Bowl Watch Day 9 1-1-2015

[MichaelWeston]

GBNreport

#3 FLORIDA STATE (13-0) vs. #2 OREGON (12-1); Rose Bowl; 4:30 PM ET; ESPN … The preliminaries are done and its time to get down to the real business in college football defending national champion Florida State, the only remaining unbeaten team in the FBS ranks, faces rising West Coast power Oregon in the first ever DIA non-championship playoff game in college football history with the winner to play the winner of the Alabama-Ohio State Sugar Bowl tilt for the national title on January 12th. And just in case this game didn’t need any more drama, it will also feature the top two QB prospects for the 2015 draft – and just maybe the first two players selected at the upcoming draft – going head-to-head when Florida State redshirt sophomore Jameis Winston (#5, 6-4, 235) and Oregon junior Marcus Mariota (#8, 6-4, 215) lead their respective teams. Certainly, its an opportunity for both to cement their grades with full contingents from both Tampa Bay and Tennessee, which hold the first and second picks at this year‘s draft respectively, sending full contingents of front office personnel including the G.M.s to Los Angeles for the game. In the end, though, there is probably more pressure on Winston who had an up-and-down season this fall that included dealing with a messy off-season situation dealing with an alleged incident of sexual assault.

 

Winston and Mariota, though, are just the tip of the iceberg of talent that will be on the field on Thursday afternoon. In particular, Florida State figures to be the dominant school at the 2015 draft. Indeed, in addition to Winston, junior DT Eddie Goldman (#90, 6-3, 315) and junior CB P.J. Williams (#26, 6-0, 200) are likely first-round picks, while C/T Cam Erving (#75, 6-5, 310), OGs Josue Matias (#70, 6-5, 335) and Tre Jackson (#54, 6-3, 340), junior DE Mario Edwards (#15, 6-3, 295), TE Nick O’Leary (#35, 6-3, 245), junior CB Ronald Darby (#3, 5-11, 190) are all projected second-day candidates. For the mathematically challenged that’s 9 Seminoles likely to go in the top 100 picks more than any other program is expected to have taken in the full 7-rounds of the draft.

 

The irony in this game is that while Oregon doesn’t have the same depth of talent for the 2015 draft as Florida State, the Ducks are probably the favorites on the field, in large part because of how inconsistently the Seminoles played this season. However, the draft cupboard at Oregon isn’t exactly bare after Mariota, although the loss of veteran CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu to a season ending knee injury late in the campaign certainly didn’t help. Oregon, though, still has a couple of huge, athletic 5-tech junior DEs in Arik Armstead (#6-5, 295) and DeForest Buckner (#44, 6-6, 290), both of whom are solid second-day prospects. The Ducks also have an improved offensive line anchored by C Hroniss Grasu (#55, 6-3, 300) and veteran RT Jake Fisher (#75, 6-5, 305), while other Oregon players to watch include DE Tony Washington (#91, 6-2, 245), WLB Derrick Malone (#22, 6-1, 220), CB Troy Hill (#13, 5-11, 170), and OG Hamani Stephens (#54, 6-3, 315).

 

#1 ALABAMA (12-1) vs. #4 OHIO STATE (#12-1); Sugar Bowl; 8:30 PM ET; ESPN … The SEC and Big Ten have been pretty regular dance partners at New Year’s Day bowl games in the BCS era, but none with anywhere near this kind of magnitude, although it still has something of a David versus Goliath feel with the Buckeyes just hoping they can hang with the mighty Crimson Tide. And so much of whether Ohio State can in fact play with Alabama may depend on how well Buckeyes‘ red shirt freshman QB Cardale Jones (#12, 6-5, 250) handles the pressure. Jones, the 3rd QB the Buckeyes have been forced to use this year after Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett were injured, has all of one career start, although he hardly looked out of place in leading OSU to a resounding 59-0 win over Wisconsin in the conference champion. However, other than they fact they both wear red unies, any other similarity between Wisconsin and Alabama is purely coincidental. In fact, even though the Tide is in something of a rebuilding phase, or at least as much as the program under Nick Saban ever rebuilds rather than just reloads, Alabama is the consensus favorite to win the national title; they also figure to be one of the dominant teams at the 2015 draft. Indeed, Alabama has a couple of legitimate top ten junior prospects in silky smooth WR Amari Cooper (#9, 6-1, 205) and physical strong safety Landon Collins (#26, 6-0, 215). Meanwhile, junior RB T.J. Yeldon is a second-day possibility, while Alabama also has several other mid-to-late round prospects in OG Arie Kouandjio (#77, 6-4, 315), WR/KR Christion Jones (#22, 5-11, 190), RT Austin Shepherd (#79, 6-5, 320), MLB Trey DePriest (#33, 6-2, 250), OLB Xzavier Dickson (#47, 6-2, 270), and NT Brandon Ivory (#99, 6-3, 310). The Tide also made a smooth transition at QB where veteran Blake Sims (#6, 6-0, 210) has done a surprisingly efficient job replacing A.J. McCarron after holding off the challenge of junior Jake Coker (#14, 6-5, 230).

Ohio State also has a potential elite opening round prospect in rising DE Joey Bosa (#97, 6-5, 285), but he’s a true sophomore who won’t be draft eligible until next year. Same for star junior LT Taylor Decker (#68, 6-6, 315) who appears likely to return for his senior year next fall. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes’ top prospect for the 2015 draft is DT Michael Bennett (#83, 6-2, 290), a very quick, smart interior defender who figures to get a second round call, while CB Doran Grant (#12, 5-10, 195) is a later second-day candidate. At the same time, veteran TE John Heuerman (#86, 6-5, 255), WR Devin Smith(#9, 6-0, 200), and C Chad Lindsay (#78, 6-3, 305) are later round prospects.

 

Other New Year’s Day bowls:

OUTBACK BOWL Tampa, FL NOON/ET/ESPN2 WISCONSIN (10-3) vs AUBURN (8-4)
This looks to be uninteresting match-up, as long as you discount the humiliation heaped on the Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game. The BADGERS Offense has to work around their weak QB situation and with a new Head Coach as AD BARRY ALVAREZ works the sidelines after the defection of ANDERSEN to oregon State. But with their usual huge OL and record setting RB/MELVIN GORDON/#25/6-1/210, who has already stated his intention to head for the NFL, they will try to jam it down the throats of an Auburn Defense, which couldn’t stop a runny nose most Saturdays last Fall. GORDON seems likely to break the draught of 2 straight years without a 1st Round RB in the NFL Draft. He has speed to burn, great vision and excellent field vision. He’s also breaking a lot of tackles this year. Other Badgers to watch include; #49/SAM ARNESON/TE/6’4/254; #54/KYLE COSTIGAN/G/C/6’5/315: #73/DENNIS LEWALLEN/G/6’6/320; #78/RON HAVENSTEIN/RT/6’7/327, who is on the Senior Bowl roster. There could be a chance that the Tigers will light up the solid Badgers D with their passing game and option running by QB/NICK MARSHALL/#14/6’1/210, who has improved greatly as a passer this season. SAMMIE COATES/WR/#18/6’2/200, might well be a first rounder in his own right. Other key Tigers to watch are: #44/CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE/RB/5’11/210, SENIOR BOWL; #50/REESE DISMUKES/OC/6’3/296, SENIOR BOWL; #81/C.J. UZOMAH/TE/6’4/260; #90/GABE WRIGHT/DT/6’3/290, Senior Bowl; #98/ANGELO BLACKSON/DT/6’4/305; #25/TAVON REED/CB/5’11/195; #9/JERMAINE WHITEHEAD/FS/5’11/195. If MARSHALL outs on a show, the Badgers could get buried again. There is lots of talent here so let’s hope it’s a competitive game.

 

CITRUS BOWL ORLANDO, FL 12:30/ET/ABC MINNESOTA (8-4) vs MISSOURI (10-3)
I guess we could refer to these two teams as Cinderella candidates for the college football season. JERRY KILL/HC continues his marvelous job of rebuilding the Gophers football program and their record and competitive play were a big boost for the much maligned Big 10 this past season. Now they take on the MISSOURI Tigers who surprised most with an SEC Championship game appearance. MInnesota’s lack of speed on both sides of the ball may show up today when Mizzou unleashes it’s vaunted pass-rush, led by #56/SHANE RAY/DE/OLB/6’3/245, who is expected by many to be a high Round 1 Draftee, when/if he declares. MInnesota will need big days on Offense from RB/DAVID COBB/#27/5’11/225, who is a 1,000+-yard rusher, and TE/MAXX WILLIAMS/#88/6’4/255, who emerged as a serious target this season. WILLIAMS dad BRIAN, was a former Round 1 pick and played for almost a decade with the GIANTS. MAXX, has hinted he is coming out for the Draft, which would be a nice boost to a mediocre TE group. Keep an eye on a favorite of mine, who could inflict major damage on Minnesota with his speed RB/RS/MARCUS MURPHY/#6/5’9/195. Other prospects to watch for Minnesota include: #5/DEMIEN WILSON/ILB/6’2/244; #47/CAMERON BOTTICELLI/DT/6’5/295: #2/CEDRIC THOMPSON/SS/5’10/210. B For MIZZOU make note of these guys: #8/DARIUS WHITE/WR/6’3/205; #88/JIMMIE HUNT/WR/6’0/215, my favorite; #21 BUD SASSER/WR/6’2/210; #96/LUCAS VINCENT/DT/6’2/305; #33/MARKUS GOLDEN/DE/6’3/260; #9/BRAYLON WEBB/SS/6’0/205. I think the Gophers will wear down from more speed and depth on the Mizzou sidelines. It could get lopsided late.

 

COTTON BOWL ARLINGTON, TX 12:30/ET/ESPN BAYLOR (11-1) vs MICHIGAN STATE (10-2)
This could be one of the best match-ups of the Bowl Season. These are two teams that arguably would have been in the Play-Offs if it were an 8 team tournament. But their styles are refreshingly different. The Spartans, although they have excellent athletes, are more traditional in their reliance on their Defense to win the day, and the Offense is out there to control the clock and not make mistakes. BAYLOR has a solid defense, but one that flies around and will take chances. Offensively, they are potent-plus with BRYCE PETTY/#14/QB/6’3/230 leading the charge. I think he’s a major QB talent and will be an NFL starter in a couple of years. In most games his biggest challenge is keeping a huge stable of weapons happy. Two of the biggest prospects for Baylor OAKMAN & DRANGO have indicated they intend to stay in school, but lots can happen in the next two weeks. CONNOR COOK/QB/#18/6’4/220 of State has also indicated he will return for his senior year of college. Here are some additional Spartans to watch today; #33/JEREMY LANGFORD/RB/6’/205; #14/TONY LIPPETT/WR/6’3/190; #25/KEITH MUMPHREY/WR/6’0/210; #89/SHILIQUE CALHOUN/DE/6’4/260/JR; #34/TAIWAN JONES/ILB/6’3/250; #15/TRAE WAYNES/CB/6’1/185; #27/KURTIS DRUMMOND/FS/6’1/200. LANGFORD, LIPPETT * DRUMMOND are all committed to play in the Senior Bowl. For Baylor these guys are legit NFL prospects: #5/ANTWAN GOODLEY/WR/5’1-/220, SR BOWL; #42/LEVI NORWOOD/WR/6’1/195; #58/SPENCER DRANGO/OT/6’5/315/JR; #2/SHAWN OAKMAN/DE/6’9/275/SO; BRYCE HAGER/ILB/6’2/235/SHRINE; #36/SPENCER ROTH/P/6’4/225/Shrine. This is my must watch day game this New Year’s Day.

[JC]

Jesus.  Oakman is a freak.

[MichaelWeston]

Thought on Bryce Petty?

[MichaelWeston]

Just read up on Oakman. Seems like a high risk high reward guy.

[Jason]

Devin Smith is all over the draft boards.  I have seen him as low as UDFA and as high as round 2.  He has first round tools, and makes the occasional great catch, but has been inconsistent (but much better this year).  A good combine performance, particularly catching the ball, and I think he's a Friday pick.

[JC]

Thought on Bryce Petty?

I wouldn't.  I think he's the next in the line of spread QB busts.  A lot of short passes, where he doesn't drop at all.  He's going to learn how to do 3,5, and 7 stop drops at the next level.  Nice arm, but his OC is reading all the defenses for him right now.

[bengalsfan850]

Thought on Bryce Petty?

pass, system QB