Bowl Watch Day 1: 12-20

[MichaelWeston]

So many games

 

Don't forget you can check it out here too.

http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/louisiana-lafayette/90912

 

December 20
Per GBN report
Louisiana -Lafayette (8-4) vs Nevada (7-5); New Orleans Bowl; 11 AM ET; ESPN ... You know your bowl is probably not a classic when the kick-off time is barely after breakfast. And that's pretty much the case in this year's New Orleans Bowl, although Louisiana-Lafayette did win 8 games to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference, while Nevada won 7 including a win over Washington State of the Pac-12. Both teams have a pretty good QB in Cody Fajardo (#17, 6-2, 215) who could get some third-day consideration at the upcoming draft, and ULL's Terrance Broadway (#8, 6-2, 225), an athletic two-way type , who could ultimately end up playing the CFL.  However, Fajardo is probably the only player in this game with a legitimate chance to be drafted this year, although each time has several potential free agent candidates including DE Brock Hekking (#53, 6-3, 255) and OT Kyle Roberts (#66, 6-5, 305) of Nevada and RB Alonzo Harris (#46, 6-0, 235), DT Justin Hamilton (#74, 6-2, 310), and OG Daniel Quave (#67, 6-3, 325) of Louisiana.

Utah State (9-4) vs Texas-El Paso (7-5); New Mexico Bowl; 2:20 PM ET; ESPN ... Maybe the best thing about this game is that neither team has to travel very far to get there, although Utah State is a better-than advertised 9-win team that had to overcome a slew of injuries, including the loss of its top 3 QBs, jst to get to then post-season.  Utah State also has a couple of possible late round prospects including active MLB Nick Vigil (#41, 6-1, 230) and OG Bill Vavau (#68, 6-3, 315), while DE B.J. Larsen (#99, 6-5, 275) and RB Joe Hill (#32, 5-11, 190) could be premium free agents. Meanwhile, UTEP is probably just happy to be anywhere this December as the Miners had their first winning season in a decade. UTEP also hasn't had a player drafted since 2008 and that likely won't change this coming spring, although TE Eric Tomlinson (#87, 6-6, 265) could be a bit of a sleeper.

Colorado State (10-2) vs Utah (8-4); Las Vegas Bowl; 3:30 PM ET; ABC ... This could be Exhibit A of what's wrong with the bowls as ten-win Colorado State certainly deserves a better post-season fate, but play in the wrong conference. Indeed, this would be a very representative game on December 31st if most of the good bowls spots weren't already divvied up among the 5-power conferences. This match-up is also features as much draft talent as any bowl outside the playoffs games. In particular, this game could feature one of the best one-on-one match-ups of the post-season when Utah DE Nate Orchard (#8, 6-4, 255), who had 17.5 sacks this fall, goes up against emerging CSU LT Ty Sambrailo (#51, 6-5, 310). Both are second-round prospects. Meanwhile, Colorado State also has one of the better second-tier QBs in the 2015 draft class in Garrett Grayson (#18, 6-2, 220) who threw for almost 3,800 yards and 32 TDs - against only 6 picks - this fall, while the Rams also have a numer of potential later round or post draft free agent targets including CB Bernard Blake(#23, 5-11, 180), OG Mason Myers (#50, 6-2, 300), TE Kivon Cartwright (#86, 6-3, 245), LBs Aaron Davis (#37, 6-0, 220) and Max Morgan (#40, 6-0, 225) and PK Jared Roberts (47, 6-, 205). Colorado State also has one of the most productive receivers in college football in WR Rashard Higgins (#82, 6-1, 185), who had 89 catches for over 1,600 yards and 16 TDs this fall, but the NFL will have to wait for at least another year as he is just a true sophomore. For its part, Utah has several later round prsopects of its own including CB Eric Rowe (#18, 6-0, 205), OG Junior Salt (#58, 6-2, 315) and TE Westlee Tonga (#80, 6-4, 255).

Air Force (9-3) vs Western Michigan (7-5); Idaho Potato Bowl; 5:45 PM ET; ESPN ... If the previous game has one of the deepest draft groups of any bowl, this game may have the fewest. Of course, as one of the academies, Air Force has an excuse, while WMU has one of the youngest rosters in the country.

Bowling Green (7-6) vs South Alabama (6-6); Camelia Bowl; 9:15 PM ET; ESPN ... This is what first night bowl games are supposed to be all about: two teams with a combined record of 13-12 battling it out! Pro scouts, though, will be tuning in to see South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge (#7, 6-5, 220), a transplanted Canadian with impressive size, mobility and arm strength, although he is still a very much a work in progress. South Alabama has a second potential mid-round prospect this year in veteran TE Wes Saxton (#13, 6-3, 245). On the other hand, the only way BGSU gets to the 2015 draft is to buy a ticket.
 

[HairOnFire]

Colorado State (10-2) vs Utah (8-4); Las Vegas Bowl; 3:30 PM ET; ABC ... This could be Exhibit A of what's wrong with the bowls as ten-win Colorado State certainly deserves a better post-season fate, but play in the wrong conference. Indeed, this would be a very representative game on December 31st if most of the good bowls spots weren't already divvied up among the 5-power conferences. This match-up is also features as much draft talent as any bowl outside the playoffs games. In particular, this game could feature one of the best one-on-one match-ups of the post-season when Utah DE Nate Orchard (#8, 6-4, 255), who had 17.5 sacks this fall, goes up against emerging CSU LT Ty Sambrailo (#51, 6-5, 310). Both are second-round prospects.

 

Watch this one.

 

In my Shits and Giggles mock I almost penciled in Nate Orchard as the Bengals top pick over the much higher rated Bud Dupree. In part because Nate Orchard made the higher rated OT Andrus Peat look stupid and soft when they met. So let's see how he does against the technically sound Sambrailo since the latter is bound to show up in plenty of Bengal mock drafts.

 

BTW, you guys should check out Nate Orchard's bio because IMHO his life story is almost as impressive as the 17.5 sacks that lead the nation.

 

 

 

 

Bowling Green (7-6) vs South Alabama (6-6); Camelia Bowl; 9:15 PM ET; ESPN ... This is what first night bowl games are supposed to be all about: two teams with a combined record of 13-12 battling it out! Pro scouts, though, will be tuning in to see South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge (#7, 6-5, 220), a transplanted Canadian with impressive size, mobility and arm strength, although he is still a very much a work in progress.

 

Bridge was my 5th rounder in Shits and Giggles mock. Stuck him in there as a Christmas gift to Weston and the rest of the haters.  

[MichaelWeston]

You seem like a cool guy.

 

In regards to football,  Orchard seems a bit small to play Defensive end for us. We don't have a player under 270 on the roster who plays end. Now what he will do is give us a great idea about how good the LT is.

 

It's a great day for QBs. 3 that could be on our radar. Where do you do your research? Watch a lot of games or is there a website you like?

[HairOnFire]

You seem like a cool guy.

 

You'll miss me when I'm gone.

 

 

 

 

In regards to football,  Orchard seems a bit small to play Defensive end for us.

 

He's still growing. Used to be a WR but gained more than 40 lbs during his 4 years at Utah. Currently listed at 255-260 but nearly every scouting report notes how lean he is and how he could easily gain more weight and keep his quickness.  

 

To be fair, he doesn't fit the profile of the typical Bengal DE in more ways than one because despite being moved around alot by his coaches, including experiments at OLB, he's most effective playing wide 9 technique. (Lining up outside of the TE.)

[MichaelWeston]

Looking to research these guys a bit before the game. Where do you look?

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000445881/article/gm-utahs-nate-orchard-likely-a-thirdday-pick

[MichaelWeston]

Grayson pulling an Andy Dalton and scoring on a td catch.

[HairOnFire]

Ty Sambrailo: CSU OT Sambrailo struggles in last game Ty Sambrailo - T - COS - Dec. 20 - 8:53 pm et

Colorado State redshirt senior OT Ty Sambrailo struggled to contain star Utah defensive end Nate Orchard in Saturday's lopsided loss to the Utes.
NFL.com's Bryan Fischer wrote that Orchard "got the better of the matchup and won on all cards in a unanimous decision." A formerly high-powered Rams offense mustered only 10 points, though obviously the unhinging of the entire offense can't be blamed on one player, especially a lineman. Still, this was one of the bowl season's biggest matchups, and Sambrailo did not acquit himself well. Coming in, he was a consensually higher rated prospect than the player who ate his lunch. "Sambrailo, who was not matched up against Orchard on every play, did what he could to hold off the Utah defensive line by showing off his power on run blocks and strength in pass protection, but he has had better games against top competition," Fischer wrote. Dec. 20 - 8:53 pm et
Source: NFL.com

[HairOnFire]

Nate Orchard: DE Orchard's shows off varied rush strategy Nate Orchard - DL - UT - Dec. 21 - 12:15 am et

In Saturday's game against Colorado State, Utah redshirt senior edge rusher Nate Orchard "made his living on third down, alternately using speed to challenge [Ty Sambrailo's] range or countering back inside," wrote CBS Sports' Rob Rang.
"Orchard does not possess an electric first-step," Rang wrote. "By varying his rush, however, he leaves tackles off balance and forced to rely on their hands to grasp hold of his jersey. Orchard mitigates this with strong, active hands of his own, which he uses well slap away their reach and dance his way into the backfield." Orchard finished the much-anticipated matchup with one sack and a forced fumble. He finished the season with 18.5 sacks, at least for now hopping over Washington's Hau'oli Kikaha for the FBS lead. Dec. 21 - 12:15 am et
Source: CBS Sports

[MichaelWeston]

Great stuff. I appreciate it.

[HairOnFire]

My take, Orchard v. Sambrailo

 

Fun matchup. Colorado State opened the game running away from Orchard so often that on multiple plays Sambrailo had nothing to block but air while Orchard chased. On one early play Orchard ran down the back near the sideline for no gain, a habit that would continue throughout the game as Colorado State only gains 20 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Orchard was heavily involved in a half dozen of those stops, and set the edge effectively all game long. In fact, the only TD Colorado State scored was a misdirection short pass that occured on the very first play Orchard didn't line up at DE. He had switched to LB on that play, the first of handful of snaps he'd play at that position throughout the game. Fwiw Orchard was never challenged in pass coverage. 

 

Getting back to the early matchup, Colorado State fed Orchard a double team from the very start. Sambrailo rarely attempted to single block Orchard, and the strategy was working to a point. Yet Orchard still managed to make plays, including a brilliant 3rd down rush where swims over Sambrailo before hitting the QB and deflecting the pass. Orchard also managed to beat the double team so quickly on two plays Sambrailo's helper, the OLG, was called for holding Orchard as he streaked past.

 

As the game progressed Utah began moving Orchard around, perhaps in an attempt to shake the double more often. The adjustment paid immediate dividends as Orchard blew up consecutive plays when first shifted over the ORT. That ended a drive and was one of two where Orchard's play was directly responsible for taking points off the board.

 

Finally, it should be noted that Orchard and Sambrailo didn't face each other roughly 20-25% of the time. In fact, in this game Orchard not only played a half dozen snaps at LB but also at lined up at four DL positions, including DT. Also of note, Sambrailo was partially responsible for surrendering a sack when he wasn't facing Orchard.

 

Bottom Line: This game can only help Orchard climb in the rankings where I've seen him projected to go from very early 2nd to mid 3rd round. Further, I think Sambrailo's performance will prompt questions.