Pac-12: NFL Draft prospect watch -- Week 12

The UCLA-USC game was a big one for NFL prospects. UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin and TE Joseph Fauria as well as USC RB Curtis McNeal improved their draft stock in the Bruins' win over the Trojans.

By John Breech

Nov 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm ET • 3 min read

USC's defense spent a lot of time chasing down UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin on Saturday. Franklin ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the Bruins win. (US Presswire)

Here's the latest on the Pac-12's top players who are projected to go from playing on Saturdays to starring on Sundays.

1. RB Johnathan Franklin, 5-11, 195, UCLA

Why he has the top spot: The Bruins clinched a spot in the Pac-12 title game with a 38-28 win over rival USC on Saturday and that's thanks in large part to Franklin. The senior running back carried the ball 29 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Franklin's performance was a far cry from last season's, when he ran for only 55 yards in the Bruins' 50-0 loss to USC.

Season stats (11 games): 228 carries, 1,441 yards, 10 touchdowns; 26 receptions, 290 yards, two touchdowns.

Player ranking: Franklin is ranked 123rd overall and is the 10th-highest rated RB in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.

Up next: If you're into physics, you'll want to make sure to watch UCLA on Saturday, when the irresistible force (Franklin) meets the immovable object (Stanford's defense). Franklin's 131 yards rushing per game ranks fifth nationally, but he'll have a tough time reaching that number going up against a Cardinal defense that ranks second nationally against the run.

2. TE Zach Ertz, 6-6, 252, Stanford

Why he has the second spot: Ertz shot up 11 spots this week in CBSSports.com's player rankings, which should shock no one, considering the game he had in the Cardinal's upset of No. 1 Oregon. The Duck defense had no answer for Stanford's 6-6 tight end as Ertz hauled in 11 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Ertz's controversial 10-yard touchdown catch with 1:35 left in the fourth quarter is what eventually sent the game into overtime.

Season stats (11 games): 58 receptions, 747 yards, six touchdowns.

Player ranking: Ertz is ranked 42nd overall and is the second-highest rated TE in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Ertz was 53rd overall last week.

Up next: Ertz could have another big game Saturday as Stanford goes up against a UCLA pass defense that's ranked 10th in the Pac-12. The stakes for the Cardinal: If Stanford wins, it will host the Pac-12 championship game Nov. 30. If Stanford loses, Oregon could jump into the Pac-12 title game with a win over Oregon State.

3. RB Curtis McNeal, 5-7, 190, USC

Why he has the third spot: McNeal was overshadowed by UCLA's Franklin in USC's loss to the Bruins on Saturday, but that doesn't mean he didn't have a big game. The senior running back rushed for 161 yards and averaged an impressive 7.7 yards per carry. McNeal has topped 160 yards in each of the Trojans last two games, which has his draft stock soaring.

Season stats (nine games): 104 carries, 658 yards, two touchdowns; seven receptions, 111 yards, one touchdown.

Player ranking: McNeal is ranked 379th overall and is the 28th-highest rated RB in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. McNeal was 415th overall and the 32nd-highest rated RB last week.

Up next: McNeal's draft stock could continue to soar after Saturday if he has a big game against BCS No. 1 Notre Dame. A lot of eyes will be watching and a lot of those eyes will belong to NFL scouts.

Keep an eye on: TE Joseph Fauria, 6-7, 255, UCLA

Why you should watch him: Stanford's Ertz wasn't the only tight end that had a big day Saturday -- so did Fauria. In the Bruins' 38-28 win over USC, the senior tight end caught four passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Fauria now has five touchdowns in UCLA's last four games.

Season stats (11 games): 35 receptions, 478 yards, 10 touchdowns.

Player ranking: Fauria is ranked 151st overall and is the sixth-highest rated TE in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.

Up next: Two of the nation's best tight ends will be on display Saturday when UCLA hosts Stanford. Both Ertz and and Fauria were named Mackey Award semifinalists (best tight end) this month. Fauria may be looking to show up Ertz after Ertz was named a finalist Monday and Fauria wasn't.

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