Commentary

Andrew Luck shines against USC

The Stanford quarterback proved why he's likely the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft

Originally Published: October 31, 2011

By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.

Now that Week 9 of the college football season is in the books, here is my stock report from this past weekend's games. As always, I'll examine players who played well during the weekend and saw their stocks rise while also looking at the players who disappointed and saw their stock fall. This week, a couple of quarterbacks saw their stock rise, while the Razorbacks' offensive line was exposed.

Stock up

Nebraska Cornhuskers RB Rex Burkhead
Burkhead was a workhorse in Nebraska's 24-3 win over Michigan State, carrying 35 times for 130 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns and a getting a third on a 17-yard pass from Taylor Martinez. Burkhead shows great instincts and vision as an inside runner, finishing his carries with good pad level and churning his legs for extra yards. Nebraska's win creates a logjam atop the Legends Division in the Big Ten, with Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa and the Cornhuskers all having one conference loss.

Stanford Cardinal QB Andrew Luck and WR Griff Whalen
It certainly wasn't Luck's best performance, but he made several impressive, tough throws under pressure and showed the ability to make necessary in-game adjustments versus the complex coverage looks presented to him by Monte Kiffin's USC defense.

To read the complete Week 9 stock report from Todd McShay, including what he thought of Landry Jones and Russell Wilson's performances, sign up for ESPN Insider.