's thrown 19 TD passes and presided over one of most exciting offenses in the country. The Bruins are just 4-3, however, and have lost every road game they've played. They're on the road against Washington this week in what should be another shootout. Rosen has thrown seven of his eight interceptions on the road and is going against one of the more efficient passers in Jake Browning. If UCLA has designs on turning its season around, Rosen must limit his turnovers. 

Everyone is entitled to a tough game, and you can excuse Rudolph's performance against Texas last week. With a banged-up offensive line, Mike Gundy went more conservative than usual, and the Cowboys won a clunker over the Longhorns due to their defense. Rudolph must play better as Oklahoma State heads to West Virginia this week in what should turn into a regularly scheduled shootout. The Cowboys haven't thrilled in their last few big games so Rudolph may need to carry the team on his shoulder — or right arm. 

Want a big play? Go to Sills. Need a touchdown? Throw it to Sills. That's what West Virginia's Will Grier has done all season long. Sills leads the FBS with 15 touchdown receptions (the second best player has nine). He has caught three touchdowns in each of his last two games and eight total in the last three games. Even in big games, he shows up. Expect the same as the Mountaineers welcome Oklahoma State to Morgantown Saturday.

Sweat has been on a roll of late. He's recorded a sack in each of his last three games, including 1.5 sacks against Kentucky last week. The Bulldogs head into College Station to take on Texas A&M for ESPN's Saturday night game. Sweat is an edge rusher who has made the rounds over his first three college seasons. He began his college career at Michigan State and made a detour to Copiah-Lincoln C.C. for his sophomore season before coming to Mississippi State. In his short time in Starkville, he has become a dangerous pass rusher who has the speed to cover a lot of ground. 

Tate has become the first Pac-12 player to win Offensive Player of the Week awards for three consecutive weeks since the 1980s. Last week against Cal, Tate threw for 166 yards and two TDs and rushed for another 137 yards and a score. In his last three games — all wins — Tate has rushed for 694 yards and seven touchdowns. While he isn't a prolific passer, in those three wins he is 31-of-41 for 468 yards and four TDs. Arizona hosts Washington State this week in what has suddenly become an interesting game with a lot on the line for both teams.

It must be nice for Wisconsin to have a guy like Taylor running the football. He's scored a touchdown in every game this season and has run for at least 126 yards in five games and at least 80 yards in each game. The freshman trails only Heisman front-runner Saquon Barkley in rushing touchdowns and has Wisconsin in a position to win a Big Ten championship. This week, the Badgers head to Illinois to face the Big Ten's worst rushing defense. Look for Taylor to have a big day.