College Football Risers & Fallers: Week 13 NCAAF Stock Watch

Who is trending up and down after Week 12 of the college football season? Read the RotoBaller stock watch report, courtesy of Brant Henson, that covers various players, coaches, and teams.

The college football season continues to fly by as rivalry week approaches. Week 12 brought some more action but no crazy upsets as the biggest week of the regular season looms. 

The noon slate kicked off with Michigan and Louisville both surviving upset attempts, a confident Penn State win, and some SEC teams whooping up on low-level opponents. The midday slate saw James Madison fall in overtime for their first loss of the season, Arizona slaughtered Utah, Iowa claimed the Big Ten West title, and Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, and UCLA won comfortably.

The night slate saw Kansas State, Texas, and Washington earn gritty road wins, Wisconsin clinched bowl eligibility in overtime, and Missouri notched a thrilling win over Florida. Rivalry week is here. This week’s stock report details three rising players, along with a coach on the rise, and four falling teams.

Stock Up

Mike Sainristil, DB, Michigan

Mikey Sainristil single-handedly kept the Wolverines undefeated, snagging two clutch interceptions as Maryland pushed for a late comeback. Sainristil now has five interceptions on the season, proving to be a ballhawk. He has been strong in coverage and should be rising up draft boards.

That's ✌️ INTs today for Mikey Sainristil. 🤩@MikeSainristil x @UMichFootball

📺: FOX/@CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/HiHSeTmZS8

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 18, 2023

Jeff Brohm, Louisville

Jeff Brohm is heading to the ACC championship in year 1 with just one loss as we head into the last week of the regular season. Not a bad debut as the head man at Louisville. The Cardinals have been an exciting team all season long and will be a fun watch next week against Kentucky as well as in the ACC title game against Florida State.

Maliq Carr, TE, Michigan State

Nobody was watching as Michigan State toppled Indiana 24-21, but senior tight end Maliq Carr looked the part. The big man (6-5, 260) put up the best stat line of his career with nine grabs for 100 yards and two scores, showcasing elite athleticism at his size. Carr will play at the next level. Don’t let him fly under the radar.

This Maliq Carr game-winning TD deserves at least one more look. 🤯@maliq_thefreak x @MSU_Football pic.twitter.com/qlhv3AtL12

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 18, 2023

Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona

The freshman sensation continues to prove that size and stars are only numbers. Noah Fifita is listed at 5-11, 194-pounds. He was a three-star prospect, and took over as QB1 for Arizona after incumbent starter Jayden de Laura went down with an injury. Jayden de Laura never got his job back. Fifita has rattled off five straight wins and in the most recent, he torched a good Utah defense on 22-of-30 passing for 253 yards and two scores.

Stock Down

North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina had a longshot to fall into the ACC title game, but that was erased when they fell to Clemson on Saturday. The Drake Maye era in Chapel Hill is coming to a close with just North Carolina State and a bowl game remaining on the schedule.

USC Trojans

USC had playoff aspirations entering the season, but they ended up losing five of their last six in a brutal skid to end the year. The Trojans finished 7-5 and have just a bowl game remaining. It remains to be seen if star quarterback Caleb Williams will play, given he is more than likely off to the NFL. No team had a more disappointing season than Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.

Florida State Seminoles

Florida State may have convincingly taken down North Alabama, but not without paying a price. Star quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a significant leg injury and was carted off the field, significantly hindering the Seminoles’ national title aspirations. Junior quarterback Tate Rodemaker is now tasked with beating Florida and Louisville to navigate the Seminoles into the playoffs.

HOLY SHIT THAT WASN’T GOOD.

Jordan Travis just broke his leg/ankle.

Wishing him a speedy recovery pic.twitter.com/QRtF4r6g4s

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) November 19, 2023

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Year 1 of the Matt Rhule era in Nebraska has been a rollercoaster, as the Cornhuskers just had to win one of their final four games (Michigan State, Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa) to go bowling. They have now lost three straight and have one more shot against the Big Ten West champs. While a signature rivalry win and a bowl game appearance would be considered a success in Year 1, it all comes down to next week for the Huskers.

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